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BANGKOK: Omar Khribin became the first player from Syria to be named Asian Player of the Year yesterday after he won the top prize at the Asian Football Confederation’s Annual Awards in Bangkok.
The striker, 23, pipped UAE’s Omar Abdulrahman, the reigning Asian Player of the Year, and China’s Wu Lei to win the award, becoming the first player from a ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵn team to win it since Nasser Al-Shamrani lifted the title in 2014.
Khribin’s success was rich reward for a stellar year for both club and country. He only joined Al-Hilal in January, initially on loan, from the UAE’s Al-Dhafra but he wasted no time in helping the Riyadh giants to the Saudi Pro League title and to King’s Cup success.
After making that move permanent in the summer, he translated his form to the Asian Champions League where his 10 goals, including five in the two-legged semifinal with Persepolis, fired Al-Hilal to the brink of continental glory.
Khribin was also a big hit on the international scene, spearheading Syria’ unlikely run to the playoffs for next summer’s World Cup. Last month, his side lost to Asian champions Australia 3-2 on aggregate having taken the tie to extra time and captured the hearts of the sporting world.
(Withn AFP)