Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced the names of the three nominees for this year’s AFC Player of the Year Award in the men’s and women’s categories.
This year’s annual celebration of the stars of Asian football will take place at a glittering gala event in Bangkok, Thailand on November 29.
The nominees are:
Men
Wu Lei (China)
Omar Abdulrahman (United Arab Emirates)
Omar Khribin (Syria)
Women
Samantha Kerr (Australia)
Sung Hyang-sim (DPR Korea)
Saki Kumagai (Japan)
A nominee for the 2016 AFC Player of the Year accolade, Wu Lei has performed consistently for both China PR and Shanghai SIPG throughout an impressive 12 months for the forward.
Having once again finished as the highest scoring domestic player in the Chinese Super League, Wu’s nomination comes after guiding China PR through to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Asian Qualifiers, and Shanghai SIPG to the AFC Champions League semi-finals.
Al Ain and United Arab Emirates midfielder Omar Abdulrahman has once again shone brightly this season for both club and country.
The 2016 AFC Player of the Year was a star performer for the UAE during their run to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Asian Qualifiers, and played a significant role for Emirati side Al Ain as they reached the quarter-final stage of this year’s AFC Champions League.
Omar Khribin completes the nominations for the men’s award following a terrific season that has seen him perform heroics for both Syria and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal.
With Khribin to the fore, Syria only exited the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Asian Qualifiers following a play-off defeat to Australia, while his nine goals – including a hat-trick against Persepolis in the semi-finals – helped Al Hilal reach the AFC Champions League final.
Samantha Kerr enjoyed a year to remember with both American National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) outfit Sky Blue FC and Australia.
The 24-year-old was named the NWSL’s Most Valuable Player after scoring 17 times for the team from New Jersey.
For Australia, Kerr grabbed the headlines when her four goals helped the Matildas overcome Brazil, the United States and Japan to claim the 2017 Tournament of Nations title.
Several scintillating displays during the recently concluded AFC U-19 Women’s Championship in China and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 Qualifiers, where she scored four goals, have earned DPR Korea ace Sung Hyang-sim a place in Asian football’s spotlight.
Her six goals during DPR Korea’s journey to the final of the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship saw the 17-year-old named the competition’s Most Valuable Player.
Despite DPR Korea losing to Japan in a tense title showdown, Sung is expected to star once again for her country at next year’s FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in France.
The third and final nomination for the women’s category sees Japan and Olympique Lyonnais stalwart Saki Kumagai rewarded for a stellar campaign in France.
The talented 27-year-old, who moved to Lyon from Frankfurt in 2013, was a standout performer yet again as the French powerhouse captured a fourth successive league and cup double, as well as their second UEFA Women’s Champions League title in two years.
Photos: Lagardère Sports, AFP, AFC
Source: the-afc.com