Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai is the only footballer from Vietnam nominated for the Best Footballer of Asia Award by Titan Sports and Fox Sports Asia.

Hai, 21, is also a candidate for the Vietnam Golden Ball this year following his outstanding performances in the national premiere league for Hanoi FC and for the national team in the AFC U23 Championship final in China in January, the Asian Games in Indonesia in August and at the ongoing AFF Suzuki Cup. This is the first time a Vietnamese player has been represented among the 24 nominees. First launched in 2013, the award is one of the most important events of the year for Asian footballers. This year, 42 leading journalists from across the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nations will vote on the candidates. The deadline for the vote is December 20.- VNA