AFC Awards Riyadh 2025:
Iran’s Jafari makes history, wins Women’s Coach of the Year prize
History was made at the 2025 AFC Awards on Thursday as Marziyeh Jafari became the first-ever Iranian to win the Asian Women’s Coach of the Year prize at the prestigious ceremony in Riyadh.
Beating Chinese Taipei coach Lu Kuei-hua and Thailand U20 manager Nuengrutai Srathongvian to the award, Jafari was recognized following a remarkable year with both the Iranian women’s national team and domestic top-flight champion Bam Khatoon.
Jafari successfully steered Iran through the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in July, securing Team Melli’s second consecutive berth at the continental showpiece following its 2022 debut.
Needing nothing less than victory in its final qualification showdown, Iran defeated Jordan 2-1 in Amman to progress to next March’s finals in Australia.
What made the feat even more remarkable for Jafari is the fact that the 43-year-old had only been appointed to the Iranian job three months before the qualifiers.
“I’m thrilled to have won this prestigious award. This is a great and ever-lasting honor for me,” Jafari said in a video message on Thursday night.
“I sincerely thank all the players and everyone who has stood by me over the years, as their role in this success has been truly significant.
“I hope I’ve brought joy to the people of my country and showcased the true potential and competence of all Iranian women.”
Only the third Iranian woman to be nominated for the award – after Shahrzad Mozaffar (2010) and Katayoun Khosrowyar (2019) – the Bam-born coach also guided her hometown club from the preliminary stage of the 2024/25 AFC Women’s Champions League all the way to the quarterfinals, where Khatoon fell 1-0 to South Korea’s Incheon Red Angels in March.
Having begun her coaching journey at just 17, Jafari has been the driving force behind Bam Khatoon’s domestic dominance since joining the club in 2008. Promotion to the top flight followed a year later, and in 2011 she captured the first of 11 league titles – the most recent coming in March.
Aqapour’s accolade
It was business as usual for Iran in the Futsal Player of the Year category, as Salar Aqapour claimed the award ahead of club and country teammate Moslem Oladqobad – the 2022 winner – and fellow first-time nominee Muhammad Osamanmusa of Thailand.
Aqapour became the seventh Iranian – and third in succession – to win the prize, following Vahid Shamsaei, Mohammad Taheri, Mohammad Keshavarz, record four-time winner Aliasghar Hassanzadeh, Oladqobad, and Saied Ahmadabbasi.
Aghapour’s eye-catching displays at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 saw him get the nod ahead of team-mate Moslem Oladghobad, the 2022 winner, and fellow first-time nominee Muhammad Osamanmusa, as he became the seventh IR Iran player and the 16th overall to win the prize.
The 25-year-old, renowned for his mercurial skills and spectacular goal catalogue, recorded goal contributions in every match for the country at the 2024 Futsal World Cup, tallying six goals and three assists as Iran reached the round of 16 in Uzbekistan.
Part of the Iran side that lifted a record 13th Asian Cup trophy in Thailand last year, as well as the victorious AE Palma de Mallorca team in the UEFA Futsal Champions League 2023/24, Aqapour has cemented his status as a world-class talent and currently plies his trade for Gohar Zamin.
There was another familiar face for the Iranians among the winners as Alireza Faghani, representing Football Australia, was part of the trio to win the AFC Referees Special Award – alongside Anton Shchetinin and Ashley Beecham.
Elsewhere, Saudi Arabian maestro Salem Al Dawsari was named the AFC Player of the Year, with Japan star Hana Takahashi claiming the AFC Women’s Player of the Year honor.
Al Dawsari was recognized for a stellar 2024/25 season that saw him finish as top scorer in the AFC Champions League Elite to help Al Hilal reach the last four, while also starring at the FIFA Club World Cup in their run to the last eight. At domestic level, the 34-year-old became the all-time assist leader in the Saudi Pro League and scored 15 times.
Takahashi spearheaded Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies’ domestic cup triumph as well as a third-placed league finish, while featuring in their journey to the AFC Women’s Champions League quarterfinals. The defender was deployed upfront to great effect, scoring 12 times across all competitions.