Pahars honoured in Latvia

Marian Pahars has been voted Latvia's best player for the third year in a row.

Convincing winner
The 25-year-old striker, who plays in England for Southampton FC, won the award in convincing style by collecting more than half the votes. He finished in front of Maris Verpakovskis of Latvian champions FC Skonto.

Chaladze singled out
FC Dinaburg's Vadims Fjodorovs won the goalkeeper's award while Skonto's Mihails Zemlinskis was acclaimed as the country's best defender. Georgian striker David Chaladze, who hit 21 goals for Skonto, was voted the Forward of the Year.

Double honour
FK Ventspils, who finished as runners-up in the 2001 Virsliga, had the honour of seeing Igors Stepanovs win Midfield Player of the Year while their English coach Paul Ashworth picked up the coaching prize.