Afif and Seike feted as Asia’s best at dazzling AFC Annual Awards

Wed, 30 Oct, 2024

Afif and Seike feted as Asia’s best at dazzling AFC Annual Awards

Seoul: Qatar icon Akram Afif and Japan star Kiko Seike were crowned the AFC Player of the Year in the men’s and women’s categories respectively on a starry Tuesday night at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 in Korea Republic.

The duo took home the biggest prizes at the 28th edition of the ceremony, held at the magnificent Grand Peace Palace of the Kyung Hee University, which also saw 19 other awards handed out as the best of Asia were honoured.

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AFC Player of the Year 2023: Akram Afif

Tue, 29 Oct, 2024

AFC Player of the Year 2023: Akram Afif

Seoul: Qatari maestro Akram Afif was recognised for a stunning 2023/24 season with the AFC Player of the Year accolade on Tuesday night at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023.

The 27-year-old became the first Qatari to win the award twice as he collected the gleaming trophy at the 28th edition of the ceremony, which was staged at the Grand Peace Palace of the Kyung Hee University in Seoul.

AFC Women's Player of the Year 2023: Kiko Seike

Fri, 25 Oct, 2024

AFC Women's Player of the Year 2023: Kiko Seike

Seoul: A breakthrough 2023/24 campaign for Kiko Seike was topped with the most prestigious accolade of the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 on Tuesday as she was crowned the AFC Women’s Player of the Year.

The 28-year-old became the fifth Japanese winner of the prize at the Grand Peace Hall in Kyung Hee University, following in the footsteps of Homare Sawa, (2004, 2008), Natsuko Hara (2005), Aya Miyama (2011, 2012, 2015) and Saki Kumagai (2019).

FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded prestigious AFC Diamond of Asia

Tue, 29 Oct, 2024

FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded prestigious AFC Diamond of Asia

Seoul: The AFC Diamond of Asia – the most esteemed individual accolade in Asian football – was awarded today to FIFA President Gianni Infantino in recognition of his visionary leadership and unwavering support towards the development of Asian football and the global game at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 in Korea Republic.

Mr. Infantino was elected as FIFA President in 2016, and under his leadership, global football continues to experience remarkable growth. Through the transformative FIFA Forward Programme, FIFA Member Associations have received enhanced support, contributing to the rapid development of football worldwide. Mr. Infantino has also delivered groundbreaking governance reforms, which have helped to restore confidence in the global game and the broader world of sport.

Qatar Football Association bestowed with inaugural AFC Asian Cup Host Appreciation Award

Tue, 29 Oct, 2024

Qatar Football Association bestowed with inaugural AFC Asian Cup Host Appreciation Award

Seoul: Fresh off the heels of staging the most successful ever edition of Asia’s crown jewel, the Qatar Football Association (QFA) was honoured with the first-ever AFC Asian Cup Host Appreciation Award on Tuesday at the dazzling AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 in Korea Republic.

Lauded by the AFC President, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, as Asian football’s finest hour and a tournament of ‘firsts’, the QFA, the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Local Organising Committee and Qatari authorities were recognised for their outstanding efforts in setting a new benchmark of excellence for future editions to follow.

Saudi Arabian Football Federation conferred AFC President's Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution

Tue, 29 Oct, 2024

Saudi Arabian Football Federation conferred AFC President's Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution

Seoul: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has been presented with the inaugural AFC President's Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution at Tuesday’s glittering AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 in Korea Republic.

The AFC introduced the AFC President’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution this year to celebrate the exceptional efforts by a Member Association or an individual towards elevating football development in Asia, with the SAFF emerging as worthy recipients for playing a pivotal role in supporting the larger Asian football family.

AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men) 2023: Abbosbek Fayzullaev

Thu, 24 Oct, 2024

AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men) 2023: Abbosbek Fayzullaev

Seoul: Uzbek starlet Abbosbek Fayzullaev continued his ascendancy on Tuesday when he claimed the AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men) honour at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023.

The 21-year-old showcased his undeniable talent amid a busy 2023/24 season and became the second player from Uzbekistan to win the award after Dostonbek Khamdamov in 2015.

AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women) 2023: Chae Un Yong

Thu, 24 Oct, 2024

AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women) 2023: Chae Un Yong

Seoul: DPR Korea sensation Chae Un Yong capped a sterling year with the AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women) honour on Tuesday at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023.

The 20-year-old Wolmido SC star is the third player from DPR Korea to claim the prize, joining compatriots Ra Un Sim (2007) and Sung Hyang Sim (2017) after her standout performances on the Continental stage.

AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Men) 2023: Son Heung-min

Thu, 24 Oct, 2024

AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Men) 2023: Son Heung-min

Seoul: Korea Republic superstar Son Heung-min was named the AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Men) for a record-extending fourth occasion on Tuesday evening at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023.

No other player has picked up the coveted prize more than once apart from Son, who also received the accolade in 2015, 2017 and 2019, which highlights his remarkable longevity at the top.

AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Women) 2023: Ellie Carpenter

Thu, 24 Oct, 2024

AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Women) 2023: Ellie Carpenter

Seoul: History was made at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 on Tuesday night as Ellie Carpenter became the inaugural recipient of the AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Women) accolade.

The Australian star beat fellow nominee Yui Hasegawa of Japan to the prize, which was introduced for the first time at this edition in recognition of the growth of women’s football and the success of the Continent’s top players.

AFC Futsal Player of the Year 2023: Saeid Ahmad Abbasi

Thu, 10 Oct, 2024

AFC Futsal Player of the Year 2023: Saeid Ahmad Abbasi

Seoul: Islamic Republic of Iran stalwart Saeid Ahmad Abbasi was named the latest AFC Futsal Player of the Year at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 on Tuesday.

Abbasi continued a proud Iranian tradition in the award’s history by becoming the sixth different player from his nation to win, following in the footsteps of record four-time recipient Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh, Vahid Shamsaei, Mohammad Taheri, Mohammad Keshavarz and Moslem Oladghobad.

AFC Coach of the Year (Men) 2023: Go Oiwa

Tue, 29 Oct, 2024

AFC Coach of the Year (Men) 2023: Go Oiwa

Seoul: Japan’s Go Oiwa made history on Tuesday at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 by becoming the first two-time recipient of the AFC Coach of the Year (Men) accolade.

The 2018 winner added the latest feather to his cap after leading Japan to glory at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ in May, where they defeated Uzbekistan to lift the trophy for a record second time.

AFC Coach of the Year (Women) 2023: Park Youn-jeong

Tue, 29 Oct, 2024

AFC Coach of the Year (Women) 2023: Park Youn-jeong

Seoul: Trailblazer Park Youn-jeong was named the latest AFC Coach of the Year (Women) on Tuesday evening at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 as she became the second coach from Korea Republic to win the award.

Following in the footsteps of Kim Tae-hee in 2010, Park received the prize in recognition of her achievements with the Korea Republic U20 Women’s National Team and is its eighth different winner.