Speaking at the AFC Annual Award gala Thursday, Zhang said Asian teams "had flown the Asian flags higher" by putting up convincing performances at FIFA tournaments, reports Xinhua.
"Today, the Asian teams are serious contenders for titles worldwide," Zhang said.
The Japan women's football team, which won the silver medal at the London Olympics after lifting the FIFA Women's World Cup last year, was awarded the AFC National Team of the Year for Women 2012.
The South Korean Olympic team was named the best men's national team of the year as the team won the bronze medal in London. The South Korean team defeated Japan, another Asian team in the third place play-off.
Meanwhile, Zhang mentioned that many Asian football players have been pursuing higher career achievement outside Asia and admitted the urgency to "expand the horizon of the AFC awards".
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