Akmal Rizal

Akmal Rizal
Personal information
Full name Akmal Rizal Bin Ahmad Rakhli
Date of birth (1981-12-12) 12 December 1981 (age 44)
Place of birth Jitra, Kedah, Malaysia
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position Forward
Team information
Current team
 Kedah FA (head coach)
Youth career
1998 Kedah FA
1999 RC Strasbourg
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999 Kedah FA
1999–2001 RC Strasbourg 0 (0)
1999–2001 → FCSR Haguenau (loan) 36 (10)
2002–2006 Kedah FA 53 (38)
2006–2008 Selangor FA 39 (23)
2009 Kuala Muda Naza 16 (3)
2010 Kelantan FA 18 (10)
2011–2012 Perak FA 45 (14)
2013 Kedah FA 16 (3)
2014 Sarawak FA 5 (1)
2015 Kedah United
Total 242 (107)
International career‡
1998–2004 Malaysia U23 24 (20)
2001–2008 Malaysia 22 (9)
Managerial career
2019 PB Melayu Kedah
2020–2021 Penang (assistant)
2022–2023 Penang U21
2023–2024 Penang
2025 MPKP Kubang Pasu
2025–2026 Kelantan The Real Warriors
2026– Kedah FA
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Malaysia
Malaysia U23
SEA Games
Bronze medal – third place2003 VietnamFootball
Silver medal – second place2001 MalaysiaFootball
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 6 January 2022
‡ National team caps and goals as of 6 December 2013

Akmal Rizal Bin Ahmad Rakhli (born 12 December 1981) is a former Malaysian professional footballer who played as a forward. He is one of the batch of Malaysians to play overseas. He is currently the head coach of the Malaysia A1 Semi-Pro League club Kedah FA.

Club career

Early career

A product of the Kedah youth academy (Kedah Piala President), Akmal made his way abroad to RC Strasbourg. He made his debut for the RC Strasbourg Academy which ended in a 3–1 win against FC Köln II, scoring 2 goals. In 2000, to aid his development, the then 19-year-old forward joined FCSR Haguenau on loan. He scored 11 goals in 22 games and won Championnat de France Amateur 2. On 20 May 2000, during RC Strasbourg's tour to Malaysia, Akmal and Peguy Luyindula helped them beat GNK Dinamo Zagreb 2–0 in friendly match at the Shah Alam Stadium. He attracted the attention of former Mainz coach Jürgen Klopp.

Kedah FA

In 2002, he returned from abroad and played for his former youth club. In the 2003 Liga Perdana 1, he scored 10 goals in 24 games and become runner-up with the club.

Selangor FA

He then played for Selangor for the 2006–07 Malaysia Super League.

Kuala Muda Naza

In the 2009 Malaysia Super League, he joined the new promoted Kuala Muda Naza.

Kelantan FA

On 12 January 2010, he scored his first goal for Kelantan FA in a 3–0 win against Johor FA. Later, he finally won his first Malaysia Cup in the 2010 Malaysia Cup Final after Kelantan beat Negeri Sembilan FA 2-1.

Perak FA

After leaving Kelantan FA, he joined Perak FA and reunited with former national team coach Norizan Bakar.

Kedah FA

He made his second debut on 7 January 2013, appearing as a substitute in a 1–0 win against UiTM F.C.. On 8 March 2013, he scored his first season goal, against Kuala Lumpur FA. He made 16 appearances with Kedah FA before he agreed to join Sarawak FA for the 2014 Malaysia Super League season.

Sarawak FA

On 10 November 2013, Akmal Rizal officially signed a one-year contract with Sarawak FA after being released by Kedah FA.

Kedah United

In 2015, Akmal Rizal played with Kedah United in the FAM League.

International career

He represented Malaysia U23 for the 2001 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur. He also represented Malaysia U23 for the Afro-Asian Games Hyderabad, India in October 2003. In 2002, Akmal was called up for an international friendly match against Brazil. He has also been called up by the Malaysia national team coach Norizan Bakar for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.8 March 2001Hong Kong, Hong Kong Hong Kong2–0Won2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
2.8 March 2001Hong Kong, Hong Kong Hong Kong2–0Won2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
3.25 March 2001Doha, Qatar Palestine4–3Won2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
4.25 March 2001Doha, Qatar Palestine4–3Won2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
5.11 December 2002Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Cambodia5–0WonFriendly
6.18 December 2002Singapore, Singapore Singapore0–4Won2002 Tiger Cup Group Stage
7.20 December 2002Singapore, Singapore Thailand3–1Won2002 Tiger Cup Group Stage
8.12 July 2004Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Singapore2–0WonFriendly
9.21 June 2007Petaling Jaya, Malaysia United Arab Emirates1–3LossFriendly

After retirement

Akmal Rizal retired from playing professionally in 2016. He was the co-commentator for Media Prima Berhad. He also opened a youth football academy in hometown Jitra, while completing the coaching course.

Managerial career

On 27 December 2019, Akmal was hired to become assistant coach for Penang FC. In 2022, he became head coach for Penang U-21. On 7 November 2023, he became Penang caretaker for remaining of the 2023 Malaysia Super League season. He were appointed as the permanent head coach of Penang for the 2024-25 season.

Managerial statistics

As of 8 June 2026
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat. From To Record Ref.
G W D L Win %
Penang Malaysia 7 November 2023 1 November 2024 19388015.79
Kelantan TRW Malaysia 16 October 2025 11 March 2026 194114021.05
Kedah FA Malaysia 8 June 2026 Present 0000!—
Career Total 387922018.42

Honours

Club

FCSR Haguenau

Kedah FA

Selangor FA

Kelantan FA

International

Malaysia U-23

Malaysia U-14

Individual

Coaching

Penang U-21

References

  1. ↑ Ahmad Rizal Ahmad Rakhli - Soccerway.
  2. ↑ Malaysia - Record International Players - RSSSF.
  3. ↑ "Many went – but few succeeded". The Star. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  4. ↑ "AKMAL RIZAL, LEGENDA BOLA SEPAK MALAYSIA YANG SEMAKIN DILUPAKAN" (in Malay). Orang Kita. 2 May 2019. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  5. ↑ "Prêts 1999/2000" (in French). Racingstub. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  6. ↑ "Prêts 2000/2001" (in French). Racingstub. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  7. ↑ "RCS - Zagreb 2-0" (in French). Racingstub.com. 20 May 2000. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  8. ↑ "Mengapa Akmal Rizal pulang ke Malaysia setelah bermain di Liga Perancis?" (in Malay). Arena Bola Sepak. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  9. ↑ Malaysia 2002 - RSSSF.
  10. ↑ Malaysia 2003 - RSSSF.
  11. ↑ "General Information for Selangor FA in 2006/07". National Football Teams.com. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  12. ↑ "General Information for Kuala Muda NAZA in 2009". National Football Teams.com. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  13. ↑ - Malaysia 2010-Liga Super 2010 - RSSSF.
  14. ↑ Malaysia 2010-Cup Tournaments 2010 (Piala Malaysia) - RSSSF.
  15. ↑ "Akmal Rizal Sertai Perak Kerana Mahu Ikut Cikgu Jan" (in Malay). M Star. 30 November 2010. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  16. ↑ http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2013&dt=0310&pub=Kosmo&sec=Sukan&pg=su_02.htm – Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Akmal blast the goal
  17. ↑ http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3875/transfer-zone/2013/11/10/4396882/transfer-news-akmal-rizal-signs-for-sarawak -Akmal Rizal join crocs
  18. 1 2 South East Asian Games 2001 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - Match Details - RSSSF.
  19. ↑ "Afro-Asian Games 2003". RSSSF. 20 August 2020. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  20. ↑ "Seleção Brasileira (Brazilian National Team) 2002-2003". Dennis David Woods RSSSF. RSSSF Brasil. 20 August 2020. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  21. ↑ "Malaysia vs Brazil". Sky Sports at Wayback Machine. 2021. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  22. ↑ "Brazil lawan Malaysia, Stadium Bukit Jalil (2002)". Chedinsphere at Wayback Machine. 2021. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  23. ↑ "Malaysia vs. China 2007-07-10". National Football Teams.com. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  24. ↑ "Dekman tekad lahirkan permata baru bola sepak negara | FourFourTwo". Archived from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  25. ↑ "Akmal sedia tabur khidmat-Harian Metro". 6 November 2019. Archived from the original on 6 November 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  26. ↑ "Ujian getir nanti Akmal" (in Malay). Harian Metro. 27 December 2019. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  27. ↑ "Anak Datuk Nash sertai Piala Presiden Penang FC" (in Malay). Cakap Sukan. 6 January 2022. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  28. ↑ "Akmal Rizal dilantik pengendali sementara Penang FC" (in Malay). Berita Harian. 7 November 2023. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  29. ↑ ISMAIL, HAKIMI (17 January 2024). "Akmal Rizal jadi ketua jurulatih Penang FC". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  30. ↑ "Rizal Akmal" (in French). Racingstub. 26 September 2017. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  31. ↑ "Akmal Rizal bangga pasukannya menang perak" (in Malay). Buletin Mutiara. 23 September 2022. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.