Kengo Nakamura
Half a dozen of Asia's best players are contending for the title of the Asian Player of the Year. IMScouting decided to give you a brief look over the six contenders.
Mohamed Noor. Despite Saudi Arabia's failure to qualify for the World Cup, the "Saudi Patrick Viera" had a wonderful year, in which he was in the form of his life. The classy midfielder is so versatile that he even played this year as a winger. His energetic approach to the game and his technique on the ball together with leadership skills sent Al Ittihad Jeddah to the final of the AFC Champions League.
Firas Al Khatib. The 26-year-old Syrian striker who has been plying his trade in the gulf in recent years has been in wonderful form this year. Al Khatib displayed his vast array of attacking skills this year to earn a recall to the Syrian national team, and also earn a mega-move from Kuwaiti side Al Arabi (where he was playing since 2003) to rival side Al Qadsia, reportedly for 2 million dollars. This diminutive yet strong attacker has wonderful technique and is truly a two-footed player. He seems ready for a move to Europe.
Hadi Aghily. Sepahan's 28-year-old central defender was actually born in Cyprus but has spent his entire career in Iran. The tenacious defender is a good reader of the game and he was close to joining Bundesliga side Freiburg in the summer, but the move collapsed. Aghily lacks pace and the accuracy of his long passes is questionable, yet he did manage to complete an impressive season with his club and national team.
Sayed Mohamed Adnan. The 26-year-old Bahraini defender is a very interesting player. His heroics at the back were a major factor in Bahrain’s impressive World Cup qualifying campaign. He has also been very impressive for his Qatari club side, Al Khor. Adnan, a tall central defender, is also a highly technically skilled player and a free-kick specialist who can surprise many goalkeepers with his excellent shot.
Kengo Nakamura. A 29-year-old central midfielder with excellent all-around skills, Nakamura had a great 2009 season with six goals and five assists in 38 appearances. His determination, superb passing ability and ability both to score and assist make him a worthy candidate for the prize.
Yasuhito Endo. Gamba Osaka's midfielder is truly one of Asia's best players. At the age of 29 he has recorded nine goals and five assists this season, showing his vast array of talent. According to IMScouting scouts in Japan, Endo is "a free kick specialist to match David Beckham, an ace penalty taker, his corners are pinpoint, and he has a creativity that matches the best dribblers and passers in the game. Can see three passes ahead of the play."