Caitlin Dillon
Al Sadd striker Akram Afif was named 'Asian Footballer of the Year' this afternoon at the AFC Annual Awards, which took place in Hong Kong. Afif was unable to attend the ceremony due to his ongoing participation in the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup.
The Qatar international, who assisted his country to a historic AFC Asian Cup win at the beginning of the year, is the third Qatari in history to receive such an accolade. With Qatar achieving back-to-back consecutive awards in this category, he joins his Al Sadd teammate, Abdelkarim Hassan, who won the award last year, as well as Khalfan Ibrahim, Al Sadd winger, who won the award in 2006.
Afif overcame competition from Japan international defender Tomoaki Makino, who contributed in Urawa Red Diamonds' AFC Champions League 20`9 victory, as well as Iranian international goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
AFC Annual Awards 2019 Winners:
AFC Diamond of Asia:
His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah
AFC Member Association of the Year:
Inspiring: Japan Football Association
Developing: The Hong Kong Football Association Ltd.
Aspiring: Guam Football Association
AFC President Recognition Award for Grassroots Football:
Inspiring Member Association: Chinese Football Association
Developing Member Association: Football Association of Singapore
Aspiring Member Association: National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam
AFC Coach of the Year:
Women: Asako Takakura (JPN)
Men: Chung Jung-yong (KOR)
AFC Futsal Player of the Year:
Tomoki Yoshikawa (JPN)
AFC Women Player of the Year:
Saki Kumagai (JPN)
Awards not presented in Hong Kong:
AFC Player of the Year:
Akram Hassan Afif (QAT)
AFC Youth Player of the Year:
Women: Jun Endo (JPN)
Men: Lee Kang-in (KOR)
AFC Asian International Player of the Year:
Son Heung-min (KOR)