According to The Associated Press, Awana, who was made famous by his impressive backheel penalty kick earlier this year, was riding in a car that collided with a truck in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"I feel the loss of one of my family," UAE soccer president Mohammed Khalfan al-Rumaithi said on UAE soccer's website. "I felt bitter tragedy. May the almighty bless him and may he rest in eternal peace."
Awana was a rising star in his homeland, playing for UAE club Bani Yas. He was one of many talented young players to emerge from the Middle East in recent years. The winger played four games at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Championships, scoring one goal. He also had three caps for the UAE national team, scoring once.
The UAE was preparing to play South Korea in a World Cup qualifier on Oct. 11.
His viral backheeled penalty kick was scored during his country's 7-2 defeat of Lebanon in a July FIFA World Cup qualifier, which can be seen in the video below.
