Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kuala Lumpur: The announcement of the five stars shortlisted for the 2012 AFC Asian Player of the Year Award has no doubt had Asian football fans the world over discussing, deliberating and perhaps even disagreeing with the selection.
In the reckoning for the prestigious prize are the Iranian duo of Ali Karimi and Mohsen Benger; Socceroos' skipper Lucas Neill; Guangzhou Evergrande's Zheng Zhi and Ulsan Hyundai star Lee Kuen-ho, MVP of the 2012 AFC Champions League.
Monday's announcement will no doubt spark a flurry of activity both in the mainstream media and in forums, blogs, Facebook postings and Twitter feeds.
Fans may question the omission of their favourites and point to moments when a player has epitomised everything that is beautiful about the game from their own perspective. Everyone will have their opinion and, as always, the AFC welcomes supporters taking a keen interest in the confederation's activities.
The quintet selected is based on a very specific and considered criteria relating to the players' performances in AFC competition, with the list of nominees determined by the allocation of points for Man of the Match-winning displays in AFC events.
These events include, among others, Asia's premier club competition, the AFC Champions League, and qualifiers for the World Cup, with the stage of the competition for national team tournaments factored into the number of points up for grabs.
The Man of the Match is selected by the Technical Study Group for centralised competitions and by an AFC Technical Analyst and Match Commissioner for non-centralised matches.
But that's not all. Recognising that the spirit of Fair Play is integral to the game, a player shortlisted for the AFC Asian Player of the Year will have points deducted for receiving red and yellow cards.
And given that the highest individual accolade in Asian football – The AFC Asian Player of the Year – is all about how players fare in AFC tournaments, their performances in their respective domestic campaigns is not a factor.
What is a factor, however, is a rule that has divided the opinion of Asian football fans...namely that the nominated player must be present at the awards ceremony, which takes place at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Kuala Lumpur on November 29.
Critics of this criteria may point out that attendance might not be possible due to the player's club commitments at the time.
But with an individual receiving such a prestigious award, for what might be the only time in their career, is it so wrong to expect the guest of honour to show up at the party?
For more information on the criteria for the 2012 AFC Annual Awards categories click here.