November 30 – On a glittering Bollywood-style night of entertainment and awards in New Delhi, India, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) honoured their players and federations with a series of awards for a season that AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has taken the region to new levels.
“What a year it has been with records broken from the opening days of January in Australia right up to last few days in Guangzhou,” said Salman.
“Record crowds, up 35%, in the Asian Cup in Australia –TV audiences were an all-time high and the way we engaged with fans across the continent reached new levels. Many congratulations to the Australian team – and to Football Federation Australia on a wonderful tournament,” he said.
“Our women’s football has again shone on the global stage with Korea Republic, Australia, China and the eventual runners up Japan all advancing beyond the group stages… I think we can all be particularly proud of the fact that the AFC became the first confederation to hold a Women’s Futsal Championship.”
Salman also pointed to the inauguration of the AFC’s mini-pitch scheme and the performance of their nations at the U17 World Cup as evidence that they have a bright future ahead.
He reserved special mention for the progress of the AFC Champions League and special congratulations for winners Guangzhou Evergrande. Talking about record breaking, he said: “The Asian Champions League was another outstanding example. More than 260 million people watched on television across the continent, a remarkable 2.25 million attended the games with record average attendances.
“It reminds everyone that the Champions League has made extraordinary strides in the last few years and now, thanks to the quality of play, the television audiences, the attendances and the support of the 24 competing member associations – we have a club competion that few can match.”
Salman, who is a candidate in the FIFA presidential election race, chose to focus on celebrating his Asian confederation in his closing remarks.
“For a long time people talked of the future being Asia – I am now convinced that the present is Asia,” he said. “I am certain that we stand on the very brink of greatness in this continent- the dawning of the Asian age.
“And for that we all owe so much to the people that we honour, celebrate and acknowledge tonight here in New Delhi.”
2015 AFC Annual Awards winners:
AFC Member Association of the Year
Inspiring
Japan Football Association
Developing
Hong Kong Football Association
Aspiring
Bangladesh Football Federation
AFC Dream Asia Award
Chinese Football Association
Japan Football Association
Vietnam Football Federation
AFC National Team of the Year
Men
Australia National Team
Women
Japan Women’s National Team
AFC Coach of the Year
Men
Ange Postecoglou (AUS)
Women
Asako Takakura (JPN)
AFC Player of the Year
Men
Ahmed Khalil (UAE)
Women
To be announced at a later date
AFC President Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football
Inspiring
Japan
Developing
Vietnam
Aspiring
Brunei Darussalam
AFC Fair Play Association of the Year
Japan Football Association
AFC Club of the Year
Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN)
AFC Futsal Player of the Year
Vahid Shamsaee (IRN)
AFC Futsal Team of the Year
Tasisat Daryaei (IRN)
AFC Youth Player of the Year
Men
Dostonbek Khamdamov (UZB)
Women
Rikako Kobayashi (JPN)
AFC Foreign Player of the Year
Ricardo Goulart Pereira (BRA)
AFC Asian International Player of the Year
Son Heung-min (KOR)
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