Akram Afif Nominated for Asian Player of the Year 2019

Kuala Lumpur, November 15 (QNA) - Qatar's playmaker and AFC Asian Cup champion Akram Afif, Iran's goalkeeper Ali Reza Safarbeiranvand, and Japan's versatile defender Tomoaki Makino lead the nominees for the AFC Player of the Year - Men's category at the AFC Annual Awards Hong Kong 2019. Son Heung-min of Korea is the leading candidate for AFC Asian International Player of the Year, ahead of Iran's Sardar Azmoun, and Japan's Makoto Hasebe. The winners will be revealed at an event in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on December 2. China PR's Li Ying, who was part of the team in the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019, Indian stalwart Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, and Japan's captain Saki Kumagai are the frontrunners for the AFC Player of the Year - Women's category. Afif is arguably Asia's brightest prospect and he burst onto the scene at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 where he produced 10 assists - the most in the tournament's history. He was also a figure of consistency for club Al Saad where they reached the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League. Safarbeiranvand is famously known for saving Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and he repeated the feat against Oman in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 to lead IR Iran to the semi-finals. He has been an inspirational figure in goal for both club and country but outside the pitch, he remains a strong advocate for social responsibility. Makino's commanding presence in the heart of the Urawa Red Diamonds has been one of the key reasons in helping his team keep six clean sheets en-route to reaching the 2019 AFC Champions League final. He was also integral in leading the Samurai Blue to their fifth final of the AFC Asian Cup. (QNA)