The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has named a North Korean as its Asian woman soccer player of the year.

In an awards ceremony Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur, the regional body honored North Korean goalie Ri Kum-suk over Japan's Homare Sawa and Collette McCallum of Australia.

Ri was recognized for leading her team to the final eight at the Women's World Cup in September after allowing only 40 goals in 65 A-matches.

The goalie shared the stage with the rest of her squad, which was named national women's team of the year. The AFC also gave rookie honors to the captain of the North's under-19 team Ra Un-sim, whose squad came out on top at last month's Asian Cup.