Mahdavikia named AFC Player of the Year

Japanese sensation Yoshito Okubo claimed the Young Player of the Year award, while Iraq won the the National Team of the Year in other awards presented in Kuala Lumpur.

Following a stellar season with German club Hamburg, Mahdavikia has been crowned the continent�s best footballer of 2003, beating out Thailand's Therdsak Chaiman, of BEC Tero Sasana, and Uzbekistan's Dynamo Kiev striker Maksim Shatskikh for the prestigious award. In effect, he emulated the feats of compatriots Ali Daei and Khodadad Azizi, who captured the prestigious award in 1999 and 1996 respectively.

While technically the honour is bestowed for achievements in a calendar year, such was Mahdavikia�s consistency throughout the 2002/03 Bundesliga campaign that there were few quibbles with the decision. Hamburg fans overwhelmingly voted Mahdavikia as their Player of the Year after he helped the side finish fourth in the league to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

Although the 26-year-old registered just two goals during the league campaign, his ability to create chances for others was - and still is - the defining quality of the popular Iranian, borne out by the fact that he topped the 2002/03 Bundesliga chart for goal assists.

On the international front, Mahdavikia also made an invaluable contribution, setting up two goals for Iran as they defeated New Zealand 3-0 to claim the AFC/OFC Challenge Cup in October.

The former Pirouzi star is no stranger to Asian football�s Hall of Fame, having won the AFC Youth Player of the Year and Goal of the Year awards in 1997.

AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam praised the player, saying: "Mahdavakia has made a name for himself, for his club, for his country and for his continent. The AFC are very proud to have him as our ambassador."

For Yoshito Okubo, being named AFC Young Player of the Year ahead of Iraqi sensation Younis Mahmoud and UAE's Ismail Mattar has cemented his status as the most promising of the current batch of talented youngsters to roll off the J.League production line.

The 21-year-old was the shining light for Cerezo Osaka, his eight goals in 15 games propelling the side promoted from J2 to a fifth-place finish in the First Stage of the J.League. Although Cerezo couldn�t maintain that level, ultimately finishing 12th in Stage Two, Okubo continued his fine goal-scoring form, adding another eight to his personal tally.

After scoring for the Japan Olympic team in their 8-0 aggregate win over Myanmar, Okubo was drafted into the senior squad by coach Zico for the FIFA Confederations Cup in June, where he played in all Japan�s games.

In 2002, he starred for the Under-20 team which finished runners-up to Korea Republic in the AFC Under-20 Championship in Qatar and the Asian Games squad which returned from Busan with the silver medal.

Though relatively small in stature, Okubo possesses a powerful right foot and excellent dribbling skills, and is hotly tipped to follow the trail to Europe blazed by Japan�s previous AFC award winners, Shinji Ono (Player of the Year 2002, Young Player of the Year 1998) and Hidetoshi Nakata (Player of the Year 1998, 1997).

HONOUR ROLL

AFC Player of the Year
Mehdi Mahdavikia - Hamburg (GER) and Iran

AFC Young Player of the Year
Yoshito Okubo - Cerezo Osaka (JPN) and Japan

AFC National Team of the Year
Iraq

AFC Coach of the Year
Cha Kyung-bok - Seongnam Chunma (KOR)

AFC Club of the Year
Al Ain (UAE)

AFC Futsal Team of the Year
Iran

AFC Women's Player of the Year
Bai Jie - China

AFC Women's Team of the Year
China

AFC Match Official of the Year
Moradi Masoud (Iran)