Liaoning captain Zhao Junzhe has been selected Footballer of the Year in the inaugural season of China's Super League, a Chinese soccer official was quoted as saying by local newspaper.

China's soccer governing body has selected award winners for the turbulent 2004 season and will make it official at some later time in an awarding ceremony, said Beijing Daily Messenger Wednesday.

China midfielder Zhao was favored over the other four candidates despite his team's fourth finish in the 12-team Super League.

"He contributes a lot to both the national team and plays an anchor role his club, so we decided to award the honor to him," said an China Football Association official.

"His team was not the best in the league but his integrity brought extra points for him," the official was quoted by the Evening News.

Zhao became the first player openly criticizing corruption and match-fixing in the Super League when the enraged 26-year-old threw away his captain armband in a league match.

In a 13th round Super League match on Sept. 29, Zhao suddenly pulled off his armband and strode out of the field after Liaoning was leveled 1-1 by Shenzhen on 71 minutes.

The match was won by then leaders and eventual champions Shenzhen, beating hosts Liaoning 2-1.

"We have to discipline ourselves, especially in such a bad soccer environment," said Zhao, "I should not have been so impulsive as to throw away my armband, but I just want to stand myintegrity."

Newly appointed national coach Zhu Guanghu was voted best coachof the year while the Golden Whistle award went to Sun Baojie fromBeijing.

Soccer is by far the most popular spectator sport in China. Yet,television viewership and attendance at matches have plummeted dueto poor refereeing, match fixing, poor sportsmanship and bad play.

Source: Xinhua