Chinese teenage sensation Ma Xiaoxu admitted that nominations for both the AFC Women's Player of the Year and AFC Youth Player of the Year awards were a bit unexpected.

Speaking to the-afc.com, Xiaoxu, who bagged the MVP and Golden Boot awards in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship this year, said: "Though I did expect to be nominated, it was only for the women's award. I was surprised when I heard that I was in the running for the youth award too."

This is the first time in the history of the AFC awards that a woman player has been nominated for the AFC Youth Player of the Year award. In this category, Ma is challenging the all-male contingent of Davrondzhon Tukhtasunov (Tajikistan), Kim Kum-il (DPR Korea), Yasuhito Morishima and Yoichiro Kakitani (both Japan) for the honours.

For the label of Asia's best women's player, Ma is in the fray with Jung Jung-suk (Korea Republic), Kil Son-hui (DPR Korea), Ri Kum-suk (DPR Korea) and China team mate Zhang Yanru.

"I hope I can win both (awards)," said Xiaoxu who is currently in Guangzhou with the Doha Asiad-bound Chinese women's squad.

"I have been performing well and this has been an important year for me as I played for the China women's national team in Australia and also the China u-20 team in Russia. I have been with the senior team for only a short time but my rapport is good."

About her chances of playing overseas, Ma said: "I will give it a try if there are any possibilities but right now I am concentrating on playing for China and my club Dalian Shide."

As is to be expected, Ma pointed out that the upcoming Doha Asian Games would be a major challenge. "Our target is to win the gold but this won't be easy as Japan and DPR Korea have been playing well. DPR Korea will be our toughest opponents."

Ma hoped to step up a gear for the FIFA Women's World Cup in China next year. "I have to start working hard from now on and improve so that I can give my best next year and help my country get a good result."

(Source: the-afc.com November 22, 2006)