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.

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Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai

Each reporter will rank five players from their top choice to their fifth choice. The selected players are awarded six, four, three, two, or one points respectively.

Journalist Truong Anh Ngoc is the only Vietnamese representative invited by the organizing board to take part in the vote.

The Southeast Asian region has one representative besides Hai: goalie Neil Etheridge of the Philippines.

The deadline for the vote is December 20.

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.

Source: VNA