The AFC Asian Cup is Asia’s biggest football tournament, held every four years. Top national teams compete for the title, showcasing some of the best players on the continent.
One special award in the tournament is the Golden Boot, given to the player who scores the most goals. Over the years, stars from Iran, South Korea, and other nations have claimed this honor, creating memorable moments and goal-scoring records.
This article lists all Golden Boot winners, highlighting their achievements and records
AFC Asian Cup Golden Boot Winners: Overview
This overview of AFC Asian Cup Golden Boot winners reveals the top scorers and their remarkable contributions to Asian football.
| Year | Player | Nation | Goals Scored |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Nahum Stelmach | Israel | 4 |
| 1960 | Cho Yoon‑ok | South Korea | 4 |
| 1964 | Inder Singh | India | 2 |
| 1968 | Homayoun Behzadi | Iran | 4 |
| 1972 | Hossein Kalani | Iran | 5 |
| 1976 | Gholam Hossein Mazloumi | Iran | 3 |
| 1980 | Behtash Fariba | Iran | 7 |
| 1984 | Jia Xiuquan | China PR | 3 |
| 1988 | Lee Tae‑ho | South Korea | 3 |
| 1992 | Fahad Al‑Bishi | Saudi Arabia | 3 |
| 1996 | Ali Daei | Saudi Arabia | 8 |
| 2000 | Lee Dong‑gook | South Korea | 6 |
| 2004 | A’ala Hubail | Bahrain | 5 |
| 2007 | Younis Mahmoud | Iraq | 4 |
| 2011 | Koo Ja‑cheol | South Korea | 5 |
| 2015 | Ali Mabkhout | United Arab Emirates | 5 |
| 2019 | Almoez Ali | Qatar | 9 |
1.1956 – Nahum Stelmach (Israel, 4 goals)
Nahum Stelmach was Israel’s standout forward in the inaugural AFC Asian Cup. Scoring four crucial goals, he helped Israel dominate early matches, showcasing excellent positioning and finishing.
His goals were vital in securing Israel’s strong performance in the first edition, establishing him as Asia’s first recognized top scorer and setting a benchmark for future Golden Boot winners.
2.1960 – Cho Yoon-ok (South Korea, 4 goals)
South Korea’s Cho Yoon-ok led the scoring charts with four goals in the 1960 tournament. Known for his agility and precise finishing, Cho’s contributions helped South Korea maintain attacking dominance.
His goals were decisive in tight matches, reflecting his technical skill and marking him as one of Asia’s early prolific scorers in the continental competition.
3.1964 – Inder Singh (India, 2 goals)
Inder Singh emerged as India’s top scorer in the 1964 AFC Asian Cup, netting two vital goals. His performances highlighted India’s attacking potential, especially in an era when Asian football was still evolving.
Singh’s ability to find space and convert chances under pressure helped India compete strongly, earning him recognition as one of the tournament’s early Golden Boot winners.
4.1968 – Homayoun Behzadi (Iran, 4 goals)
Iran’s Homayoun Behzadi dominated the 1968 edition with four goals. Known for his strength and striking instincts, Behzadi scored consistently, giving Iran an edge in crucial matches.
His contributions helped Iran establish itself as a rising power in Asian football, and his Golden Boot highlighted his exceptional goal-scoring ability during a competitive early era of the tournament.
5.1972 – Hossein Kalani (Iran, 5 goals)
Hossein Kalani led the 1972 AFC Asian Cup with five goals. His exceptional attacking runs and clinical finishing made him Iran’s key offensive threat.
Kalani’s goals were instrumental in Iran’s strong showing, and his performance solidified his status as one of Asia’s premier forwards, inspiring future Iranian players to aim for the Golden Boot in subsequent tournaments.
6.1976 – Gholam Hossein Mazloumi (Iran, 3 goals)
Gholam Hossein Mazloumi scored three goals to claim the Golden Boot in 1976. His precise finishing and movement off the ball made him a constant threat to defenders.
Mazloumi’s goals helped Iran maintain a dominant presence in the tournament, contributing to both team success and his recognition as one of the continent’s most skilled forwards of the era.
7.1980 – Behtash Fariba (Iran, 7 goals)
Behtash Fariba’s remarkable seven-goal tally in 1980 remains one of the highest in AFC Asian Cup history. His speed, composure, and clinical finishing terrorized defenses, helping Iran secure victories with decisive scoring.
Fariba’s performance not only earned him the Golden Boot but also highlighted the growing attacking quality in Asian football during the 1980s.
8.1984 – Jia Xiuquan (China PR, 3 goals)
China PR’s Jia Xiuquan led the scoring with three goals in 1984. A versatile attacker, Jia combined vision with precise shooting, often scoring in critical moments.
His goals played a key role in China’s strong performance, and he became a leading figure in Chinese football, inspiring future generations to compete for the Golden Boot in Asia’s top tournament.
9.1988 – Lee Tae-ho (South Korea, 3 goals)
South Korea’s Lee Tae-ho scored three vital goals in the 1988 AFC Asian Cup. Renowned for his positioning and finishing, he consistently threatened opposition defenses.
Lee’s goals were crucial in close matches, helping South Korea remain competitive, and his performance earned him recognition as one of Asia’s top scorers of the late 1980s.
10.1992 – Fahad Al-Bishi (Saudi Arabia, 3 goals)
Fahad Al-Bishi scored three goals in the 1992 edition, leading Saudi Arabia’s attack. Known for his speed and sharp finishing, he converted key chances to help his team progress through the tournament.
Al-Bishi’s performance secured him the Golden Boot and demonstrated Saudi Arabia’s growing dominance in Asian football during the early 1990s.
11.1996 – Ali Daei (Saudi Arabia, 8 goals)
Ali Daei’s incredible eight-goal tally in 1996 cemented his reputation as Asia’s lethal striker. His powerful shots and aerial ability overwhelmed defenses, helping Saudi Arabia dominate several matches.
Daei’s performance not only earned him the Golden Boot but also showcased why he became one of Asia’s all-time top scorers, setting a record that inspired future generations.
12.2000 – Lee Dong-gook (South Korea, 6 goals)
Lee Dong-gook scored six goals to claim the 2000 Golden Boot. His agility, tactical awareness, and finishing skills helped South Korea achieve strong results. Lee’s performance highlighted the technical growth of Asian football and reinforced South Korea’s reputation for producing top forwards capable of dominating continental tournaments.
13.2004 – A’ala Hubail (Bahrain, 5 goals)
Bahrain’s A’ala Hubail led the 2004 tournament with five goals. Known for his precision and attacking intelligence, Hubail scored in critical moments, helping Bahrain advance against stronger teams.
His Golden Boot win highlighted Bahrain’s emerging football talent and Hubail’s ability to compete with Asia’s top forwards at the highest level.
14. 2007 – Younis Mahmoud (Iraq, 4 goals):
Younis Mahmoud scored four goals in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, guiding Iraq through tense matches. His leadership, strength, and finishing skills were crucial in tight games.
Mahmoud’s performance earned him the Golden Boot, reflecting both individual brilliance and his role in Iraq’s surprising and inspiring tournament journey.
15. 2011 – Koo Ja-cheol (South Korea, 5 goals):
South Korea’s Koo Ja-cheol scored five goals to win the 2011 Golden Boot. His versatility, speed, and ability to finish from distance made him a constant threat.
Koo’s performance underlined South Korea’s offensive strength and his individual talent, marking him as one of the standout players in recent AFC Asian Cup history.
16. 2015 – Ali Mabkhout (UAE, 5 goals):
Ali Mabkhout’s five-goal haul in 2015 secured the Golden Boot for the United Arab Emirates. Known for his positioning and clinical finishing, Mabkhout consistently scored in crucial matches, helping the UAE remain competitive.
His performance highlighted the rise of Gulf footballers in Asia and set a benchmark for future strikers in the region.
17. 2019 – Almoez Ali (Qatar, 9 goals):
Almoez Ali’s record-breaking nine goals in 2019 made him the tournament’s standout performer. His speed, composure, and goal-scoring instincts led Qatar to dominate opponents, earning them continental glory.
Ali’s Golden Boot not only highlighted his personal talent but also emphasized Qatar’s rise as a footballing power in Asia, inspiring a new generation of players.
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Conclusion: Players From Iran and South Korea Have Won The Most AFC Asian Cup Golden Boot Awards
The AFC Asian Cup Golden Boot has honored Asia’s best goal-scorers for decades. From Nahum Stelmach in 1956 to Almoez Ali in 2019, each player made their mark with memorable goals.
These winners didn’t just score; they inspired their teams and fans, showing skill, speed, and composure on the biggest stage. Their performances helped shape the tournament and raised the level of Asian football.
