{{Short description|Malaysian footballer (born 1981)}} {{Malay name|Akmal Rizal|Ahmad Rakhli|note=on}} {{EngvarB|date=September 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Akmal Rizal | image = | image_size = | caption = | fullname = Akmal Rizal Bin Ahmad Rakhli | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|12|12}}<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/players/akmal-rizal-ahmad-rakhli/10692/ Ahmad Rizal Ahmad Rakhli] - Soccerway.</ref> | birth_place = Jitra, Kedah, Malaysia | height = {{height|meter=1.70}} | currentclub = Vacant | clubnumber = | position = Forward | youthyears1 = 1998 | youthclubs1 = Kedah FA | youthyears2 = 1999 | youthclubs2 = RC Strasbourg | years1 = 1999 | clubs1 = Kedah FA | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 1999–2001 | clubs2 = RC Strasbourg | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 1999–2001 | clubs3 = → FCSR Haguenau (loan) | caps3 = 36 | goals3 = 10 | years4 = 2002–2006 | clubs4 = Kedah FA | caps4 = 53 | goals4 = 38 | years5 = 2006–2008 | clubs5 = Selangor FA | caps5 = 39 | goals5 = 23 | years6 = 2009 | clubs6 = Kuala Muda Naza | caps6 = 16 | goals6 = 3 | years7 = 2010 | clubs7 = Kelantan FA | caps7 = 18 | goals7 = 10 | years8 = 2011–2012 | clubs8 = Perak FA | caps8 = 45 | goals8 = 14 | years9 = 2013 | clubs9 = Kedah FA | caps9 = 16 | goals9 = 3 | years10 = 2014 | clubs10 = Sarawak FA | caps10 = 5 | goals10 = 1 | years11 = 2015 | clubs11 = Kedah United | caps11 = | goals11 = | totalcaps = 242 | totalgoals = 107 | nationalyears1 = 1998–2004 | nationalyears2 = 2001–2008 | nationalteam1 = Malaysia U23 | nationalteam2 = Malaysia | nationalcaps1 = 24 | nationalgoals1 = 20 | nationalcaps2 = 22<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/malay-recintlp.html Malaysia - Record International Players] - RSSSF.</ref> | nationalgoals2 = 9 | manageryears1 = 2019 | managerclubs1 = PB Melayu Kedah | manageryears2 = 2020–2021 | managerclubs2 = Penang (assistant) | manageryears3 = 2022–2023 | managerclubs3 = Penang U21 | manageryears4 = 2023–2024 | managerclubs4 = Penang | manageryears5 = 2025 | managerclubs5 = MPKP Kubang Pasu | manageryears6 = 2025–2026 | managerclubs6 = Kelantan The Real Warriors | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}} {{MedalCountry|{{fb|MAS}}}} {{MedalTeam|Malaysia U23}} {{MedalCompetition|SEA Games}} {{MedalBronze|2003 Vietnam|Football}} {{MedalSilver|2001 Malaysia|Football}} | club-update = 6 January 2022 | nationalteam-update = 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/others/2020/08/31/many-went---but-few-succeeded|title=Many went – but few succeeded|work=The Star|accessdate=3 August 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831061306/https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/others/2020/08/31/many-went---but-few-succeeded|archivedate=31 August 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is former head coach of the Malaysia Super League club Kelantan The Real Warriors.
==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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://orangkata.my/sukan/akmal-rizal-legenda-bola-sepak-malaysia-yang-semakin-dilupakan/|title=AKMAL RIZAL, LEGENDA BOLA SEPAK MALAYSIA YANG SEMAKIN DILUPAKAN|date=2 May 2019 |language=Malay|publisher=Orang Kita|accessdate=3 August 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519043308/https://orangkata.my/sukan/akmal-rizal-legenda-bola-sepak-malaysia-yang-semakin-dilupakan/|archivedate=19 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2000, to aid his development, the then 19-year-old forward joined FCSR Haguenau on loan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racingstub.com/clubs/20/season/1999/20/loans|title=Prêts 1999/2000|language=French|publisher=Racingstub|accessdate=26 September 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929035319/https://racingstub.com/clubs/20/season/1999/20/loans|archivedate=29 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> He scored 11 goals in 22 games and won Championnat de France Amateur 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racingstub.com/clubs/20/season/2000/20/loans|title=Prêts 2000/2001|language=French|publisher=Racingstub|accessdate=26 September 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929035936/https://racingstub.com/clubs/20/season/2000/20/loans|archivedate=29 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racingstub.com/games/25620/|publisher=Racingstub.com|title=RCS - Zagreb 2-0|language=French|date=20 May 2000|access-date=26 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929025253/https://racingstub.com/games/25620/|archive-date=29 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> He attracted the attention of former Mainz coach Jürgen Klopp.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arenabolasepak.com.my/2019/06/15/mengapa-akmal-rizal-pulang-ke-malaysia-setelah-bermain-di-liga-perancis/|title=Mengapa Akmal Rizal pulang ke Malaysia setelah bermain di Liga Perancis?|language=Malay|publisher=Arena Bola Sepak|accessdate=27 December 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621005832/https://arenabolasepak.com.my/2019/06/15/mengapa-akmal-rizal-pulang-ke-malaysia-setelah-bermain-di-liga-perancis/|archivedate=21 June 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Kedah FA=== In 2002, he returned from abroad and played for his former youth club.<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malay02.html Malaysia 2002] - RSSSF.</ref> In the 2003 Liga Perdana 1, he scored 10 goals in 24 games and become runner-up with the club.<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malay03.html Malaysia 2003] - RSSSF.</ref>
===Selangor FA=== He then played for Selangor for the 2006–07 Malaysia Super League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/club/1569/2006_1/Selangor_Fa.html|title=General Information for Selangor FA in 2006/07|publisher=National Football Teams.com|accessdate=16 December 2017}}</ref>
===Kuala Muda Naza === In the 2009 Malaysia Super League, he joined the new promoted Kuala Muda Naza.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/club/8917/2009_2/Kuala_Muda_Naza.html|title=General Information for Kuala Muda NAZA in 2009|publisher=National Football Teams.com|accessdate=16 December 2017}}</ref>
===Kelantan FA=== On 12 January 2010, he scored his first goal for Kelantan FA in a 3–0 win against Johor FA.<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malay2010.html#super - Malaysia 2010-Liga Super 2010] - RSSSF.</ref> Later, he finally won his first Malaysia Cup in the 2010 Malaysia Cup Final after Kelantan beat Negeri Sembilan FA 2-1.<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/malay2010.html#piala- Malaysia 2010-Cup Tournaments 2010 (Piala Malaysia)] - RSSSF.</ref>
===Perak FA=== After leaving Kelantan FA, he joined Perak FA and reunited with former national team coach Norizan Bakar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mstar.com.my/sukan/2010/11/30/akmal-rizal-sertai-perak-kerana-mahu-ikut-cikgu-jan?itm_source=parsely-api|title=Akmal Rizal Sertai Perak Kerana Mahu Ikut Cikgu Jan|date=30 November 2010 |language=Malay|publisher=M Star|accessdate=29 August 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927141848/https://www.mstar.com.my/sukan/2010/11/30/akmal-rizal-sertai-perak-kerana-mahu-ikut-cikgu-jan?itm_source=parsely-api|archivedate=27 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
===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.<ref>http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2013&dt=0310&pub=Kosmo&sec=Sukan&pg=su_02.htm – {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030145/http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2013&dt=0310&pub=Kosmo&sec=Sukan&pg=su_02.htm |date=4 March 2016 }} Akmal blast the goal</ref> 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.<ref>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</ref>
===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.<ref name="auto">[https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/sea01-det.html South East Asian Games 2001 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - Match Details] - RSSSF.</ref> He also represented Malaysia U23 for the Afro-Asian Games Hyderabad, India in October 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asafrgam01.html|title=Afro-Asian Games 2003|date=20 August 2020|access-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928130141/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/asafrgam01.html|archive-date=28 September 2022|website=RSSSF|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2002, Akmal was called up for an international friendly match against Brazil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/sel/brazil200203.htm|work=Dennis David Woods RSSSF |publisher=RSSSF Brasil|title=Seleção Brasileira (Brazilian National Team) 2002-2003|date=20 August 2020|access-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711072637/https://www.rsssfbrasil.com/sel/brazil200203.htm|archive-date=11 July 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/95-vs-brazil/teams/27166|title=Malaysia vs Brazil.|publisher=Sky Sports at Wayback Machine|year=2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713110943/https://www.skysports.com/football/95-vs-brazil/teams/27166|accessdate=13 July 2021|archive-date=13 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chedinsphere.blogspot.com/2013/01/brazil-lawan-malaysia-stadium-bukit.html?m=1|title=Brazil lawan Malaysia, Stadium Bukit Jalil (2002).|publisher=Chedinsphere at Wayback Machine|year=2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714011432/http://chedinsphere.blogspot.com/2013/01/brazil-lawan-malaysia-stadium-bukit.html?m=1|accessdate=13 July 2021|archive-date=14 July 2021}}</ref> He has also been called up by the Malaysia national team coach Norizan Bakar for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/1521/Malaysia_China.html|title=Malaysia vs. China 2007-07-10|publisher=National Football Teams.com|accessdate=16 December 2017}}</ref>
==International goals== {| class="wikitable" ! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition |- | 1. || 8 March 2001 || Hong Kong, Hong Kong || {{fb|HKG}} || 2–0 || Won || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) |- | 2. || 8 March 2001 || Hong Kong, Hong Kong || {{fb|HKG}} || 2–0 || Won || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) |- | 3. || 25 March 2001 || Doha, Qatar || {{fb|PLE}} || 4–3 || Won || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) |- | 4. || 25 March 2001 || Doha, Qatar || {{fb|PLE}} || 4–3 || Won || 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) |- | 5. || 11 December 2002 || Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia || {{fb|CAM}} || 5–0 || Won || Friendly |- | 6. || 18 December 2002 || Singapore, Singapore || {{fb|SIN}} || 0–4 || Won || 2002 Tiger Cup Group Stage |- | 7. || 20 December 2002 || Singapore, Singapore || {{fb|THA}} || 3–1 || Won || 2002 Tiger Cup Group Stage |- | 8. || 12 July 2004 || Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia || {{fb|SIN}} || 2–0 || Won || Friendly |- | 9. || 21 June 2007 || Petaling Jaya, Malaysia || {{fb|UAE}} || 1–3 || Loss || Friendly |}
==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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/dekman-tekad-lahirkan-permata-baru-bola-sepak-negara |title=Dekman tekad lahirkan permata baru bola sepak negara | FourFourTwo |access-date=11 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165137/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/dekman-tekad-lahirkan-permata-baru-bola-sepak-negara |archive-date=11 January 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/arena/2019/11/514646/akmal-sedia-tabur-khidmat|title=Akmal sedia tabur khidmat-Harian Metro |date=6 November 2019 |access-date=17 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106171417/https://www.hmetro.com.my/arena/2019/11/514646/akmal-sedia-tabur-khidmat|archive-date=6 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Managerial career== On 27 December 2019, Akmal was hired to become assistant coach for Penang FC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/arena/2019/12/529721/ujian-getir-nanti-akmal|title=Ujian getir nanti Akmal|date=27 December 2019 |language=Malay|publisher=Harian Metro|accessdate=3 August 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227115326/https://www.hmetro.com.my/arena/2019/12/529721/ujian-getir-nanti-akmal|archivedate=27 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, he became head coach for Penang U-21.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cakapsukan.com/2022/01/06/anak-datuk-nash-sertai-piala-presiden-penang-fc/|title=Anak Datuk Nash sertai Piala Presiden Penang FC|date=6 January 2022 |language=Malay|publisher=Cakap Sukan|accessdate=29 September 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927131950/https://cakapsukan.com/2022/01/06/anak-datuk-nash-sertai-piala-presiden-penang-fc/|archivedate=27 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> On 7 November 2023, he became Penang caretaker for remaining of the 2023 Malaysia Super League season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/amp/sukan/bola/2023/11/1174460/akmal-rizal-dilantik-pengendali-sementara-penang-fc|title=Akmal Rizal dilantik pengendali sementara Penang FC|date=7 November 2023 |language=Malay|publisher=Berita Harian|accessdate=7 November 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107161345/https://www.bharian.com.my/amp/sukan/bola/2023/11/1174460/akmal-rizal-dilantik-pengendali-sementara-penang-fc|archivedate=7 November 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> He were appointed as the permanent head coach of Penang for the 2024-25 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=ISMAIL |first1=HAKIMI |title=Akmal Rizal jadi ketua jurulatih Penang FC |url=https://www.utusan.com.my/sukan/2024/01/akmal-rizal-jadi-ketua-jurulatih-penang-fc/ |website=Utusan Malaysia |access-date=26 June 2024 |language=ms-MY |date=17 January 2024}}</ref>
==Managerial statistics== {{updated|11 March 2026}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Managerial record by team and tenure |- !rowspan="2"|Team !rowspan="2"|Nat. !rowspan="2"|From !rowspan="2"|To !colspan="8"|Record !rowspan="2"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- !{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}} !{{Tooltip|W|Games won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} !{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}} !{{Tooltip|Win %|Win percentage}} |- |align="left"|Penang |{{flagicon|Malaysia}} |align="left"|7 November 2023 |align="left"|1 November 2024 {{WDL|19|3|8|8|for=18|against=37|diff=yes}} | |- |align="left"|Kelantan TRW |{{flagicon|Malaysia}} |align="left"|16 October 2025 |align="left"|11 March 2026 {{WDL|19|4|1|14|for=17|against=41|diff=yes}} | |- !colspan="4"|Career Total {{WDLtot|38|7|9|22|for=35|against=78|diff=yes}} ! |}
==Honours== ===Club=== '''FCSR Haguenau''' * Championnat de France amateur 2 : 2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racingstub.com/persons/9217/|publisher=Racingstub|title=Rizal Akmal|language=French|date=26 September 2017|access-date=26 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926212454/https://racingstub.com/persons/9217/|archive-date=26 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Kedah FA''' * Liga Perdana 2 : 2002 * Liga Perdana 1 : runner-up 2003 * Malaysia Premier League : 2005-06
'''Selangor FA''' * Malaysia Cup : 2008 runner-up * Malaysia FA Cup : 2008 runner-up
'''Kelantan FA''' * Malaysia Cup : 2010 * Malaysia Super League : runner-up 2010
===International===
'''Malaysia U-23''' * SEA Games : {{SilverMedal}} silver 2001;<ref name="auto"/> {{BronzeMedal}} bronze 2003
'''Malaysia U-14''' *Nike Cup Asia Pacific : 1994-95
===Individual=== * SEA Games Top Scorer : 2001
===Coaching=== '''Penang U-21''' * Sukma Games : {{SilverMedal}} silver 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/akmal-rizal-bangga-pasukannya-menang-perak/|title=Akmal Rizal bangga pasukannya menang perak|date=23 September 2022 |language=Malay|publisher=Buletin Mutiara|accessdate=24 September 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924125033/https://www.buletinmutiara.com/akmal-rizal-bangga-pasukannya-menang-perak/|archivedate=24 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{NFT player|id=4117|name=Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070715163847/http://selangorfc.com/pemain/arkib/akmal-rizal-ahmad-rakhli.html Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli's Profile at selangorfc.com] {{in lang|ms}}
{{Malaysia Squad 2007 AFC Asian Cup}}
Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Kedah Category:Malaysian people of Malay descent Category:Malaysian men's footballers Category:21st-century Malaysian sportsmen Category:Malaysia men's international footballers Category:Malaysian expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany Category:Malaysian expatriate sportspeople in Germany Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France Category:Malaysian expatriate sportspeople in France Category:RC Strasbourg Alsace players Category:Kuala Muda Naza F.C. players Category:Kelantan F.C. players Category:Selangor F.C. players Category:Perak F.C. players Category:Sarawak FA State Football Team players Category:Kedah Darul Aman F.C. players Category:2007 AFC Asian Cup players Category:Malaysia Super League players Category:Men's association football forwards Category:SEA Games silver medalists for Malaysia Category:SEA Games bronze medalists for Malaysia Category:SEA Games medalists in football Category:Footballers at the 2001 SEA Games Category:Footballers at the 2003 SEA Games Category:Medalists at the 2001 SEA Games Category:Medalists at the 2003 SEA Games Category:Malaysia men's youth international footballers Category:Championnat National 3 players Category:FCSR Haguenau players Category:SEA Games footballers for Malaysia