In a landmark year that has cemented Asia’s dominance in global women’s football, the three nominees have each left an indelible mark with their exceptional performances.
If playing in front of a home crowd at the FIFA Women’s World Cup was not momentous enough, Australia’s Cortnee Vine engraved her name in the history books with her winning spot kick against France last August which saw the Matildas become the first-ever senior Australian side, men or women, to make the last four of the global showpiece.
The Australian winger also delivered stellar performances for Sydney FC, with 10 goals and six assists to her name which contributed to the Sky Blues’ record fifth A-League Women’s championship.
Currently playing for North Carolina Courage in the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League, the 26-year-old Shepparton native will face fierce competition from Japan’s Seike, whose 20 goals and 10 assists in the WE League propelled the Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies to their second consecutive title and earned her the accolades of Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer, and a spot on the league’s Best XI.
Seeking to emulate her compatriots Homare Sawa, Aya Miyama, and Saki Kumagai, Seike did not hold back her delight on being nominated for the award.
“It’s an honour to be nominated for this wonderful award, and I want to thank all the people who supported me. Recognition at the Continental level shines a light on the WE League and I hope it will make more people in Japan tune in to watch the league in action,” said Seike, who also helped the Japanese side clinch the AFC Women’s Club Championship™ in 2023.
Seike’s impeccable season soon saw her called to foreign shores. Bidding farewell to 10 years in Japan, she now plies her trade for England’s Brighton Hove & Albion and is relishing the idea of new challenges and possibilities.
“Last year, I scored in 10 consecutive league games and the expectations for me to deliver became higher and higher. I was able to perform thanks to my incredible teammates’ support, for which I am truly grateful.
“But I still have a long way to go and am excited to keep scoring and testing myself. So I have taken on the challenge of continuing performing at a high level in the Women’s Super League and look forward to leading my new team to the highest level of success,” she added.
Joining the two talismans is Korea Republic’s Kim Hye-ri, the most experienced of the trio. Donning the captain’s armband for both club and country, the 34-year-old became only one of seven players to appear at three FIFA Women’s World Cup editions for the Taeguk Ladies when she captained the East Asians at Australia & New Zealand 2023.
“Being nominated for the AFC Women’s Player of the Year and getting one more chance to represent Korea Republic is truly an honour. My experience from three different FIFA Women’s World Cups is something invaluable that boosts my confidence every day,” said Kim.
“If I win, I would feel I’m receiving this on behalf of all female footballers in Korea Republic, and I would owe it to the hard work of my teammates on the national team and with Hyundai Steel Red Angels.”
Since joining the Incheon-based side in 2014, Kim’s ever-reliable presence at the back has been pivotal in their remarkable decade-long title defence, and she also found the net during their runner-up finish in the AFC Women’s Club Championship™ last year. Yet, despite her achievements, Kim’s focus remains simple.
“I don’t set long-term goals,” she explained. “Instead, I just aim to play football with joy and happiness for as long as I can. Every moment, from the league victories to my (FIFA Women’s) World Cup appearances, has given me more confidence and motivation to keep playing. I hope my journey can inspire others in Korea Republic to believe that they can do it too.”
