The Best Asian Soccer Players

Yasuhito Endo, Gamba Osaka midfielder, was selected as the Asian Player of 2009. Endo is the fourth Japanese player who had won these prestigious awards.

"I hope to be role models for young players anywhere and give hope to the rest of Asian football," Endo said that Japan successfully carried through to the World Cup finals in 2010.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Tuesday (24/11) announced the winners of the Asian Player of the Year 2009. Determination of the winner based on points awarded the match commissioner and the official AFC technique.

Endo managed to come out a winner by collecting 20 points. Japanese midfielder's 29-year old beat compatriot Kengo Nakamura, Sayed Adnan Mohamed (Bahrain), Firas Al Khatib (Syria), and Hadi Aghily (Iran). Endo became the fourth Japanese player who won the Asian Player of the Year award after Masami Ihara (1995), Hidetoshi Nakata (1997-98), and Shinji Ono (2002).

Endo this year three times in the fight to strengthen Japan's Asian Cup 2011 qualifier. He also appeared three times during 2010 World Cup qualifying. In the arena of the Asian Champions League, Endo Gamba Osaka appear defended six times.