Persianfootball.com KUALA LUMPUR,After Iran and Esteghlal skipper Javad Nekounams nomination for the AFC Asian Player of the Year trophy, also Irans national team made it among the final three candidates for the national team of the year category.
Beside Team Melli also Japans national team and Iraqs u-20 national team are among the nominees.
Iran won seven out of eight competitive matches this year while drawing one with an 18-2 goal difference, qualifying for both the 2014 FIFA World Cup as well as the 2015 Asian Cup as top team of the group.
Furthermore, three Iranian teams or individuals were nominated as well. Sanaye Giti Pasand as Futsal Team of the Year, their key player Hossein Tayebibidgoli as Futsal Player of the Year and Hassan Kamranifar as Assistant Referee of the Year.
The winners will be honoured at the 2013 AFC Annual Awards ceremony, which will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on November 26.
Below come all nominees.
AFC ANNUAL AWARDS 2013 NOMINEES
(in alphabetical order)
AFC DIAMOND OF ASIA
Dr. Chung Mong-Joon
AFC DREAM ASIA AWARD
AFC FAIR PLAY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR
China Football Association
Japan Football Association
Korea Football Association
AFC FUTSAL TEAM OF THE YEAR
Chonburi Bluewave (Thailand)
Sanaye Giti Pasand (Iran)
Nagoya Oceans (Japan)
AFC ASIAN INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Keisuke Honda (Japan; CSKA Moscow)
Son Heung-Min (Korea Republic; Bayer Leverkusen)
Yuto Nagatomo (Japan; Inter Milan)
AFC ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR
WOMEN
Flynn Allyson Clare (Australia)
Sarah Ho (Australia)
Teshirogi Naomi (Japan)
MEN
Kamranifar Hassan (Iran)
Nagi Toshiyuki (Japan)
Sagara Toru (Japan)
AFC REFEREE OF THE YEAR
WOMEN