Record-breaker Kulchiy voted best in Belarus
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Article summary
Experienced FC Rostov midfielder Aleksandr Kulchiy has been voted Belarussian player of the year with more than double the tally of the runner-up having become his nation's most-capped player in 2009.
Article top media content
Article body
Experienced FC Rostov midfielder Aleksandr Kulchiy has been voted Belarussian player of the year.
Landslide victory
The 36-year-old secured 811 points in the poll of 364 experts, including top-flight coaches and captains, referees and other specialists, more than double the tally of the runner-up, FC Moskva goalkeeper Yuri Zhevnov. Sergei Krivets, who moved last week from FC BATE Borisov to Lech Poznań, finished third with PFC Krylya Sovetov Samara midfielder Timofei Kalachev and AS Bari forward Vitali Kutuzov making up the top five.
Most capped
Kulchiy, who this autumn overtook Sergei Gurenko as Belarus's most-capped player on 82 appearances, said: "Frankly I'm a bit surprised by the decision of the voters," he said. "It wasn't such a brilliant year for me to become first in Belarus. I think Yuri Zhevnov and Timofei Kalachev are worth this title as much as me."