Irmatov was one of the best referees at this year’s FIFA World Cup finals 2010 in South Africa.

He beat out the challenges of fellow World Cup referees Yuichi Nishimura, of Japan, and Saudi Arabia’s Khalil Al Ghamdi.

“I am naturally very proud to receive this award for the third time. It has been achieved with all the hard work and effort not just of myself but of all those people that have supported me,” said Irmatov after receiving the award from AFC Vice-President Yousuf Al Serkal.

“I would like to thank my assistants and my teachers who have helped me along the way. I would also like to thank the people of Uzbekistan who have supported us all along the way. This award is for them.

“Of course, the World Cup in South Africa was the most memorable time of the year for me by far.

“Our target for 2011 is that we succeed at the AFC Asian Cup.”

Irmatov, 33, impressed with his deft handling of the FIFA World Cup opener between South Africa and Mexico.

He went on to equal the record for number of matches in charge in a single FIFA World Cup – five - when he took charge of the Netherlands-Uruguay semi-final.

The Uzbek earned 9.02 points for his performances in 2010 compared to Nishimura’s 8.88 and Al Ghamdi’s 8.8.

Nishimura was praised for his World Cup performances as well as his refereeing in the the 2010 AFC Champions League final between Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and Zob Ahan.

In South Africa, he was the fourth official of the final between Netherlands and Spain, having earlier refereed Uruguay vs France in a group game and the quarter-final between the Netherlands and Brazil.

Al Ghamdi took charge of two matches in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, including the tense Group A clash between Mexico and France and the Group H tussle between Switzerland and Chile.