Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
As the momentum builds towards November 30 and the AFC’s 60th Anniversary celebrations and Annual Awards night, the-afc.com caught up with co-host and Asian football fan Jason Dasey who revealed his delight to be returning to the prestigious event for a third time.
You are no stranger to the AFC Annual Awards, what is it like to be hosting such a prestigious event?
This is my third time co-hosting the AFC Annual Awards after being given the honour in 2009 alongside Asha Gill (pictured) and 2012 with Lisa Wong. It is a wonderful experience to be involved with this event. It provides a fascinating insight into world football's fastest growing region, including its diversity, in terms of culture, language, and of course, playing styles. I'm delighted to be asked again to be on stage as the AFC's leading lights for the past year are honoured.
This year of course, the Annual Awards are being held in conjunction with the AFC’s 60th Anniversary celebrations. As a fan of Asian football, how momentous an occasion will this be for you?
It is significant that six decades have passed since the AFC was formed. And who would have thought Asian football could come so far? We've seen Asian superstars perform on a global scale and national teams from the AFC region give an admirable account of themselves at World Cups. And after Korea Republic and Japan in 2002, an AFC member will host a World Cup for the second time in Qatar in 2022. Despite the challenges the region has faced, Asia is becoming the most important territory in world football for a multitude of reasons.
How fitting do you feel it is that the AFC is returning to Manila for the 60th Anniversary celebrations – the place where it all began in 1954?
It is very fitting that the 60th anniversary celebrations are being held in Manila. Apart from the historical reasons, the Philippines is one of the fastest growing territories for football in Asia. The fact that the Azkals now hold the highest FIFA ranking in Southeast Asia is remarkable. Hopefully the annual awards being held in Manila - and the 60th Anniversary festivities - will help football in the Philippines continue to grow at a rapid rate.
How do you view the AFC’s and Asian football’s rise over the past six decades?
Asian football, with the support of the AFC, has come on in leaps and bounds over the past 60 years. This is at every level - from grassroots, to professional clubs and national teams. And let's not forget the importance of the excellent administrators and match officials who have done an often selfless job to help the sport grow throughout the continent. In addition, more foundations are being laid to ensure the upward progress of football for the next generations and beyond.
How will you be preparing for hosting the AFC Awards and 60th Anniversary night?
I will look back over the year in Asian football and refresh my memory about the significant moments of the past 12 months. I will also do some research on some areas that I know less about. And of course I will do my best to practice any tricky names in the awards so that I can be sure to pronounce them correctly.
What are your favourite moments related to Asian football? Have you got a top three?
As an Australian, I am perhaps a little biased when I recall my favourite memories related to Asian football. I was delighted when Australia joined the AFC at the beginning of 2006 (after previously being in the OFC) so that is one of my fondest recollections. Another moment that I loved was when Japan did Asia proud by winning the 2011 Women's World Cup by defeating the United States in a thrilling penalty shoot-out in Germany. And a fond memory was attending the 2007 AFC Asian Cup in Thailand (Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia were the other co-hosts) and watching a match at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok where the atmosphere was electric.
What do you make of the impact Asian players continue to make in Europe?
It is wonderful that so many Asian players have made a mark in Europe. I remember that when I was co-hosting the 2009 AFC Annual Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Korea Republic's Ki Seung-yeung won the AFC Youth Player of the Year award. I had a long chat with him - his English is very good because he was a student in Australia - and ever since then I've followed his progress with interest. In 2009 he was playing for FC Seoul, but soon after he joined Celtic in Scotland before making a mark in the English Premier League with both Swansea City and Sunderland. He also won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. He's an excellent midfielder, with a good mixture of tough tackling and technical skills on the ball, including some slick set pieces.
What do you believe the future holds for Asian football?
I think the future is bright for Asian football. The relatively disappointing performances of AFC teams at the 2014 FIFA World Cup was just a blip and I think Asian sides will learn from the experience and be back better than ever in 2018 in Russia. In the short term, I am very much looking forward to January's AFC Asian Cup in my home nation of Australia. In my job as Senior Editor of the ESPNFC.com website and a dedicated Asian edition, I will be travelling to Sydney to work on the coverage. The first Asian Cup on Australian soil is going to be something to savour and enjoy.
Finally, what are your hopes for the night itself?
My hope is that the night goes smoothly on stage and from a technical standpoint and that I can do the job to the best of my abilities, with the help of my co-host, of course. I'd love to see everyone enjoy themselves and celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the AFC. And, from a patriotic viewpoint, I would love to see Western Sydney Wanderers' coach Tony Popovic - who unexpectedly won the AFC Champions League - be named AFC Coach of the Year!
Photo: Courtesy of Jason Dasey