Wang Shuang poses in front of the poster of the AFC Annual Awards 2018. (Photo/Xinhua)
Chinese footballer Wang Shuang was named Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Player of the Year at the AFC Annual Awards ceremony in Muscat, Oman on Wednesday.
Wang becomes the fourth Chinese player to win the award, after Sun Wen, Bai Jie and Ma Xiaoxu.
"I would like to thank the AFC for this remarkable award," Wang said in her acceptance speech. "It really means a lot to win this. I want to thank my country, the Chinese Football Association and my national teammates for putting their faith in me and always encouraging me to dream big."
Wang was part of the Chinese team that came third in the Women's Asian Cup and took the silver medal in the Asian Games. At club level, she joined French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain earlier this year, and became the first Chinese goalscorer in the UEFA Women's Champions League.
"This is a fresh new start for me playing in Europe and this is just the beginning," Wang said. "I do feel that this award will serve as a boost to help me succeed at the highest level."
The 23-year-old added, "Football is a sport that stands for equality. I hope that this award will remind girls in Asia that if they have a dream, they should continue to chase that dream and turn it into reality."
Qatar defender Abdelkarim Hassan was awarded AFC Men's Player of the Year, and Japan's Go Oiwa, who led Kashima Antlers to their first AFC Champions League title, was named Coach of the Year.
