Qatar’s Afif nominated for the third Asian Player of the Year Award

Reigning Asian player of the year Akram Afif has been re-admitted to the shortlist with three men for the annual prize of the Asian football confederation, alongside Saudi Arabia’s Salem al-Dawsari and Arif Aiman ​​of Malaysia.

The Australian Holly McNamara, Wang Shuang from China and the Japanese defender Hana Takahashi have been nominated for the Women’s Award.

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Qatari Vooruit Afif, who also won in 2019, would be the winner of the title the first three times if he lifted the trophy during a gala ceremony in Riyad on October 16.

Al-Hilal’s Al-Dawsari hopes to win for the second time after he was crowned in 2022, while Joor Darul Ta’zim-wing player Arif is the first Malaysian to be nominated for the prize.

Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League winner Lee Kang-in from South Korea is mentioned for the AFCs International Player of the Year Award alongside Iran’s Mehdi Taremi and Takefusa Kubo from Japan.

Published on September 26, 2025