Tusty retains Most Valuable Foreign Player Award

Vincy Heat Captain Marlon ‘Tusty’ James has rounded off his Malaysian football career as the 2007/2008 Most Valuable Foreign Player.{{more}}

This is an award, which he stashed away in the 2006/2007 season.

James crowned off his Malaysia campaign when he scored the equalising goal for his club Kedah FC, to help them land their third piece of silverware last Saturday night.

Kedah had retained the Super League and FA Cup.

Kedah beat Selangor, 3-2, to repeat the treble. James’ goal came in the 31st minute, after Selangor had scored in the 17th minute. Kedah then scored in 32nd and 38th minutes as they went into the half 3-1.

It was the last kick for both James and his Vincentian teammate Cornelius Huggins, as the Malaysian football authorities have put a ban on all foreigners.

Kedah will have to do without them as they are also seeking to advance in the quarter-finals of Asian Cup next month.

James and Huggins’ contracts expire August 31, and their next move is still unknown.

An Australian club, Perth Glory, has shown interest in signing James, who was the Malaysian Super League’s top goal scorer.

Also chasing down the 31-year-old striker is MLS Club San Jose Earthquakes and United Soccer League Montreal Impact.

But while James has options, another of his Vincy Heat teammates, Shandell Samuel, is still looking for some.

Samuel and two of Antigua’s top strikers, Peter Byers and Gason Gregory, were released last month by Trinidad and Tobago pro outfit Clico San Juan Jabloteh, after differences with management.

Byers and Gregory have signed the dotted lines last week before the August 27 roster freeze. The two Antiguans have been contracted to the Montreal Impact. Samuel has returned home and at present is representing St. Vincent Motors System 3 in the NCB Barrouallie and Ju-C/Pepsi Arnos Vale leagues. (RT)