Matildas in line for AFC Player of the Year Award

Heather Garriock and Collette McCallum nominated, but unlikely to win this year I reckon. AFC Release below.


KUALA LUMPUR: Two players each from the semi-finalist teams of the recently concluded AFC Women’s Asian Cup figure in the first list of contenders for the coveted AFC Women’s Player of the Year award released by AFC today.

Co-headlining the roster are reigning AFC Women’s Player of the Year Ri Kum-suk, who steered DPR Korea to the silverware in Ho Chi Minh City with seven goals, and tournament MVP Homare Sawa of Japan, who picked up the accolade after helping her side finish third.

Sawa, who was named the best Asian women’s player in 2004, was first runner-up to Ri Kum-suk last year.

Also in contention from DPR Korea is another architect of their memorable triumph, midfielder Ri Un-gyong.

Xu Yuan, who has taken over the mantle from the legendary Sun Wen, and her fellow Chinese striker Qu Feifei will also be vying for the award alongside the Australian duo of left-wingback Heather Garriock and playmaker Collete McCallum, who was second runner-up in the 2007 awards.

Aya Miyama, who pulled the strings for Japan from the centre of the park, rounds off the list of eight players which will be updated after the Beijing Olympics.

At 29 years Ri Kum-suk is the oldest of the eight contenders while McCallum is the youngest at 22 years.

The second AFC Women’s Awards ceremony will be held on November 20 here in the Malaysian capital.

AFC WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2008
THE CONTENDERS

DPR Korea
Ri Kum-Suk (April 25, DPR Korea)
Ri. Un-Gyong (Wolmeido Sports Club, DPR Korea)

China
Xu Yuan (Shanghai Club, China)
Qu Feifei (Army Club, China)

Japan
Homare Sawa (NTV Beliza, Japan)
Aya Miyama(Okayama Yunosato Belle,Japan)

Australia
Heather Garriock (Fortuna Hjorring, Denmark)
Collette McCallum (Pali Blues, W League USA)