AFC - Iran legend Ali Karimi has admitted that he was taken by surprise by his nomination for the 2012 AFC Player of the Year award but win or lose he has vowed that the recognition will serve to further motivate him for club and country.

The 2004 AFC Player of the Year has been shortlisted for the 2012 title alongside Ulsan Hyundai star Lee Keun-ho and Guangzhou Evergrande's versatile defensive midfielder Zheng Zhi.

"Winning and losing does not matter, but this event will definitely push me to work harder for my national team and my club in future," the 34-year-old Persepolis player said at a press conference on the eve of the 2012 AFC Annual Awards Ceremony, which will be held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

"It's not only about winning this trophy," continued the former Bayern Munich playmaker.

"It's an honour just being here and being in the running for the award.

"To be very honest, I was surprised to see my name in the last five nominees and could not believe it when the AFC short-listed it to three and still I was there.

"I did not have a great year in terms of my team's results but still I believe there are certain things in my game which prompted the jury to make me one of the last three nominees."