DOHA (Qatar): Qatar international Akram Afif has been named in a three-man shortlist for the Asian Football Confederation’s men’s player of the year.
Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and Japan defender Tomoaki Makino were the other nominations in the men’s category for the awards, which will be given out in Hong Kong on December 2.
Akram, who plays for Al Sadd on loan from Villareal in the Qatar Stars League, helped the Al Annabis win their maiden Asian Cup title this year in Abu Dhabi. The 22-year-old was also instrumental in helping Al Sadd reach the AFC Champions League semifinals this season.
“Afif is arguably Asia’s brightest prospect. He burst onto the scene at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 where he produced 10 assists – the most in the tournament’s history,” the AFC said in a statement.
Alireza Beiranvand is famously known for saving Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
He repeated the feat against Oman in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 to lead Iran to the semifinals.
Makino’s commanding presence in the heart of the Urawa Red Diamonds have been one of the key reasons in helping his team keep six clean sheets en-route to reaching the 2019 AFC Champions League final. He was also integral in leading the Samurai Blue to their fifth final of the AFC Asian Cup.
China’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 in the women’s category.
India’s Ashalata Devi in fray
Li, the top scorer in the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, was shortlisted for the AFC Player of the Year- Women’s award after guiding China to the Round of 16 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.
She also featured prominently for her club Guangdong Huijun FC, helping the newly promoted side maintain their status in the China Women’s Super League.
Meanwhile, Devi has enjoyed an impressive year by leading India to the Olympic 2020 Qualifiers Round 2 and winning the 2019 SAFF Championship title.
The defender was also instrumental in helping her club, Sethu FC, win the Indian Women’s League crown. She was subsequently voted as the Women’s Player of the Year for the 2018-2019 season in the country.
