ABU DHABI // Australian national team star Caitlin Foord was crowned Asian women’s player of the year at a glittering Asian Football Confederation Annual Awards in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
The Matildas winger, who featured for her country at last summer’s Rio Olympics, saw off stiff competition from compatriot Lisa De Vanna and China’s Tan Ruyin to capture the trophy at Emirates Palace.
Foord, 22, holds the distinction of being the youngest Australian woman to play at a World Cup, when she represented her national team in 2011 aged 16 years and 230 days.
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“I wasn’t expecting this ... I accept the award on behalf of all the Matildas,” said Foord, who now holds both the senior and junior title after winning young player of the year in 2011. “It’s obviously a massive achievement. Looking back at the young player award, I was so young and just took the award.
“I didn’t really expect it, or think too much of it. Now when I look back, I’m privileged to have done so well and I will do the same when I look back on this trophy and combine the two.”
Elsewhere, South Korea’s Choi Kang-hee was voted coach of the year following his Asian Champions League success with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. The Jeonju club drew 1-1 with Al Ain in last Saturday’s second leg to take the title 3-2 on aggregate. It was the second time Choi has guided Jeonbuk to Asian club football’s premier trophy.
In the women’s category, Hong Kong’s Chan Yuen Ting took coach of the year after her record-breaking exploits in 2016. Chan led Eastern Sports Club to win the 2015/16 Hong Kong Premier League and in the process became the first women to manage a men’s professional football team to a top-flight title.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS AT THE AFC AWARDS
AFC Diamond of Asia Award
Issa Hayatou (CAM)
Dream Asia Award
Qatar Football Association
Member Association of the Year Award
Aspiring: Bhutan Football Federation
Developing: All India Football Federation
Inspiring: Japan Football Association
AFC President Recognition Award for Grassroots Football
Aspiring: National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam
Developing: Philippine Football Federation
Inspiring: Football Federation Australia
Coach of the Year
Women: Chan Yuen Ting (HKG)
Men: Choi Kang-hee (KOR)
Player of the Year
Women: Caitlin Foord (AUS)
Men: Omar Abdulrahman (UAE)
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