AFC Annual Awards 2019

For the talismanic Saudi Arabian, who boasts of a season studded with moments such as scoring against Argentina and Mexico at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and equalling the legendary Sami Al Jaber's record of three FIFA World Cup goals for the Green Falcons, this is just the beginning.

Al Dawsari’s brilliant winning strike for the Green Falcons against Argentina at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was just one of numerous highlights over the past season, when he also helped Al Hilal SFC reach both the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022 and AFC Champions League™ 2022 Finals, in addition to winning the 2021/22 Saudi Pro League and 2022/23 King’s Cup.

The 32-year-old collected the night’s biggest prize at the glitzy ceremony, held at the Al Mayassa Theatre of the Qatar National Convention Centre, shortly after Australian icon Sam Kerr had won the women’s equivalent of the award.

“I am very happy with this achievement and I would like to thank the leadership in Saudi Arabia for their keen interest in athletes and support for sport. I also want to thank the Saudi Football Federation, Al Hilal, Saudi national team as well as the fans. Of course, I am grateful to my parents and wife, who is my number one supporter.”

The Chelsea FC star, who first claimed the accolade in 2017, joins Japanese legends Aya Miyama and Homare Sawa as the only players to have won the highly coveted award more than once.

IR Iran star Oladghobad mesmerized fans and opposition alike at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022, scoring five times to help his country finish second and in the process collect the Most Valuable Player award.

Under Moriyasu, Japan masterminded two of the biggest shock results of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, registering successive comeback victories over former champions Germany and Spain to qualify for the Round of 16. Despite elimination at the hands of Croatia on penalties, Japan proved their ability to mix it with the best and Moriyasu displayed his tactical acumen for all to see.

The Jiangsu native became the second coach from China PR to win the award after Ma Yuanan, who collected the accolade in 1996.

The eighth different Japanese winner of this award, Osaka-born Hamano has quickly emerged as one of her nation's most promising rising stars in recent times.

Kim is only the second Korea Republic international to claim the prestigious award after compatriot Son Heung-min, who received the coveted accolade in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Update: Kuryu Matsuki was presented with the trophy on November 19, 2023

Tipped by many to be the latest stand-out player in Japan’s consistent conveyor belt of exceptional talent, Matsuki has already secured a regular place in the starting 11 for his club J1 League side FC Tokyo, where he is mentored by Samurai Blue legend and former AFC Asian International Player of the Year award winner Yuto Nagatomo.

Held at the Al Mayassa Theatre of the Qatar National Convention Centre, the showpiece celebration lauded the crucial work of MAs in nurturing grassroots football and fostering the growth of talented players, which in turn ensures a promising future for Asian football where stars can shine on the Continent and beyond.

In a grand celebration dedicated to showcasing the best of Asian football, the outstanding efforts made by MAs and RAs in developing and enhancing the game, in order to continuously lift the standards of football across the Continent, were fittingly honoured at the Al Mayassa Theatre of the renowned Qatar National Convention Centre.