Sam Kerr crowned Asian women's player of the year

Al-Dawsari also led Al-Hilal to the final of the Asian Champions League and the Club World Cup.

Socceroo Mathew Leckie, of Melbourne City, was third with Qatar's Almoez Ali second.

The awards were being made for the first time since 2019 having been suspended for the three years due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Samantha Kerr is the AFC Women's Player of the Year! — AFC (@theafcdotcom) The Australia and Chelsea forward continues to be amongst the leading stars of the women's game! #AFCAwards2022 pic.twitter.com/AsLdFfqWViOctober 31, 2023

Chelsea forward Kerr was named Asia's best for the second time, having previously been crowned the confederation's leading female player in 2017.

She becomes the third woman to claim the award more than once, joining Japanese duo Aya Miyama and Homare Sawa as a multiple title-holder.

On Monday, the 30-year-old West Australian finished runner-up to Spain's World Cup-winner Aitana Bonmati in the voting for the prestigious Ballon d'Or, soccer's top individual honour.

"I just want to say what an amazing honour it is to win this award, especially up against some amazing finalists," said Kerr, who beat out China's Zhang Linyang and Saki Kumagai from Japan, the 2019 winner.

"It has been an amazing year for me and my team and I just want to thank all my teammates, my coaches, my family and friends."

Socceroo Mathew Leckie finished third in the voting for the men's player of the year award.

Hajime Moriyasu won the trophy for best men's coach for his achievements in leading Japan to the last 16 at the World Cup, including victories over European powerhouses Germany and Spain in the group stage.

Shui Qingxia claimed the honours in the women's coaching category after she guided China to the 2022 Women's Asian Cup in India, the country's first continental title since 2006.

Australian match officials Chris Beath, Anton Shchetinin and Ashley Beecham received the AFC referees special award.