AFC Women's Player of the Year 2019: Saki Kumagai

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Women's Player of the Year 2019: Saki Kumagai

Hong Kong: Japan international captain Saki Kumagai was named the AFC Women's Player of the Year at the 2019 AFC Annual Awards on Monday.

“It is a great honour to receive this award. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who supported me, especially my teammates in the national team and Olympique Lyonnais.

"They’ve helped me grow up as a footballer and their support has led me to this stage. This award will continue to motivate me to perform to the best of my abilities," said Kumagai.

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AFC Men's Coach of the Year: Chung Jung-yong

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Men's Coach of the Year: Chung Jung-yong

Hong Kong: Korea Republic's Chung Jung-yong was named the AFC Men's Coach of the Year at the 2019 AFC Annual Awards on Monday.

“I’m very pleased and honoured to get such a big award," said Chung. "I would like to thank the Korea Football Association for supporting my work.

"We have seen in the AFC club competitions that Asian teams are very capable of performing. I’m very happy that my team has also shown that on the world stage.”

AFC Women's Coach of the Year 2019: Asako Takakura

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Women's Coach of the Year 2019: Asako Takakura

Hong Kong: Asako Takakura was named the AFC Women's Coach of the Year for a record seventh time in Hong Kong on Monday.

Takakura, who also won the award in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018, led Japan to the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 Round of 16.

The Nadeshiko were equally impressive in the 2019 SheBelieves Cup in the United States.

The Nadeshiko held the United States 2-2 in their SheBelieves Cup opener and registered an impressive 3-1 win against Brazil before going down 3-0 to eventual champions England.

AFC Futsal Player of the Year 2019: Tomoki Yoshikawa

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Futsal Player of the Year 2019: Tomoki Yoshikawa

Hong Kong: Japan's Tomoki Yoshikawa has been named the 2019 AFC Futsal Player of the Year, to become the third Japanese player to win the prestigious honour.

“I’m honoured to win this award and it is very special for me because it is the first time I’m winning this," said Yoshikawa.

"This is truly a result of all my hardwork and achievements this year.”

AFC Asian International Player of the Year 2019: Son Heung-min

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Asian International Player of the Year 2019: Son Heung-min

Hong Kong: Korea Republic captain and Tottenham Hotspur star, Son Heung-min, was named the AFC Asian International Player of the Year for a record third time at the 2019 Annual Awards on Monday. 

Son, who was also awarded the accolade in 2015 and 2017, has once again enjoyed an impressive season for club and country.

AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men) 2019: Lee Kang-in

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men) 2019: Lee Kang-in

Hong Kong: Lee Kang-in's exceptional form in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup saw the Korea Republic international named the AFC Youth Player of the Year at the 2019 AFC Annual Awards on Monday. 

Born in Incheon, Lee's rise to fame started when he joined Spain's Valencia CF academy at the age of 10, where he then featured in the B-team in 2017.

Lee made his debut for the first team a year later in the Copa del Rey to become the youngest Korea Republic player to appear in a European match.

AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women) 2019: Jun Endo

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women) 2019: Jun Endo

Hong Kong: Japan's Jun Endo was named the AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women) at the 2019 Annual Awards after a series of brilliant performances over the past year. 

Endo first donned the Japan national team jersey in 2014 when she competed in the AFC U-14 Girls' Regional Championship, before playing in the AFC U-16 Women's Championship a year later, scoring twice against Thailand in the semi-finals with Japan eventually losing 1-0 to DPR Korea in the final.

On top of being part of Continental action at such a young age, the winger also experienced the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Jordan and she didn't disappoint, scoring three goals as Japan finished runners-up to DPR Korea, losing on penalties in the decider.