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Ikoli Victor
DOHA
The three nominees for the coveted QFA Best Player Award were revealed by the Qatar Football Association on Tuesday, with Youssef Msekni (Al Duhail Club) and Xavi Hernandez (Al Sadd Club) being joined by former winner Nam Tae-hee (Al Duhail Club).
The long list of names was trimmed down to the elite trio after voting by captains, coaches of QNB Stars League teams, select members of the media and board of trustees of the QFA and QSL. The winner will be crowned at a ceremony at Qatar National Convention Center in Education City next Thursday.
Msekni had an outstanding year in the QSL, securing his fourth QNB Stars League title and finishing as the second top-scorer with 25 goals. He emerged on top of overall player ratings, after the first phase of 2017-18 QNB Stars League, according to football analysis and statistics provider STATS.
He was adjudged the player of the month in September, in November-December combine and February. The Tunisian international, who was among the star performers to take the country to the Russia 2018 World Cup, will however miss the tournament due to injury. He suffered a cruciate ligament injury on the last day of the season against Al Sailiya.
After steadily improving in recent years, Nam Tae-hee announced himself as one of the continent's outstanding players thanks, in part, to winning this same award last season after he guided the then Lekhwiya to League success. The diminutive forward often found in a '9.5' role between the forward line and midfield, scored 12 goals in the league and recently grabbed a hat-trick as Al Duhail crushed Al Gharafa 6-1 on their way to winning the Qatar Cup.
The South Korean has been consistent with his creative and technical abilities. He reads the game better and contributes excellently whenever he starts from the bench. He scored some spectacular goals both in the League and the continental football.
His goal in the quarter-final first leg match against Al Ain of the UAE on Tuesday defines his composure and abilities as he collected a pass from a teammate at the centre of the pitch and darted his way past two players into the box before slotting the ball beyond the rival keeper. The playmaker will lead Al Duhail's quest for Emir Cup success when they take on Al Sadd in the semi-finals on Friday. The South Korean is expected to be in the party to Russia 2018 World Cup with Korea.
Spain and former Barcelona talisman Xavi had yet another phenomenal year, guiding his side to a second-place finish in the league. He scored six goals in an incredibly tight QSL title race and captaining Al Sadd to the final of the Qatar Cup.
The Al Sadd midfield maestro Xavi has been one of the Wolves' most consistent players this campaign and a host of impressive performances has had the club captain nominated for the prestigious QFA player of the year award. The 38-year-old central linkman has been ever-present in the Sadd midfield this season playing on 18 occasions.
Xavi could be set for a second title with Al Sadd in the Emir Cup final, but can the Wolves captain walk away with the coveted player of the year award at the QFA awards? All will be revealed on Saturday the 17th May at the QNCC.
