Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Australia international Caitlin Foord was named the AFC Women’s Player of the Year for 2016 on Thursday, fending off competition from compatriot Lisa De Vanna and China’s Tan Ruyin to land the award.
In a glowing testimony to her undoubted talent, Foord becomes only the second player after China’s Ma Xiaoxu to receive both the youth and senior accolades following her AFC Women’s Youth Player of the Year success in 2011.
Foord, who holds the record as the youngest ever Australian to play for the Matildas when she memorably appeared at the 2011 FIFA World Cup in Germany aged just 16, has enjoyed a standout year and was a consistent performer during her country’s Olympic Games campaign in Brazil.
The livewire forward excelled throughout Australia’s Rio adventure, appearing four times and scoring in a Group F encounter with Germany as Alen Stajcic’s side reached the competition’s quarter-finals before losing to host nation Brazil on penalties.
With over 50 senior international caps to her name - including five games at her second FIFA World Cup in 2015 - Foord has become a mainstay of the Australia national team, as well as a highly sought after commodity for clubs around the world.
Currently enjoying her third spell with Sydney FC in Australia’s W-League, the affable striker has also played for domestic rivals Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners as well as American outfit Sky Blue FC.