Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari has been crowned the Asian Player of the Year for the second time at a prestigious ceremony in Riyadh. Al-Dawsari, a key player in his nation’s recent World Cup qualification, reclaimed the coveted title he previously won in 2022, surpassing strong contenders Akram Afif from Qatar and Malaysia’s Arif Aiman.
Expressing his gratitude, the talented Al-Hilal playmaker stated, “I’m thankful to receive this recognition. Winning it for a second time holds a special place for me as it reflects the hard work put in. While team achievements are more significant to me, this award complements our collective success. I owe this to the unwavering support from fans, teammates, and club members.”
This win marks the seventh occasion that a Saudi Arabian player has clinched this prestigious award since compatriot Saeed Al-Owairan secured it in 1994. On the women’s front, defender Hana Takahashi of Japan was named the women’s Asian Player of the Year, surpassing tough competition from Holly McNamara of Australia and China’s Wang Shuang. Takahashi becomes the sixth Japanese player to win this title since China’s Sun Wen claimed the inaugural award in 1999.
Expressing her gratitude, Takahashi conveyed, “I am deeply honored to receive this award. With the upcoming Women’s Asian Cup, my focus is on earning a spot in the Japan women’s national team. I am committed to delivering strong performances for both the national team and my club, aiming to contribute to the advancement of women’s football in Asia.”
Additionally, Ri Song Ho from North Korea was honored with the Coach of the Year award for guiding his team to victory in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. Paris St Germain’s Lee Kang-in was named the International Player of the Year, while Maika Hamano of Chelsea and Japan secured the women’s award.