# Akmal Rizal

Akmal Rizal Bin Ahmad Rakhli (born 12 December 1981) is a former Malaysian professional footballer who played as a forward. He is well known for his finishing ability and good technique. Apart from that, he is one of the batch of Malaysians to play overseas.

## Club career
### Early career

A product of the Kedah youth academy (Kedah Piala President), Akmal with pacy and skilful talent, made his way going abroad to join RC Strasbourg. He made his debut for the RC Strasbourg Academy U-21 which ended in a 3–1 win against FC Köln II and he successfully scored 2 goals in that friendly match. 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 tour to Malaysia, Akmal and Peguy Luyindula helped Strasbourg beat GNK Dinamo Zagreb 2–0 in friendly match at the Shah Alam Stadium.
He also attracted the attention of former Mainz manager, Jürgen Klopp to signing him for Mainz before he returned to Malaysia and joined Kedah FA.

### Kedah FA

In 2002, he returned from abroad and played for his former youth academy team senior squad. Later, he won 2002 Liga Perdana 2. In 2003 Liga Perdana 1, he scoring 10 goals in 24 games and becoming runner-up with the team at the end of the season.

### Selangor FA

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

### Kuala Muda Naza FC

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

### Kelantan FA

On 12 January 2010, he scored his first goal for Kelantan in a 3–0 win against Johor FA and also becoming runner-up in the league at the end of the season. 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 then joined Perak and reunited with his former national team head coach, Norizan Bakar.

### Kedah FA

He made his second debut (first debut in 2002) on 7 January 2013, appearing as a substitute in a 1–0 win against UiTM F.C., and made his full first start for the club in the game against DRB-Hicom Pos Malaysia FC. On 8 March 2013, he scored his first goal for Kedah FA in the 62nd minute 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 F.C.

In 2015, Akmal Rizal played with Kedah United F.C. in 2015 Malaysia FAM League.

## International career

He represented Malaysia U-23 for the 2001 Sea Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He also represented Malaysia U-23 for the Afro-Asian Games Hyderabad, India in October 2003.
In 2002, Akmal was called up for an international friendly match against five times World Cup winners Brazil. He was selected as one of the first eleven to play against Brazilian stars such as Ronaldo and Barca's Ronaldinho.
He has also been called up by Malaysia national football team coach Norizan Bakar for the AFC Asian Cup 2007 in July, co-hosting by 4 countries Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.

## After retirement from playing

Akmal Rizal retired from playing professionally in 2016. After retiring, he was the co-commentator for live telecasts of Malaysia football in Media Prima Berhad television stations. He also opened a youth football academy in his hometown Jitra, while completing his AFC coaching course, and as of 2017, he holds 'B' license in this course.
In June 2019, he finally completed his AFC coaching course and earned AFC 'A' license.

## Managerial career

On 27 December 2019, Akmal was hired to become assistant head coach for Penang FC in 2020 Malaysia Premier League.
In 2022, he then became head coach for Penang U-21.
On 7 November 2023, he then 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.

## International Senior Goals

| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 8 March 2001 | Hong Kong, Hong Kong | Hong Kong | 2–0 | Won | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) |
| 2. | 8 March 2001 | Hong Kong, Hong Kong | Hong Kong | 2–0 | Won | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) |
| 3. | 25 March 2001 | Doha, Qatar | Palestine | 4–3 | Won | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) |
| 4. | 25 March 2001 | Doha, Qatar | Palestine | 4–3 | Won | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) |
| 5. | 11 December 2002 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Cambodia | 5–0 | Won | Friendly |
| 6. | 18 December 2002 | Singapore, Singapore | Singapore | 0–4 | Won | 2002 Tiger Cup Group Stage |
| 7. | 20 December 2002 | Singapore, Singapore | Thailand | 3–1 | Won | 2002 Tiger Cup Group Stage |
| 8. | 12 July 2004 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Singapore | 2–0 | Won | Friendly |
| 9. | 21 June 2007 | Petaling Jaya, Malaysia | United Arab Emirates | 1–3 | Loss | Friendly |

## Honours
### Club

FCSR Haguenau
* Championnat de France amateur 2 : 2000
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 Super League : runner-up 2010
* Malaysia Cup : 2010

### International

Malaysia U-23
* SEA Games : silver 2001; bronze 2003

### Individual

* SEA Games Top Scorer : 2001

### Manager

Penang U-21
* Sukma Games : silver 2022