Ahmad-Abbasi retains Iran’s futsal dominance in AFC Awards
AFC – Iran stalwart Saeid Ahmad-Abbasi was named the latest Asian Futsal Player of the Year at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 on Tuesday.
Abbasi continued a proud Iranian tradition in the award’s history by becoming the sixth different player from his nation to win, following in the footsteps of record four-time recipient Ali-Asghar Hassanzadeh, legendary Vahid Shamsaei, who picked up the award on three occasions, Mohammad Taheri, Mohammad Keshavarz, and Moslem Oladqobad.
Having been edged to the prize by Oladqobad in 2022, there was no denying Ahmad-Abbasi on his second nomination after his eye-catching tournament display at the Futsal Asian Cup in Thailand in April.
The 32-year-old scored in five of Team Melli’s six matches, including the final showpiece, to finish with eight goals and one assist as Iran clinched a record-extending 13th triumph. The success was sweet redemption for the Central Asians, who had relinquished their crown in 2022, and Ahmad-Abbasi also took home the Most Valuable Player and Yili Top Scorer trophies.
Born in Tonekabon, Abbasi first donned international colours in 2017 and the pivot recently returned to IR Iran by joining Giti Pasand in June after spending time abroad with Spain’s Viña Albali Valdepeñas since November 2022.