Can these Chinese women’s footballers make a clean sweep at the 2019 AFC Annual Awards?
- Li Ying is front-runner for top women’s category after solid performances at the 2019 World Cup in France
- Previous winners include former PSG star Wang Shuang and new Chelsea signing Sam Kerr
Chinese football star Li Ying is one of the front-runners for this year’s coveted AFC Women’s Player of the Year award after an outstanding season for club and country.
If victorious at the 2019 AFC Annual Awards, to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on December 2, the 26-year-old striker would join the elite company of 2018 winner and former PSG star Wang Shuang, of China, and 2017 winner and new Chelsea signing Sam Kerr, of Australia.
Fellow category nominees include Loitongbam Ashalata Devi of India and Saki Kumagai of Japan.
Chongqing-born Li was an integral part of the China national team’s campaign at the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup in France this summer, scoring the Steel Roses' only goal and guiding them to the round-of-16.
Li was also top scorer with two goals at the 2019 Fifa Four Nations Tournament in China as the home team defeated higher-ranked South Korea in the final.
On a club level, Li’s performances for Guangdong Huijun this season ensured the newly promoted team survived their first season in the China Women’s Super League.
This is not Li’s first time representing China at international level. The sharpshooter played for China U-20 at the 2012 Japan World Cup, earning her senior World Cup debut three years later in Canada. It would appear she has plenty more appearances – and goals – to come.
Compatriot Wang Linlin is nominated for this year’s AFC Women’s Youth Player of the Year. The 19-year-old defender starred at the AFC U-19 Women's Championship in Thailand this month.
Wang, who is breaking into the senior team, was also captain at China’s three 2019 AFC U-19s women’s championship games.
Australia’s Karly Roestbakken and Japan’s Jun Endo are also in the running for that award.
The AFC Annual Awards is the regional body’s marquee event, bringing together Asia’s leading officials, players and coaches.
Among the biggest names in this year’s edition is South Korean Son Heung-min, tireless attacker for English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, who is nominated for the AFC Asian International Player of the Year.
The Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) is up for two awards – the AFC Member Association of the Year (Developing) and the AFC President Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football (Developing).
