Meanwhile at the event to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on December 2, China PR’s Li Ying, who was part of the team in the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, Indian stalwart Loitongbam Ashalata Devi and Japan’s captain Saki Kumagai are the frontrunners for the AFC Player of the Year – Women’s category.

Born on July 30, 1959 in Pahang, Malaysia, the 16th King of Malaysia developed an interest in football at a young age and his impact has been instrumental in raising the standards of the game on the Continent.

HM Al-Sultan Abdullah was quick to pay tribute to his late father Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, who was also a recipient of the Diamond of Asia in 2011.

His Majesty said: “Football has been in my blood since I was a child and it is such a privilege to be part of a distinguished list of recipients that include some of the greatest personalities and legends in Asian football.

“Furthermore, I am happy to be able to honour my father’s legacy as he has contributed immensely to football in Malaysia and Asia. He is my source of inspiration and it is to him that I dedicate this award.

“I would also like to pay tribute to my colleagues who devoted their time and wise counsel through the years and brought Asian football to where it is today. We have made enormous strides in recent years, and I am confident that the AFC will continue to spread the joys of the game, unite and rally diverse communities and build on its strong foundations to usher greater success in the years to come.”

The three worthy winners, who were chosen from a record 27 strong applicants this year, will receive USD$10,000, enabling them to bolster their social responsibility programmes alongside the AFC.

The three categories were established in 2018 to recognise the commitment and expanding efforts of the AFC Member Associations who continue to use football as a catalyst for social development. The three Member Associations will each be rewarded with USD $15,000 for future social responsibility projects in conjunction with the AFC.

Al Sadd’s Abdelkarim Hassan claimed the coveted AFC Player of the Year Award while China PR’s Wang Shuang clinched the top accolade in the women’s category.

Wang, who joined her illustrious China PR compatriots Ma Xiaoxu and Bai Jie in winning the award, said: “I would like to thank the AFC for this remarkable award. It really means a lot to win this. I want to thank my country, the Chinese Football Association and my national teammates for putting their faith in me and always encouraging me to dream big.”

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa recently presented the award to Zhang Jilong in Beijing.

The AFC’s top accolade is the perfect recognition to a man who brought calm and peace to the Confederation at a critical point in its history and is true recognition of his service to football.

Through his tireless devotion, Zhang Jilong has been instrumental in raising the standards of football in the Continent.

Born on February 9, 1952 in Yantai City in Shandong province, Zhang has dedicated more than four decades of outstanding service to sport and football.

Japan were the only Asian side to advance to the Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia while the senior women's defended the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan in April and won the 2018 Asian Games Indonesia gold.

At the age-group level, Japan won the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup while the men emerged champions in the AFC U-16 Championship Malaysia 2018 and were semi-finalists in the AFC U-19 Championship Indonesia 2018.