Gold category

AFC Referees Special Award: Football Australia expressed joy over the news that Matildas' captain Sam Kerr won the AFC Player of the Year Award, on Wednesday.

According to the national governing body for football, the recognition underscores Kerr's exceptional dedication and contributions to the sport, marking her as one of the elite players not just in Asia, but globally, reports Xinhua.

Having become just the third AFC women's footballer to win the award more than once, the 30-year-old striker is also the first Australian player - male or female - to claim one of Asia's top prizes on multiple occasions.