Prior to the match between Nadeshiko Japan (Japan National Women’s Team) and China National Women’s Team, the AFC Annual Awards 2015 ceremony was held at Kincho Stadium on Friday 4 March.

The AFC Women Player of the Year Award was presented to MIYAMA Aya and KOBAYASHI Rikako received the AFC Youth Player of the Year Award. In addition, the Japan Football Association (JFA) President DAINI Kuniya was recognised on behalf of the entire association for the AFC Fair Play Association of the Year Award. A commemorative trophy and a plaque were given to each recipient.

2015 AFC Annual Awards

* 2015 AFC Annual Awards Recipients List

Comments

DAINI Kuniya, President, Japan Football Association
Japan took all the awards in the Women’s category at this AFC Annual Award 2015. I am truly honoured. We will keep making further efforts with these awards as encouragement for the development of football in Asia.

KOBAYASHI Rikako (AFC Youth Player of the Year Award winner)
I didn’t expect to get an award like this so I am happy about it. I think the goals I scored at the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship last year led to this award, however, I am playing at the position which is expected to produce results thus I want to keep playing well enough to meet such expectations.

Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President, Asian Football Confederation
Women’s football has enormous global growth potential. The women’s game in Asia is world class and Japan has an enviable track record, with star players such as Miyama Aya. As the 2015 AFC Annual Awards showed again, efforts by the Japan Football Association are paying off across the board, as the JFA came first in various categories. I would like to congratulate the JFA for their exemplary success and hope other Member Associations will be able to learn from it.