In a glittering ceremony at the AFC Annual Awards 2023, held at the Grand Peace Palace of Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Qatar’s Akram Afif and Japan’s Kiko Seike were crowned AFC Players of the Year in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
The night celebrated the pinnacle of Asian football talent, awarding 19 honors to recognize achievements across the continent.
Qatari forward Akram Afif was honored for his outstanding contributions in both the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ and Al Sadd SC’s domestic campaign. At just 28, Afif made history by becoming the first Qatari to claim the AFC Player of the Year title twice, joining the elite ranks of Japan’s Hidetoshi Nakata and Uzbekistan’s Server Djeparov as the third player to win this accolade multiple times. Afif’s extraordinary performance in the Asian Cup, where he scored eight goals—including a historic hat-trick in the Final—and added three assists, was instrumental in Qatar’s successful title defense. In domestic play, his prolific season saw him net 26 goals and 11 assists, cementing his status as a central figure in Asian football.
Expressing gratitude, Afif said, “I want to thank my wife, teammates, and all the national team coaches and staff. I’ll strive to win this award for a third time in the future.”
Kiko Seike, whose record-breaking season with Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies saw her score 20 goals and tally 10 assists, was recognized as the AFC Women’s Player of the Year. Seike’s contributions led Urawa Red Diamonds to consecutive WE League titles, and her seven goals helped the team secure the AFC Women’s Club Championship™ in 2023. Seike also represented Japan’s national team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and her efforts secured a spot in the upcoming Olympic Games.
In a heartfelt video message from her current club, Brighton & Hove Albion, Seike expressed her gratitude: “I am honored to receive this prestigious award. I will continue doing my best for my club, my country, and to further elevate Asian football.”
The AFC Coach of the Year awards highlighted strategic mastery, with Japan’s Go Oiwa and Korea Republic’s Park Youn-jeong taking top honors. Oiwa, previously recognized in 2018, led Japan’s U23 squad to their second AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title, while Park, Korea’s youngest-ever national team head coach, took the U20 women’s team to new heights, qualifying for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024.
Iranian futsal star Saeid Ahmad Abbasi was awarded AFC Futsal Player of the Year after an outstanding performance in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024, where he emerged as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and top scorer, leading Iran to their 13th title.
Ellie Carpenter, who plays for Olympique Lyonnais, became the first-ever winner of the AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Women) award, a new category recognizing top-performing Asian players abroad. The men’s counterpart was awarded to Son Heung-min, Tottenham Hotspur’s forward, solidifying his global impact as one of Asia’s top football exports.
A memorable evening of achievements also saw FIFA President Gianni Infantino receive the AFC Diamond of Asia, the confederation’s highest honor. The Qatar Football Association was celebrated with the AFC Asian Cup Host Appreciation Award for its stellar hosting of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, while the Saudi Arabian Football Federation earned the AFC President’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution, acknowledging its efforts in fostering the growth of Asian football.
This 28th edition of the AFC Annual Awards recognized the best of Asian football and underscored the continent’s commitment to elevating the sport globally, with contributions from players, coaches, and federations alike. The AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 not only celebrated remarkable achievements but also set a high benchmark for Asian football’s future.
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)
Credit Photo : AFC
