KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 — Shaggy-haired UAE playmaker Omar "Amoory” Abdulrahman looked favourite to become Asian player of the year today when he was named in a shortlist of three.

The 25-year-old, who starred at last year’s Asian Cup, has helped UAE reach the third round of World Cup qualifying while his team Al Ain is into the AFC Champions League final.

Should Al Ain beat Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to win the Champions League, Abdulrahman will be even more strongly tipped for the award over China’s Wu Lei and Hammadi Ahmed of Iraq.

Wu is Shanghai SIPG’s all-time top-scorer with 114 goals and he also holds the record for the youngest professional appearance in China, aged 14 years and 287 days.

Iraq international Hammadi plays for Baghdad’s Air Force Club, who became the first Iraqi winners of the AFC Cup, the region’s second-tier club tournament.

The women’s nominations are dominated by Australians in the form of Matildas captain Lisa De Vanna and Caitlin Foord, part of their squad at the Rio Olympics.

China’s Tan Ruyin, who scored a 40-yard screamer against South Africa at the Rio Games, rounds out the women’s shortlist. 

The winners will be announced at an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on December 1.

Shortlists

Men’s player of the year: Omar Abdulrahman (UAE, Hammadi Ahmed (IRQ), Wu Lei (CHN)

Women’s player of the year: Caitlin Foord (AUS), Lisa De Vanna (AUS), Tan Ruyin (CHN) — AFP