The highly anticipated AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 will take place on October 29th, where some of Asia’s finest players will be crowned. One of the nominees for the Asian Player of the Year award is Qatar’s Akram Afif, who had a stellar performance in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. Afif scored eight goals and three assists, becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in a final. Additionally, he led Al Sadd SC to a record 17th Qatar Stars League title with 26 goals and 11 assists.
Joining Afif in the race for the AFC Player of the Year award are Jordan’s Yazan Al Naimat and South Korea’s Seol Young-woo. Al Naimat was a key player in Jordan’s Asian Cup campaign, scoring four goals and two assists to help his team reach the final for the first time ever. Seol, on the other hand, impressed with his performances for Ulsan HD and the Korea Republic national team, particularly in the AFC Asian Cup.
In the AFC Women’s Player of the Year category, the nominees include Cortnee Vine, Kiko Seike, and Kim Hye-ri. Vine, who plays for Sydney FC and North Carolina Courage, has been recognized for her outstanding performance. Seike, representing Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies and Brighton & Hove Albion, and Kim, from Hyundai Steel Red Angels, are also contenders for the prestigious award.
The AFC Annual Awards will also recognize the best international players from Asia, with nominees like Mehdi Taremi, Mousa Al Tamari, and Son Heung-min in the men’s category, and Ellie Carpenter and Yui Hasegawa in the women’s category. These players have excelled at the club and international levels, showcasing their skills and talent on the field. Fans are eagerly awaiting the gala ceremony to see who will be crowned as the best players in Asia for the year 2023.
With just under a month left until the AFC Annual Awards, the excitement is building among fans and players alike. The nominees for the various categories are all deserving of recognition for their outstanding performances throughout the year. Whether it’s Afif’s impressive display in the AFC Asian Cup or Seol’s consistent performances for Ulsan HD and the Korea Republic national team, these players have certainly made their mark on Asian football.
As the countdown to the gala ceremony continues, speculation is rife about who will take home the coveted Player of the Year awards. Will it be Afif, Al Naimat, or Seol for the AFC Player of the Year award? And who will be crowned as the AFC Women’s Player of the Year? Fans will have to wait until October 29th to find out. In the meantime, they can look forward to celebrating the achievements of these talented athletes at the prestigious AFC Annual Awards in Seoul.
