Crowned the AFC Women's Player of the Year 2018 on Wednesday, Wang Shuang said the award has motivated her to aim higher.

"This is just the beginning. I am highly motivated after winning the AFC Player of the Year award.

"There is still so much to do and I will take it step-by-step," said Wang Shuang upon returning to her club Paris St Germain.

Wang Shuang, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in the Division 1 Féminine, claimed the award for the first time, following an impressive year at both club and international level.

"It is a total honour for me to receive this precious award. I would like to thank the AFC. It has come as a surprise, but this award is inspiration for me to do well next year at the FIFA World Cup in France. I want to thank all my teammates - both from my club and country.

"Of course, this has been a year of great results. To secure a move to PSG, to score in the UEFA Champions League and now to win this great award. But also, this year we played in the Asian Games and personally I do feel some regret that we were not able to do better," said Wang Shuang.

Al Sadd’s Abdelkarim Hassan claimed the coveted AFC Player of the Year Award while China PR’s Wang Shuang clinched the top accolade in the women’s category.

Wang, who joined her illustrious China PR compatriots Ma Xiaoxu and Bai Jie in winning the award, said: “I would like to thank the AFC for this remarkable award. It really means a lot to win this. I want to thank my country, the Chinese Football Association and my national teammates for putting their faith in me and always encouraging me to dream big.”

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.

"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.

"I am very pleased with this award. This will give me more power, more desire to do even better next year. This reminds me that I cannot stop, I must continue to give my best every time I enter the court," said Hasanzadeh.

Hasanzadeh, 31, also won the award in 2014, 2016 and 2017, surpassing compatriot Vahid Shamsaei who won the accolade in 2007, 2008 and 2015.

"I am very glad and proud to achieve this award. Every player in the Asia dreams of winning such an award and this is a great testament to Qatar football. It is a great honour to be the second Qatari to win this award. Of course, I have to thank my teammates and I thank everyone who supported me in my career.

"I would like to dedicate this award to the Qatar FA President, and the Qatari people. Personally I did not expect to win, but this is a great source of pride for me and I am very thankful. I am still just 25-years-old, I have a long way to go, and I hope to build on this success. The three nominees did a great job this year," said Hassan.