The 22-year-old beat out Matildas teammate Lisa De Vanna and Chinese midfielder Tan Ruyin.

 “I would like to start of by congratulating Lisa and Tan also on an amazing year,” she said.

“I wasn’t really expecting this to be honest.”

She won the FIFA Best Young Player at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, making her just the second woman in history to claim both gongs along with China’s Ma Xiaoxu.

The Sydney FC forward overcame injury to star for the Matildas at the Olympics after transitioning from a defensive role, scoring two goals for Australia throughout the campaign.

She is just the third Australian to claim the prize.

“I would like to thank the FFA, Staj (Alen Stajcic), the rest of my Matildas teammates,” she said.

“Me winning this trophy reflects on obviously an amazing year us Matildas have had. I’m taking this on behalf of all of them.

“Lastly, I would like to thank my Mum and my sister for all their support. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

In the other awards, Australian referees Kate Jacewicz and Renae Coghill, along with India’s Uvena Fernandes, claimed the AFC Referees Special Award.

UAE’s attacking midfielder Omar Abdulrahman won the men's best player award.