AFC Annual Awards - Latest News

AFC Player of the Year 2022 Salem Al Dawsari sets eyes on AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™

Wed, 01 Nov, 2023

AFC Player of the Year 2022 Salem Al Dawsari sets eyes on AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™

Doha: Salem Al Dawsari’s phenomenal performance in the 2022 season received a fitting recognition when the prestigious accolade of the AFC Player of the Year 2022 was bestowed upon him on Tuesday at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022 in Qatari capital. 

For the talismanic Saudi Arabian, who boasts of a season studded with moments such as scoring against Argentina and Mexico at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and equalling the legendary Sami Al Jaber's record of three FIFA World Cup goals for the Green Falcons, this is just the beginning. 

Al Dawsari and Kerr crowned Asia’s finest at glittering AFC Annual Awards

Wed, 01 Nov, 2023

Al Dawsari and Kerr crowned Asia’s finest at glittering AFC Annual Awards

Doha: Saudi Arabian sensation Salem Al Dawsari and Australian icon Samantha Kerr have clinched the prestigious AFC Player of the Year Award in the men’s and women’s categories respectively at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022 on Tuesday at the Qatar National Convention Centre’s Al Mayassa Theatre. 

Al Dawsari’s brilliant winning strike for the Green Falcons against Argentina at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was just one of numerous highlights over the past season, when he also helped Al Hilal SFC reach both the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022 and AFC Champions League™ 2022 Finals, in addition to winning the 2021/22 Saudi Pro League and 2022/23 King’s Cup.

AFC Player of the Year 2022: Salem Al Dawsari

Wed, 01 Nov, 2023

AFC Player of the Year 2022: Salem Al Dawsari

Doha: Saudi Arabian superstar Salem Al Dawsari was crowned the latest AFC Player of the Year on Tuesday at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022 after a remarkable campaign for club and country.

The 32-year-old collected the night’s biggest prize at the glitzy ceremony, held at the Al Mayassa Theatre of the Qatar National Convention Centre, shortly after Australian icon Sam Kerr had won the women’s equivalent of the award.
 
“I am very happy with this achievement and I would like to thank the leadership in Saudi Arabia for their keen interest in athletes and support for sport. I also want to thank the Saudi Football Federation, Al Hilal, Saudi national team as well as the fans. Of course, I am grateful to my parents and wife, who is my number one supporter.”

AFC Women's Player of the Year 2022: Sam Kerr

Wed, 01 Nov, 2023

AFC Women's Player of the Year 2022: Sam Kerr

Doha: Australian icon Sam Kerr added yet another feather to her cap when the Matildas captain was named the AFC Women's Player of the Year at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022 for the second time on Tuesday.

The Chelsea FC star, who first claimed the accolade in 2017, joins Japanese legends Aya Miyama and Homare Sawa as the only players to have won the highly coveted award more than once. 

AFC Futsal Player of the Year 2022: Moslem Oladghobad

Wed, 01 Nov, 2023

AFC Futsal Player of the Year 2022: Moslem Oladghobad

Doha: Islamic Republic of Iran’s Moslem Oladghobad clinched the 2022 AFC Futsal Player of the Year award in a dazzling AFC Annual Awards ceremony at the Al Mayassa Theatre on Tuesday.

IR Iran star Oladghobad mesmerized fans and opposition alike at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022, scoring five times to help his country finish second and in the process collect the Most Valuable Player award.

AFC Men's Coach of the Year 2022: Hajime Moriyasu

Wed, 01 Nov, 2023

AFC Men's Coach of the Year 2022: Hajime Moriyasu

Doha: Japan’s Hajime Moriyasu was named the AFC Coach of the Year in the men’s category at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022 at the Al Mayassa Theatre on Tuesday.

Under Moriyasu, Japan masterminded two of the biggest shock results of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, registering successive comeback victories over former champions Germany and Spain to qualify for the Round of 16. Despite elimination at the hands of Croatia on penalties, Japan proved their ability to mix it with the best and Moriyasu displayed his tactical acumen for all to see.

AFC Women’s Coach of the Year 2022: Shui Qingxia

Tue, 31 Oct, 2023

AFC Women’s Coach of the Year 2022: Shui Qingxia

Doha: Trailblazer Shui Qingxia of China PR added a new chapter to her personal legacy when she was awarded the AFC Women’s Coach of the Year at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022 on Tuesday.

The Jiangsu native became the second coach from China PR to win the award after Ma Yuanan, who collected the accolade in 1996.

AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women) 2022: Maika Hamano

Fri, 27 Oct, 2023

AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women) 2022: Maika Hamano

Doha: Japan’s Maika Hamano was named the AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women) at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022 on Tuesday evening at the Al Mayassa Theatre during a glittering ceremony. 

The eighth different Japanese winner of this award, Osaka-born Hamano has quickly emerged as one of her nation's most promising rising stars in recent times. 

AFC Asian International Player of the Year 2022: Kim Min-jae

Fri, 27 Oct, 2023

AFC Asian International Player of the Year 2022: Kim Min-jae

Doha: Korea Republic’s Kim Min-jae has clinched the AFC Asian International Player of the Year prize at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022 to cap off an exceptional season that saw him feature prominently as he led SSC Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990.

Kim is only the second Korea Republic international to claim the prestigious award after compatriot Son Heung-min, who received the coveted accolade in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men) 2022: Kuryu Matsuki

Mon, 20 Nov, 2023

AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men) 2022: Kuryu Matsuki

Doha: Kuryu Matsuki’s outstanding ascendancy in 2022 saw the Japanese ace claim the AFC Youth Player of the Year accolade at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022 at the Qatar National Convention Centre’s Al Mayassa Theatre on Tuesday.

Update: Kuryu Matsuki was presented with the trophy on November 19, 2023
 
Tipped by many to be the latest stand-out player in Japan’s consistent conveyor belt of exceptional talent, Matsuki has already secured a regular place in the starting 11 for his club J1 League side FC Tokyo, where he is mentored by Samurai Blue legend and former AFC Asian International Player of the Year award winner Yuto Nagatomo.

Grassroots achievements of MAs lauded at AFC Annual Awards

Wed, 01 Nov, 2023

Grassroots achievements of MAs lauded at AFC Annual Awards

Doha: The tireless efforts of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Member Associations (MAs) in developing grassroots football were recognised on Tuesday night at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022, presented by the AFC’s Global Partner NEOM.

Held at the Al Mayassa Theatre of the Qatar National Convention Centre, the showpiece celebration lauded the crucial work of MAs in nurturing grassroots football and fostering the growth of talented players, which in turn ensures a promising future for Asian football where stars can shine on the Continent and beyond.

MAs and RAs recognised for unwavering commitment at AFC Annual Awards

Wed, 01 Nov, 2023

MAs and RAs recognised for unwavering commitment at AFC Annual Awards

Doha: The stellar achievements of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) were put firmly in the spotlight on Tuesday evening at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022, presented by the AFC’s Global Partner NEOM.

In a grand celebration dedicated to showcasing the best of Asian football, the outstanding efforts made by MAs and RAs in developing and enhancing the game, in order to continuously lift the standards of football across the Continent, were fittingly honoured at the Al Mayassa Theatre of the renowned Qatar National Convention Centre.