Seoul: Qatar icon Akram Afif and Japan star Kiko Seike were crowned the AFC Player of the Year in the men’s and women’s categories respectively on a starry Tuesday night at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 in Korea Republic.
The duo took home the biggest prizes at the 28th edition of the ceremony, held at the magnificent Grand Peace Palace of the Kyung Hee University, which also saw 19 other awards handed out as the best of Asia were honoured.
Afif was at his mercurial best during the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, scoring eight times – including the first ever Final hat-trick – and making three assists to help Qatar retain their Continental crown in stunning fashion. The first Qatari to win this award twice after his 2019 accolade, the 28-year-old was also instrumental in Al Sadd SC’s double-winning domestic campaign, starring with 26 goals and 11 assists in 22 league games.
The third player to win this award more than once after Japan’s Hidetoshi Nakata and Uzbekistan’s Server Djeparov, Afif said: "I want to thank my wife, teammates and all the national team coaches and administrative staff. I will try my best to win this award for a third time (in future).”
A stellar season from Seike saw her set the single-season record for goals scored in the WE League, netting 20 times and recording 10 assists to help Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies win back-to-back titles. The striker, 28, scored seven more times as they won the AFC Women’s Club Championshipin 2023 and also featured for the Nadeshiko at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, before helping them qualify for the Olympic Games. She is the fifth Japanese winner of this award, after Homare Sawa, Natsuko Hara, Aya Miyama and Saki Kumagai.
Now with English side Brighton & Hove Albion, Seike said via video message: "I am very happy to receive this prestigious award. I will continue to do my best for my club, the national team and to raise the value of Asian football.”
The men’s AFC Coach of the Year honour went to Japan’s Go Oiwa, who became the first ever two-time winner. Having clinched it in 2018 for his achievements with Kashima Antlers, Oiwa was recognised this time for his international exploits after guiding Japan to a record second AFC U23 Asian Cupcrown in May.
Meanwhile, the women’s equivalent was awarded to Park Youn-jeong, making her the second winner from Korea Republic after Kim Tae-hee in 2010. Park made history as the youngest ever head coach to take the reins of a Korea Republic national team at any age group with her appointment to the U20 women’s side in 2023, and successfully guided them to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024.
Islamic Republic of Iran star Saeid Ahmad Abbasi picked up the AFC Futsal Player of the Year prize after shining at the AFC Futsal Asian CupThailand 2024, where he was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Yili Top Scorer. His eight goals and one assist spearheaded their charge to a record-extending 13th title, and helped Abbasi become the sixth IR Iran player to lay their hands on this award.
Additionally, history was made when Ellie Carpenter became the inaugural recipient of the AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Women) accolade, edging fellow nominee Yui Hasegawa of Japan to the top prize, which was introduced for the first time at this edition in recognition of the growth of women’s football and the success of the Continent’s top players.
Into its 28th edition, the glitzy gala ceremony also conferred the Confederation’s highest honour – the AFC Diamond of Asia – to the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, on a truly memorable night of celebration.
The magnificent hosting of the AFC Asian Cupearlier this year saw the Qatar Football Association being honoured with the AFC Asian Cup Host Appreciation Award, while the Saudi Arabian Football Federation received the AFC President’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution in recognition of their steadfast efforts towards the growth of Asian football over the past year.
AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 Roll of Honour:
AFC Diamond of Asia
Gianni Infantino
AFC Asian Cup Host Appreciation Award
Qatar Football Association
AFC President’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution
Saudi Arabian Football Federation
AFC Member Association of the Year
Platinum:Japan Football Association
Diamond:The Football Association of Thailand
Gold:All Nepal Football Association
Ruby: Lao Football Federation
AFC Regional Association of the Year
Central Asian Football Association
AFC President’s Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football
Gold:Football Australia
Silver:All India Football Federation
Bronze:Vietnam Football Federation
AFC Coach of the Year (Women)
Park Youn-jeong (Korea Republic Women U20 and KOR)
AFC Coach of the Year (Men)
Go Oiwa (Japan U23 and JPN)
AFC Futsal Player of the Year
Saeid Ahmad Abbasi (IRN)
AFC Women’s Player of the Year
Kiko Seike (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies/Brighton & Hove Albion and JPN)
AFC Player of the Year
Akram Afif (Al Sadd SC and QAT)
The awards below were announced in Seoul and will be presented at an opportune time:
AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Women)
Ellie Carpenter (Olympique Lyonnais and AUS)
AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Men)
Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur and KOR)
AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women)
Chae Un Yong (Wolmido SC and PRK)
AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men)
Abbosbek Fayzullaev (CSKA Moscow and UZB)
AFC Referees Special Award
Yuichi Hatano (JPN)
Turki' Abdullah Al Salehi (OMA)
Ibrahim Yousif Al Raeesi (UAE)