Matildas defender Carpenter crowned Asia's best

Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter has been named the Asian Football Confederation's best Women's player for 2020.

Ellie Carpenter in action for Olympique Lyonnais Source: Getty Images

The 20-year-old beat a star-studded field to take out the award including Australian teammates Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord.

It caps off a massive 2020 season for Carpenter which featured a W-League title with Melbourne City and being named Australian Young Footballer of the Year for the third consecutive time.

She wrapped up the year with a move to France to join women's football powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais and was on the bench as the side won the UEFA Women's Champions League for a record fifth time.

Carpenter was the youngest player to be shortlisted for the award, with her incredible achievements for both the Matildas and in club football a major factor in the win. 

The award was decided by hundreds of thousands of fan votes, as well as votes from an independent panel of experts.

Japanese star and Carpenter's Lyon teammate Saki Kumagai finished second in the final vote, while Foord and Kerr were third and fourth.