Khalil named Asian player of the year

UAE sharpshooter Ahmed Khalil stunned compatriot Omar Abdulrahman and China's Zheng Zhi on Sunday as he was named Asian player of the year at a glittering ceremony in India.

The 24-year-old former youth player of the year could hardly believe his good fortune when his name emerged from the envelope at the Bollywood-themed show in Gurgaon, near New Delhi.

Much of the smart money had been on 2013 winner Zheng, after he led Guangzhou Evergrande to their second AFC Champions League title in three years. But instead it was Khalil who accepted the trophy from Asian football boss and FIFA presidential hopeful Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.