2016 Round-up: What a year it's been for Asian football

Published on: 27 December 2016

Kuala Lumpur: From Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors winning the AFC Champions League, to the launch of the AFC's Vision and Mission and a double success for DPR Korea's women's teams on the global stage, it has been another phenomenal year for Asian football - twelve scintillating months that have witnessed the continuing evolution of the game throughout the continent.

January

Launch of AFC’s new Vision and Mission
Launched in Doha, Qatar, the new AFC Vision and Mission is centred around seven key pillars  to provide dedicated services for Member Associations to realise their full potential, to enable the success of Asian teams at the pinnacle of world football, to raise the standard of Asian competitions, to produce commercially attractive content for stakeholders and increase fan engagement, to implement good governance and professional administrative standards, to ensure the utmost integrity at all levels and to leverage on football as a force for social good. The Mission logo tagline - One Asia, One Goal - signifying the core values of unity, professionalism and leadership, was also announced at the launch.

AFC U-23 Championship Qatar Finals
The continent’s second largest national team tournament was won by Japan, who came from behind in a dramatic climax against Korea Republic to clinch a 3-2 victory. Shoya Nakajima of Japan was also chosen as the Most Valuable Player, while Qatari Ahmed Alaa finished the tournament with 6 goals securing the Top Scorer award.

February

AFC Futsal Championship Uzbekistan Finals
Iran secured an 11th AFC Futsal Championship title after edging out hosts Uzbekistan 2-1 in the final. Ali Hassanzadeh was awarded the Most Valuable Player for his incredible displays throughout the tournament. Thailand's Suphawut Thueanklan was named the top scorer after netting four goals.

March - June

AFC U-14 Girls Regional Championships
With four zone titles up for grabs, Jordan claimed their fourth straight West Zone title, Bangladesh retained their South and Central Zone crown, DPR Korea won in the East Zone for the third straight time and Thailand claimed their second trophy in the ASEAN Zone .

July

AFC Futsal Club Championship Thailand
Nagoya Oceans claimed the title for a record third time with a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over NAFIT Al Wasat of Iraq following a dramatic 4-4 draw in the final. Iraq’s Farhad Tavakoli claimed the Most Valuable Player Award. Chonburi Bluewave's Jirawat Sornwichian bagged the Top Scorer award.

August

Olympic Football Tournament Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Korea Republic reached the quarter-finals of the Men’s Olympic Football tournament, while China PR and Australia reached the same stage of the Women’s Olympic Football extravaganza. History was also made when referee Alireza Faghani and his assistants Reza Sokhandan and Mohammadreza Mansouri from the Islamic Republic of Iran became the first Asian match officials to officiate the Men’s Olympic Football final.

September

FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia
Iran claimed a historic third place at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia, displaying the growth of Asian futsal. Iran's Ahmad Esmaeilpour won the tournament’s Bronze Ball award.

AFC U-16 Championship India Finals
Iraq defeated Iran after an intense match culminating in a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory. Iraq’s Mohammed Dawood bagged the Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer awards.

October

AFC U-19 Championship Bahrain
Japan won the AFC U-19 Championship title for the first time in the country’s history defeating Saudi Arabia 5-3 on penalties.

FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Finals
DPR Korea have won the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup for a second time, edging out Japan 5-4 on penalties
after an enthralling goalless draw in Amman. Rio Kanekatsu was the only player of the ten to miss, blasting her spot kick high and wide, which allowed Kim Pom-ui to slot home the winner.

November

AFC Solidarity Cup
Nepal were crowned winners of the AFC Solidarity Cup. The new competition, introduced to provide aspiring AFC Member Associations with more competitive oppurtunities to play at an international level, also helps achieve the AFC’s vision for MA development and education.

AFC Cup Final
Air Force Club became the first Iraqi team to win the AFC Cup title when they defeated JSW Bengaluru FC 1-0.

AFC Champions League Final
Korea Republic’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors were crowned AFC Champions League winners for the second time following a 3-2 aggregate victory over Al Ain.

December

AFC Annual Awards

United Arab Emirates attacking midfielder Omar Abdulrahman bagged the AFC Player of the Year 2016 award, while Australia’s Caitlin Foord edged out compatriot Lisa de Vanna and China’s Tan Ruyin to capture the 2016 award in the women’s category.

FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Finals
DPR Korea came from behind to sensationally secure a 3-1 win over France and claim the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title at the National Football Stadium in Papua New Guinea. 

FIFA Club World Cup
Japan’s Kashima Antlers lost to UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid 4-2 in extra time, ending yet another remarkable 12 months of excitement and growth both on and off the pitches of Asia.

Photos: AFC & Lagardère Sports

Source: the-afc.com

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