Yasuhito Endō Wins Asian Player of the Year

By: chris | November 25th, 2009

Quick: name the last three Asian Player of the Year winners.

You can’t, can you? One maybe? I managed last year’s winner Djeparov, but my spelling was suspect and I only knew the name because of his ridiculous mullet-cum-bangs. The last three is merely an exercise in futility. And disinterest.

Endo is obviously not quite as much of an unknown as Djeparov, what with starring for the Japanese national team – the Japanese team which makes major tournaments – and all, but unless you follow Gamba Osaka, this is probably news to you.

The video above shows his one overwhelming skill beyond the box-to-box midfield qualities: a free kick genius. So he’s kind of the Japanese Shunsuke Nakamura.

Wait.

But one of the best parts about this award is though the last six winners have come from Asian clubs, it’s not exclusive to those who ply their trade on the Asian continent – it encompasses all Asian footballers, playing in Europe and beyond. The AFC could’ve easily selected the player based on the name on the front of his jersey – Park Ji-Sung, for example – because playing for a big club means he must be the best. But they went the better route, and this gives it a greater sense of legitimacy.

So watch out for Endo and his ridiculous free kicks in South Africa.

	Soccer Forums	Team/International Results

Category: Asia

Tags: Asia, Asian Player of the Year, Bunyodkor, Gamba Osaka, Japan, Sergey Djeparov, Uzbekistan, Yashuhit Endo

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• Ro |  November 25th, 2009 at 6:37 am

  
  
  

  Endo is pretty awesome….If he has a good world cup, Id be surprised if a european side doesnt come knocking

  Posted from United States

  

• Brett |  November 25th, 2009 at 7:02 am

  
  
  

  Endo is a jet

  Posted from Republic Of Korea

  

• Luka |  November 25th, 2009 at 7:31 am

  
  
  

  They have recently implemented a rule whereby if the player isn’t present at the presentation ceremony, he will not be eligible to receive the award – hence the lack of Euro-based players winning the award as of late.

  Posted from Australia

  

• New Jack |  November 25th, 2009 at 5:29 pm

  
  
  

  Looking forward to seeing the Asian Young Player of the Year Ki Sung-Yong coming to Europe in January, he touted as the Korean Gerrard, we’ll see…

  Posted from Ireland

  

• Aidan |  January 6th, 2010 at 4:34 am

  
  
  

  It’s not completely correct that the AFC player of the year award is open to European based players. The nominations come from the MVP ratings from all AFC sanctioned matches, which is AFC competition clubs matches, and AFC internationals.

  Clearly the international matches includes players no matter where their club is, but the other part doesn’t so it will always favour those from an Asian based club. Players not competing in an AFC club tournament are also excluded because of this.

  http://www.the-afc.com/en/afc-annual-awards-2009/26137-endo-wins-afc-player-of-the-year-award

  So it’s not exactly a full reflection of who is the best Asian player at the moment, but there you go…

  http://japan.worldcupblog.org/group-f/afc-player-of-the-year-yasuhito-endo.html

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

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