Malaysia - IRAN international forward Mehdi Mahdavikia was named the AFC Player of the Year for 2003 on Wednesday, becoming the third player from his country to claim the honour since it was inaugurated in 1994.

Japanese sensation Yoshito Okubo claimed the Young Player of the Year award, while Iraq won the the National Team of the Year in other awards presented in Kuala Lumpur.

Following a stellar season with German club Hamburg, Mahdavikia has been crowned the continent’s best footballer of 2003, beating out Thailand's Therdsak Chaiman, of BEC Tero Sasana, and Uzbekistan's Dynamo Kiev striker Maksim Shatskikh for the prestigious award. In effect, he emulated the feats of compatriots Ali Daei and Khodadad Azizi, who captured the prestigious award in 1999 and 1996 respectively.

While technically the honour is bestowed for achievements in a calendar year, such was Mahdavikia’s consistency throughout the 2002/03 Bundesliga campaign that there were few quibbles with the decision. Hamburg fans overwhelmingly voted Mahdavikia as their Player of the Year after he helped the side finish fourth in the league to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

Although the 26-year-old registered just two goals during the league campaign, his ability to create chances for others was - and still is - the defining quality of the popular Iranian, borne out by the fact that he topped the 2002/03 Bundesliga chart for goal assists.

On the international front, Mahdavikia also made an invaluable contribution, setting up two goals for Iran as they defeated New Zealand 3-0 to claim the AFC/OFC Challenge Cup in October.

The former Pirouzi star is no stranger to Asian football’s Hall of Fame, having won the AFC Youth Player of the Year and Goal of the Year awards in 1997.

AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam praised the player, saying: "Mahdavakia has made a name for himself, for his club, for his country and for his continent. The AFC are very proud to have him as our ambassador."

For Yoshito Okubo, being named AFC Young Player of the Year ahead of Iraqi sensation Younis Mahmoud and UAE's Ismail Mattar has cemented his status as the most promising of the current batch of talented youngsters to roll off the J.League production line.

The 21-year-old was the shining light for Cerezo Osaka, his eight goals in 15 games propelling the side promoted from J2 to a fifth-place finish in the First Stage of the J.League. Although Cerezo couldn’t maintain that level, ultimately finishing 12th in Stage Two, Okubo continued his fine goal-scoring form, adding another eight to his personal tally.

After scoring for the Japan Olympic team in their 8-0 aggregate win over Myanmar, Okubo was drafted into the senior squad by coach Zico for the FIFA Confederations Cup in June, where he played in all Japan’s games.

In 2002, he starred for the Under-20 team which finished runners-up to Korea Republic in the AFC Under-20 Championship in Qatar and the Asian Games squad which returned from Busan with the silver medal.

Though relatively small in stature, Okubo possesses a powerful right foot and excellent dribbling skills, and is hotly tipped to follow the trail to Europe blazed by Japan’s previous AFC award winners, Shinji Ono (Player of the Year 2002, Young Player of the Year 1998) and Hidetoshi Nakata (Player of the Year 1998, 1997).

HONOUR ROLL

AFC Player of the Year
Mehdi Mahdavikia - Hamburg (GER) and Iran

AFC Young Player of the Year
Yoshito Okubo - Cerezo Osaka (JPN) and Japan

AFC National Team of the Year
Iraq

AFC Coach of the Year
Cha Kyung-bok - Seongnam Chunma (KOR)

AFC Club of the Year
Al Ain (UAE)

AFC Futsal Team of the Year
Iran

AFC Women's Player of the Year
Bai Jie - China

AFC Women's Team of the Year
China

AFC Match Official of the Year
Moradi Masoud (Iran)

AFC Fairplay Award
Korea Republic

"Biggest honour of my career": Mahdavikia

Kuala Lumpur - IRAN international star Mehdi Mahdavikia described winning the 2003 AFC Player of the Year award as a dream come true after being crowned the continent's best footballer on Wednesday.

"It's a great honour to win this award," said the Hamburg star. "There are so many top-quality players in Asia and to be considered the best among all of them is just incredible.

"I felt I played very well for Hamburg last season and I hope I can continue to play well for my club and my country.

"It's the biggest honour of my whole career," added the 26-year-old, who received his award at a gala event in Kuala Lumpur. "I had a dream to be the best player in Asia so my dream has come through. It's an honour for me, for my country, and my teammates.

"The award means that I have more responsibility to my club and the national team. People in Iran will expect more from me and I am happy to accept that responsibility."

Mahdavakia, who has been nicknamed the "King of the Golden Pass" , led the German Bundesliga in goal assists during the 2002/03 season and was also voted by Hamburg fans as their Player of the Year after helping his team to fourth place in the league and a spot in the UEFA Cup.

Despite being a firm fan favourite at Hamburg, the former Pirouzi player could be on the move when his contract expires in a month's time. While the Bundesliga side are keen to sign the Iranian star to a new contract, Mahdavakia is considering his options, having been approached by rival Bundesliga sides as well as English Premier League clubs.

Winning the AFC Player of the Year award will only increase the value of Mahdavakia, who has also played for German side Bochum and came close to signing for English Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur in 1998.