Endo Asia player of the year, S.Korea team of year

Japan’s Yasuhito Endo was voted Asian player of the year, while South Korean club Pohang Steelers and the country’s national team both picked up prizes at a colourful ceremony here on Tuesday.

The Asian stars were honoured at the annual Asian Football Confederation awards amidst a glittering showpiece of traditional dance and acrobatic performances.

South Korea dominated the award ceremony, winning national team of the year, coach of the year for the country’s Huh Jung Moo and club of the year for the Ponhang Steelers.

The country’s Ki Sung Yueng bagged the men’s young player of the year award while Japan’s Mana Iwabuchi was named women’s young player.

Japan won the fair play award while Syria’s General Farouk Bouzo was given the lifetime achievement award.

A happy Endo said he was delighted with the accolade.

“I am honoured to win this award. Last year I was nominated but I did not win. I will continue to strive to play a better football,” he said.

Endo, a 29-year-old creative midfielder who has won 80 caps for Japan, was nominated in 2008.

The other four nominees for the award were fellow Japanese player Kengo Nakamura of Kawasaki Frontale, Bahrain’s Sayed Mohamed Adnan from Qatari club Al Khor, Iran’s Hadi Aghily of Sepahan, and Syria captain Firas Al Khatib of Kuwait club Al Qadsia.