Yasser Al Qahtani is Asian Player of the Year

By: Laurie | November 29th, 2007

Before I get to the point of my post, I have a very important question. When an awards event is described as “glittering,” what does that mean, exactly? Disco balls? Supermodels in spangly dresses? Pixie dust floating through the air? Enquiring minds want to know!

Because, according to Goal.com:

Saudi Arabia striker Yasser Al Qahtani was crowned the AFC Player of the Year 2007 during a glittering award ceremony held at the Hordern Pavillion in Sydney on Wednesday.

AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam presented the prestigious award to Al Qahtani, who was joint-top scorer as he skippered his side to the final of the AFC Asian Cup 2007.

The mercurial striker paused and was at loss of words after receiving the honour but finally said: “I would like to thank the support I received this year from the federation and my club. I would like to dedicate this award to my teammates and family.”

“Mercurial striker”? Is there any other kind?

Word is that Al Qahtani is looking for a move to Europe, preferably England or Spain.

“I think the award will do a lot for us as players to popularise our names in Europe and have European clubs follow Asian players. … Every player wishes to play in Europe but having said that, I also play for a very big club and there has to be a benefit for me and my country if I am to go to play in Europe.”

Congratulations, Yasser.

Other awards included:

AFC Team of the Year: Iraq
AFC Diamond of Asia: Lennart Johansson
AFC Referee of the Year: Mark Shield
AFC Assistant Referee of the Year: Mohammed Hamad Al Ghamdi
AFC Coach of the Year Award: Rauf Inileev
AFC Youth Player of the Year: Kim Kum-il
AFC Club Team of the Year: Urawa Reds
AFC Futsal Championship MVP: Vahid Shamsaee
AFC Futsal Team of the Year: Iran
AFC Fair Play Association of the Year: Japan
AFC Association of the Year: China