Singapore referee Shamsul Maidin has been named AFC Referee of the Year for the second time.

He beat nine others to take the title.

Shamsul was a referee in several AFC and FIFA tournaments in the past year.

He was also selected by FIFA to be one of the official referees at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in June this year.

The 40-year-old officiated at three World Cup matches and was deemed to have done well.

The Singaporean, together with the rest of the winners, received his award at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi.