Iraq’s Hammadi Ahmed was in confident mood ahead of Thursday’s 2016 AFC Awards in Abu Dhabi.
The AFC Cup’s top scorer and Most Valuable Player attended Wednesday’s press conference alongside fellow nominee Wu Lei although UAE’s Omar Abdulrahman was absent as he played in Al Ain’s 2-1 win over Al Dhafra.
“Being named among the top three players in Asia is an achievement by itself. I have won all the awards in the AFC Cup and now hope to win this one,” Hammadi announced.
The striker however insists that Al Ain’s defeat in the AFC Champions League final doesn’t give him or Lei an advantage over Abdulrahman.
Presenting the Player of the Year trophy!
— The-AFC.com (@theafcdotcom) November 30, 2016
Who'll be the winners of this prestigious award? #TheAFC #AFCAwards2016 pic.twitter.com/jhOycRZfbd
“The statistics play a greater role. As everyone knows, I’ve won three awards in the AFC Cup. I think that will give me a good chance. We as players and spectators were supporting Al Ain to win the trophy. We were not looking at individual awards.
“Omar is a voted player. He served his team and did his best. May the best man win tomorrow!”
Following his recent success, there is plenty of speculation around the Hammadi’s future and he revealed that he is carefully weighing up his opportunities.
“I got so many offers even before we won the AFC title but I prefer to be patient in choosing the club. I want it to be a good club that I can add to them and they can add to me. I already got three offers from Qatar league clubs but I’m still studying every aspect of this scenario.”
Ahmed Khalil became the first UAE player to win the award last year and backs Abdulrahman to follow suit.
#UAE's Omar Abdulrahman couldn't make it but here are the other #AFC POTY nominees at the press conference in Abu Dhabi.. pic.twitter.com/ArFKf9SmtX
— Brendon Netto (@BrendonNetto) November 30, 2016
“I believe Omar is the favourite. I said it when I won last year that since both Omar and I made the final shortlist, we both deserved it. And when I won it, I said Omar will definitely get back to the shortlist and must win it.”
Meanwhile, Abdulrahman has adopted a laidback approach.
“At the end of the day this is an individual award and I would’ve preferred to win the AFC Champions League. But it wasn’t to be. I’m proud to be up for this award but will not be upset if I don’t win.”
Lei, who famously made his professional debut at 14, has amassed a club record 114 goals for Shanghai SIPG and claims the nomination fulfils a boyhood dream.
“This is something I have been dreaming about since I was a young boy. I am very happy and honoured to be regarded as one of Asia’s best players this year. It proves your ability and of course, I hope to win.”
Aussie duo Lisa de Vanna and Caitlin Foord as well as China’s Tan Ruyin were nominated for the AFC Women’s Player of the Year award.
“The fact that two Australians have been nominated this year shows how far women’s football has come in our country. I think anyone in our team could’ve been nominated. It shows what we have achieved,” Lisa De Vanna said.
Abdulrahman was named AFC Champions League Most Valuable Player this season and will be hoping to be crowned the continent’s finest at the ceremony held at The Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.
