Al Rayyan’s talismanic captain Rodrigo Tabata picked up the best player award at the 2016 QFA awards. The award caps off a fine evening for the Al Rayyan attacker who also shared the Mansour Muftah award for the top scorer in the league with Abdulrazak Hamdullah.

Tabata edged out fellow players Abdulrazak Hamdullah of El Jaish and Meshal Abdullah of Al Ahli to take home the top award from the event held on Saturday evening at the QNCC.

The Al Rayyan attacker has perhaps enjoyed his finest ever season with the Lions, notching twenty one goals in just twenty four QSL matches. Aside from scoring goals Tabata also registered ten assists for his teammates as Al Rayyan swept to their first ever QSL falcon shield in twenty one years.

The 35 year old attacker led by example for his side this term and bagged fourteen goals in the first half of the season, including a four goal haul as Rayyan defeated Qatar SC by a record margin. Tabata was unplayable at times this term and often pulled Rayyan from the jaws of defeat with vital late goals.

None of which was more important when Al Rayyan defeated El Jaish back in November. Al Rayyan looked like they were heading for their first draw of the season however Tabata struck a fine curling effort in the 87^th minute to guarantee all three points for his side.

Tabata’s fine technique and a taste for the spectacular epitomized Al Rayyan’s free flowing football this year. In fact Tabata picked up the QSL player of the month in October and November underlined his successful season with the Lions.   

Now in his seventh season with the club, Tabata never enjoyed such successful figures with the Lions. Prior to this season his highest goal scoring tally came in his debt 2011/2012 campaign where the skillful attacker 10 bagged twenty one goals for his side.

However this term Tabata’s outstanding performances has galvanized his side and pushed on his team mates all the way to QSL glory. After bagging two prizes this term from the QFA awards Al Rayyan’s passionate fans will be expecting more of the same from Tabata as they compete in the AFC Champions League next season.