The Korea Herald

지나쌤

Korean coach nominated for top Asian football award

By Shin Ji-hye

Published : Nov. 11, 2016 - 20:12

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Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors boss Choi Kang-hee has been nominated for the top Asian football coach award.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Friday announced nominees for its annual awards and Choi was shortlisted for the AFC Coach of the Year honor.

The 57-year-old South Korean is up against two Japanese coaches-- Makoto Teguramori and Atsushi Uchiyama. Teguramori managed the Japanese men's Olympic football team at the Rio de Janeiro Summer Games, while Uchiyama guided Japan to the U-19 Asian Championship title this year.

Choi led Jeonbuk to the AFC Champions League final, where they will face Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this month. In the domestic K League Classic, Jeonbuk finished the runners-up this season, but they set the league record with a 33-match undefeated streak.

Choi will look to become the eighth South Korean to win this award.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) was nominated in two categories, including the AFC Dream Asia Award, which is given to those who contributed to social development using football.

The 2016 AFC Annual Awards ceremony will be held in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 1. (Yonhap)