Cohen leads race after first ballot

Andrew Cohen is leading the race for the 2004/05 MFA Footballer of the Year award after yesterday's first vote by journalists and club delegates.

The nippy Hibernians striker collected 73 votes after members from a panel of ten sportswriters and 20 council members cast their vote at the Technical Centre, Ta' Qali.

The race for the award looks tight this year with Malta and Valletta skipper Gilbert Agius close behind Cohen in the provisional poll. Agius drew 67 votes and Birkirkara's William Camenzuli 61.

The only two other players nominated by Premier League clubs this year are Brian Said, of Sliema, and Floriana's Ian Azzopardi.

Cohen was the 2004/05 top scorer in the Premier League with 21 goals, one better off than Sliema's Ivan Woods, a surprise omission from the contestants' list. Stefan Giglio was the 2004 Player of the Year.

The winner is expected to be announced in next Thursday's MFA council meeting.

The MFA general secretary will now revise the tallies of the five nominated players and adjust their points according to respective disciplinary records and appearances for club and country in competitive matches only.

Provisional standings

1. Andrew Cohen 73
2. Gilbert Agius 67
3. William Camenzuli 61
4. Brian Said 57
5. Ian Azzopardi 42