A public poll to select strikers for the AFC Dream Team is now open, with Maldivian football legend and National Football Team forward Ali Ashfaq (Dhagandey) on the shortlist along with 12 other stand-out strikers from the Asian region.

While Ali Ashfaq made it on the shortlist of strikers for an AFC Dream Team, he is joined by Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri as well. The voting for this poll will be open until 2pm on Friday. While the AFC's Dream Team will be comprised over a 3-4-3 formation, three forwards with the most votes from the shortlist will be showcased on the team.

Maldivian National Team defender Akram Abdul Ghani (Aku) was also recognized by the AFC earlier as one of their top defenders, but had failed to make the Dream Team due to a lack of votes.

Ali Ashfaq first played in the AFC at age 18 in 2004, and has since played in 10 AFC competitions. Ashfaq has scored goals in every one of his AFC appearances, with a career count of 29 goals in AFC matches under his belt at present. Ali Ashfaq ranks 7th place on the AFC Cup's top scorers list.

Ashfaq has played AFC Cup matches while representing New Radiant Sports Club, Club Valencia, VB Addu FC and TC Sports Club, and has played a critical role in securing goals in his AFC appearances.

While the AFC has shortlisted Ali Ashfaq as one of their best strikers, he previously won the AFC bracket challenge for the most memorable goal as well. Ashfaq also won the best solo-goal challenge with the most public votes, for his goal in the 2013 AFC Cup's confrontation between New Radiant and Indonesia's Persibo, which ended with a resounding 7-0 win for the Maldivian team.