Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Muscat: Kashima Antlers head coach Go Oiwa was named the AFC Men's Coach of the Year at the AFC Annual Awards 2018 in Muscat, Oman on Wednesday.
Oiwa steered Kashima Antlers to the 2018 AFC Champions League title after defeating Persepolis FC of Islamic Republic of Iran 2-0 on aggregate, for the Japanese club's first Continental crown.
Oiwa, 46, has been head coach of Kashima since May 2017, having been part of the coaching squad at the club since 2011.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/go_oiwa-kashima_1.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Muscat: Japan’s Asako Takakura was named the AFC Women’s Coach of the Year for a historic sixth time at the AFC Annual Awards 2018 in Muscat, Oman on Wednesday.
"I feel very proud that I have this honour almost every year. But this is really for my players and all coaches who have given so much to the game.
"Of course, we aim to win the World Cup next year. And I am confident that with unity, we can make our country proud," said Takakura.
Takakura, who previously won the award in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017, guided Japan to the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan, with the Nadeshiko defeating Australia 1-0 in the final to defend the title won in 2014.
Japan also claimed the 2018 Asian Games Indonesia gold medal, defeating China PR 1-0 in the final.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Muscat: Japan Football Association was awarded the AFC Member Association of the Year 2018 - Inspiring at the 2018 AFC Annual Awards in Muscat on Wednesday after a phenomenal year which saw its teams and programmes shining on virtually every stage.
Japan were the only Asian side to advance to the Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia while the senior women's defended the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup Jordan in April and won the 2018 Asian Games Indonesia gold.
At the age-group level, Japan won the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup while the men emerged champions in the AFC U-16 Championship Malaysia 2018 and were semi-finalists in the AFC U-19 Championship Indonesia 2018.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Muscat: Zhang Jilong of China PR is the recipient of the AFC Diamond of Asia Award 2018 for his faithful servitude of more than 25 years to Asian football.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa recently presented the award to Zhang Jilong in Beijing.
The AFC’s top accolade is the perfect recognition to a man who brought calm and peace to the Confederation at a critical point in its history and is true recognition of his service to football.
Through his tireless devotion, Zhang Jilong has been instrumental in raising the standards of football in the Continent.
Born on February 9, 1952 in Yantai City in Shandong province, Zhang has dedicated more than four decades of outstanding service to sport and football.