Cauņa named Latvian player of the year
Monday, December 12, 2011
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Aleksandrs Cauņa said his "dream came true" after capping 12 months marked by a seamless transition to life at PFC CSKA Moskva by being named Latvian player of the year.
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PFC CSKA Moskva's Aleksandrs Cauņa has been named Latvian player of the year in a ceremony that also saw FK Ventspils midfielder Oļegs Laizāns unveiled as the best of the Latvian league.
The 23-year-old Cauņa has had a memorable 12 months. The winger joined CSKA on loan from Skonto FC in February and impressed enough to earn a permanent switch in July. He then became only the second Latvian player to score in the UEFA Champions League, netting in October's 3-0 win against Trabzonspor AŞ, helping the Russian club qualify for the round of 16.
"Every Latvian player dreams from childhood of becoming the best in the country. I'm happy my dream came true," Cauņa, Latvia's top scorer in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying with four goals, told UEFA.com. "The responsibility will be even greater now but I am ready to do my best to be of maximum use to Latvia and CSKA."
Latvian First Division 2011 awards
Player of the year – Oļegs Laizāns (FK Ventspils)
Best goalkeeper – Germans Māliņš (Skonto FC)
Best defender – Pāvels Mihadjuks (SK Liepājas Metalurgs)
Best midfielder – Oļegs Laizāns (FK Ventspils)
Best forward – Nathan Junior (Skonto FC)
Coach of the year – Sergei Podpali (FK Ventspils)