Asia 50, Part I & II

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Asia 50, Part I & II

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Legend Group: Forum Members Posts: 19K, Visits: 0	Asia 50, 2017: A groundbreaking Indonesian helps kick things off Let the countdown begin. For the third straight year, FourFourTwo are bringing you our list of the 50 best Asian footballers competing around the globe. Here we kick things off with players ranked from 50 down to 31... by Staff Writers Published 22 May 2017 NO.50 BOAZ SOLOSSA Solossa is the first Indonesian to crack our Asia 50 and we think that’s just reward for a player widely considered the country’s best talent since the Bambang Pamungkas era ended in 2012. While he may no longer possess quite the same speed as when he burst onto the scene back at the 2004 AFF Championship, known then as the Tiger Cup, his leadership on and off the field has been an example for every Indonesian footballer to follow. Even when the country faced a 12-month FIFA ban, Boaz ensured his skills and determination remained intact for their expected return and he duly would play a starring role as Merah Putih made it all the way to the 2016 Suzuki Cup final. They would fall just short in the decider against Thailand, but Boaz earned great praise from his teammates. “Boaz has a lot of experience and he was the right man to be our captain,” fellow Indonesian star Andik Vermansyah said. “In the final against Thailand, he played really, really well. He is always so calm, but out on the field his determination is always very high.” Boaz also enjoyed club success, winning the 2016 Indonesia Soccer Championship, contributing 11 goals and three assists along the way. – Tio Utomo NO.49 THEERATHON BUNMATHAN Theerathon surprised Thai football fans by moving from Buriram United to fierce rivals Muangthong United in the second half of last season. The move proved an astute one, however, after the Twin Qilins secured a Thai League and FA Cup double. The 27-year-old possesses all the skills required of a top-shelf left-back and is also a set-piece specialist when it comes to free-kicks and corners. He can also be pushed forward to act as a winger or midfielder if required. A brilliant free-kick against Kashima Antlers in the AFC Champions League in February underlined his dead-ball ability, his fifth goal from a free-kick in that competition. He also recently scored another of his famous goals directly from a corner against Bangkok United. – Kritikorn Thanamahamongkhol NO.48 NAWAF AL-ABED Having shot to international prominence as a teenager in 2009 when he scored what’s believed to be the fastest goal in the history of professional football – catching the keeper off-guard after just two seconds – the Saudi international’s career has continued on an upward trajectory ever since. Famed for his acrobatic goal-scoring celebrations, he’s had plenty of occasions to use them given his highlight reel collection of wonderful strikes. Naturally a left-footed player, the 27-year-old is just as capable with his right and for a player on the smaller side (1.68m) he’s also scored his fair share of headers. A key cog in the Al Hilal side that swept all before it in the domestic league this season, losing just twice in finishing a full 11 points ahead of Al-Ahli, Al Abed chipped in with seven goals across the campaign and was also a key contributor in the team’s charge to the Round of 16 in the Asian Champions League (ACL). At national level he’s starred too, starting each of the Saudis’ final World Cup qualifying group stage matches and scoring in three of them to confirm his place as one of the most influential midfielders in Asian football. – Scott McIntyre NO.47 MAT RYAN Last year the Aussie shot-stopper was No.12 on our list, a slight drop from No.8 the previous year, but he hasn’t been able to maintain those lofty standards, falling all the way to 47th in 2017. Over the past 12 months, Ryan hasn’t been able to take the next step in his career that he would have anticipated, largely due to injury and a lack of opportunities. He only managed 23 appearances over two seasons with Valencia, opting to take up a switch to Belgian club Genk in January 2017, on loan from La Liga. It was an understandable move from the Socceroo, who really launched his career in the Belgian league when he represented Club Brugge from 2013-2015. Voted the best Goalkeeper in Belgium in 2014 and 2015, he played 102 games for Brugge and won the 2015 Belgian Cup before moving to Spain. With Genk, he conceded 15 goals from 19 appearances this season. It will be interesting to see whether he returns to Spain at the end of his loan spell or opts to continue his career elsewhere. – Tio Utomo NO.46 KARIM ANSARIFARD Once named in a FIFA list of youngsters to watch back in 2012, the 27-year-old striker has yet to make quite the impact expected of him in Europe. Shifting around a number of Iranian clubs and having one season with Osasuna in Spain, Ansarifard moved to Greece in 2015 to revive his career and did just that after scoring 11 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions last season with Panionios. He reportedly attracted offers from AEK, PAOK, Feyenoord and Marseille before moving to Greek champions Olympiacos in January 2017. The Iranian international’s brace in the first knockout stage of this year’s Europa League then carried Olympiacos into the round of 16, where they would bow out against Turkish giants Besiktas. Ansarifard could have an even bigger 2018 ahead, with league champions Olympiacos once again involved in next year’s Champions League and Iran topping their 2018 World Cup qualifying group following an unbeaten third round to date. – Vijhay Vick NO.45 TRENT SAINSBURY It has been quite an 18 months for the Australian defender. For many, just heading to the Chinese Super League to play alongside big-money stars such as Alex Teixeira and Ramires would have been enough, but there was much more to come. Sainsbury was an authoritative presence in the middle of the Jiangsu Suning defence, playing his part as the Nanjing team finished second in 2016. It was expected that he would then be an integral part of the team as it attempted to go one better this season, both at home and in Asia. Instead, he was soon off to Italy to join Inter Milan, one of the biggest clubs in the world. Playing time in Serie A has been non-existent so far, although he is still active with Australia and their quest to reach another World Cup. A proper taste of Italy and it really would have been a year to remember. – John Duerden NO.44 KIM JIN-SU At the 2015 AFC Cup, South Korea finally found the left-back they had been looking for ever since the retirement of former Tottenham Hotspur defender Young-Pyo Lee. Kim Jin-Su was the only Korean to play every minute of Korea’s six games, providing speed, versatility and his accurate left-foot as his nation made it all the way to the final, losing to Australia in extra-time. Following two frustrating seasons with Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim, Kim joined Jeonbuk Hyundai in the K-League in 2017 and blew away any doubts about his ability by scoring with a free-kick on debut. With two goals and three assists in his first 10 games so far, Kim has added his attacking talents to the 2016 AFC Champions League champions. The 24-year-old, who is also known for his long throw-ins, has also regained his place in the national team thanks to his performances in the K-League. - Jaemin Hong NO.43 KENGO NAKAMURA Proving age is merely a number, this former Japanese international was the heartbeat of Kawasaki Frontale in their J.League title challenge in 2016. Frontale finished second in the league standings before losing to eventual winners Kashima Antlers in the championship semi-finals, but a certain 36-year-old could certainly keep his head high. Nakamura’s efforts did not go unnoticed as he became the oldest player to win the J.League Player of the Year award at the end of 2016. He scored nine goals in 31 appearances from midfield and became the first Frontale player to bag the award. Nakamura, who has appeared for Japan 68 times, was also named in the J.League Best XI for the sixth time. His Frontale side, meanwhile, topped its group in this year’s Asian Champions League and will take on Thai club Muangthong United in the round of 16. – Vijhay Vick NO.42 YUYA OSAKO He started his career at Kashima Antlers in the J.League in 2009 before taking his talents to Germany four years later, first with TSV 1860 Munchen and then FC Koln, where he became a regular contributor. An attacking midfielder who had scored eight goals in his 30 appearances for his club at the time of writing, he’s keen on forging his own identity and doesn’t like comparisons to some of his compatriots. ”There is no comparison. Big players like (Shinji) Kagawa or (Atsuto) Uchida can’t even go shopping in Japan without being noticed. For me, that’s no problem,” Osako said when asked about his reputation in his home country. While he may not enjoy their profile, Osako is putting together an impressive career, including being voted Bundesliga Player of the Month for January after his fantastic displays with an assist and two goals against Darmstadt. That gave him the nod ahead of fellow January candidates Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben. – Tio Utomo NO.41 NAM TAE-HEE The fact he has been given the nickname of the “Qatar Messi” by Qatari football fans tells you all you need to know about this versatile, attacking threat. He has every aspect required of a strong No.10 – great vision, technique, dribbling skills and, of course, fantastic free-kicks. He has forged a slightly unusual path in his career for an Asian player, commencing with Reading FC’s academy back in 2007 before signing his first professional contract with French club Valencienne FC two years later. He made his professional debut against AS Nancy at the age of 18 and spent just over two years in France before moving to Qatari club Lekhwiya in January 2012 seeking more playing time. It proved a wise move as the 25-year-old quickly made a big impact in the Middle East. He became the club’s all-time top-scorer in December 2016 and capped off an outstanding 12 months by being named Qatar player of the year on May 20, beating Xavi Hernandez and Hassan Al-Haidos to the award. – Jaemin Hong NO.40 ZHENG ZHI The phrase “old but not obsolete” is absolutely appropriate when discussing 36-year-old Zheng Zhi, who is still operating at a high standard for both club and country despite being in the twilight of his long and successful career. –– ADVERTISEMENT –– With stops at both Charlton Athletic and Celtic in the UK, Zheng is a living legend, with his list of achievements on home soil almost impossible to top. He has lifted the Chinese Super League trophy eight times with three different teams, including the past six straight with the all-conquering Guangzhou side. He has also picked up two AFC Champions League winners’ medals and been named in the CSL team of the year nine times, the last coming in 2015. In August last year he announced he would retire from the national team at the end of its bid to reach the 2018 World Cup and while he slipped from No.19 to No.40 on this year’s Asia 50, he continues to defy Father Time. – Kritikorn Thanamahamongkhol NO.39 MOHAMMAD AL-SAHLAWI The goals have dried up a little after his exploits in 2015, but make no mistake about Al-Sahlawi's capabilities. The Saudi Arabian striker, top-scorer of the Saudi Professional League in the 2014/15 season, managed eight goals as Al-Nassr finished third in the just-concluded 2016/17 season. He is still regarded as a potent striker but Al-Sahlawi's lack of goals saw him play only a bit-part role in Al-Nassr’s 2016 AFC Champions League campaign, when they reached the round of 16. Al-Sahlawi is still part of Saudi Arabia's 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign and has scored once after seven rounds of matches in the on-going final round, with his nation currently level on points with Japan atop Group B. He scored an impressive 14 goals for the Green Falcons in the second round. – Vijhay Vick NO.38 HASSAN AL-HAIDOS Having already captained his country at the age of 26, the lively Al Haidos is a key figure for both his club and national side. The tall yet slender forward is equally capable of playing through the middle or up front but has found more of a home as a winger this season. It’s from there that he’s been a key creator for an Al Sadd outfit that finished second in the league and won the Qatar Cup last month – with a key assist coming once again from Al Haidos. Although most of his eight goals across the 2016/17 season came via the penalty spot, it was a league-high 11 assists that really stood out for a man widely regarded as one of Qatar’s most gifted and influential attacking players. An ever-present for the national team for whom he wears the No.10 shirt, the Doha-born man has grabbed two of the three goals Al Annabi has managed over a disappointing final round of World Cup qualifiers. – Scott McIntyre NO.37 TIM CAHILL Football may not be the most popular sport in Australia, although it is making great strides, but Tim Cahill is a name all sports fans in the country – and even those with little interest in on-pitch pursuits – know well. An A-League study in 2016 listed him as more popular among fans than even Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, names that are familiar the world over. Having played abroad since 1997, with most of his time spent in England with Millwall and Everton, the 37-year-old's return to the A-League to sign for Melbourne City in August 2016 attracted widespread interest. He was akin to an ambassador and frontman for the national competition as he pushed viewership numbers up and City's membership increased by 37 per cent. He scored 11 goals in the recently-completed A-League campaign as the club finished fourth and was knocked out in the elimination finals by Perth Glory. At an age when many players have moved into coaching or the broadcast booth, Cahill is still part of the Socceroos squad and the nation's record goal-scorer has expressed no desire yet to retire from international duty. – Vijhay Vick NO.36 KAWIN THAMSATCHANAN Thailand had some issues trying to find a top international goalkeeper. That is, until Kawin Thamsatchanan came along. At just 1.82m, the 27-year-old is relatively short by goalkeeping standards, but he otherwise has all the attributes a good keeper needs: reflexes, shot-stopping skills, an ability to deal with one-on-one situations and aerial ability. Last season he kept 16 clean sheets for Muangthong United, a rate of better than one every two games, while he was also a standout in the Champions League. He kept an impressive four clean sheets in six games and even the three goals he conceded against Kashima Antlers didn’t prevent the Twin Qilins from claiming the joint-best defensive record in the group stage this season, along with Kawasaki Frontale and Jiangsu Suning. Although Thailand conceded 19 goals in seven games while being eliminated from the third round of 2018 World Cup qualifying, Kawin kept four clean sheets and played a key role in Thailand’s defence of their Suzuki Cup crown in December. – Kritikorn Thanamahamongkhol NO.35 FENG XIAOTING Despite all the headlines that have been written about the big-name stars moving to the Chinese Super League, it is often overlooked that the local players are improving too. None can have improved as much as this centre-back. Always technically sound, Feng used to make two or three mistakes in every game and could be relied upon to go walkabout from time to time. Since joining Guangzhou Evergrande, however, Feng has gone from strength to strength and was one of the standout players, local or foreign, in the entire league in 2016 as his team won a sixth straight title. Positionally, he has come on in leaps and bounds and appears certain to keep his place at the centre of the Southern China Tigers' defence for years. He has also earned praise from Fabio Cannavaro, a man who knows more than most about what it takes to be a top central defender. – John Duerden NO.34 BRAD JONES At 35 years of age, many had assumed that Brad Jones’ best years were behind him, yet not only has he shone in one of Europe’s bigger leagues, he’s smashed a series of records along the way in being one of the continent’s most impressive custodians. A key cog in the club’s first league title in 18 years, secured with a 3-1 victory over Heracles Almelo on the last day of the season to pip Ajax by one point, when Jones recorded his 14th clean sheet for the season earlier this year he surpassed a club record that had stood for more than 20 years. He would finish with a league-high 17 clean sheets from 32 appearances. It’s not just domestically where he’s starred though as he was also a standout in Feyenoord’s Europa League campaign, named in the official Best XI of the group stage. As former Dutch international keeper Pim Doesburg said earlier this year, “it’s as though he’s fallen from heaven”, and even though his advanced age has kept him out of an international recall, he’s still a key figure in our top 50. – Scott McIntyre NO.33 LEE JAE-SUNG One of the most underrated players in Asian football, Lee was integral to the Jeonbuk Motors as the South Korean team won the Asian Champions League last November. Lee did not make the headlines that Brazilian attacker Leonardo garnered, but he was just as vital to the club's success. Capable of directing play from deep in midfield or further forward if necessary, he rarely puts a foot or a pass wrong, and the 24-year-old is increasingly able to control games. While he is far from flashy, he has plenty of talent and no little flair when needed, so it’s surprising he isn’t one of the first names on the South Korean team sheet. Coach Uli Stielike could do worse than build the Taeguk Warriors around one of the most intelligent players in Asia. Lee has been attracting interest from Europe and it is only a matter of time before he heads west. – John Duerden NO.32 ZHANG LINPENG Previously linked with moves to Chelsea and Leicester City and armed with the nickname the ‘Chinese Sergio Ramos’, Zhang is one of seven defenders on our list, although he slipped from No.18 last year to No.32 in 2017. "Ramos is a great player, so it is encouraging to be compared to him by the supporters," said Zhang, who is recognised for his aerial ability and strength in one-on-one situations. "But my favourite player is ex-Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic. He impresses me with his mentality, inspirational play and his technique." The 28-year-old has collected trophies for fun during his time with Guangzhou Evergrande, adding a league and Chinese Cup double to his ever-growing cabinet last season. Similarly to Ramos, Zhang can play as a central defender or right wing-back and combines tackling and passing skills with speed, leading to him being named in the Chinese Super League team of the year for four consecutive years (2013-2016). With Zhang in tow, Guangzhou are once again leading the way as they bid for a seventh consecutive CSL title. – Tio Utomo NO.31 MATHEW LECKIE The Australian may not be a prolific attacker, but he is the type of player every coach wants in their team. Leckie was part of Australia’s Asian Cup-winning squad in 2015, which was their first major title since moving from Oceania to the Asian Football Confederation. Having already enjoyed spells in Germany with Borussia Monchengladbach and FSV Frankfurt, his performances caught the eyes of Ingolstadt, who he helped to promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in their history at the end of the 2014/15 campaign. A 1.82m forward, Leckie possesses plenty of strength and pace, as well as a never-say-die attitude that was partly nurtured while he played the uniquely Australian sport of Aussie Rules football as a child. He has also popped up with some important goals for the Socceroos, scoring against both Iraq and the UAE in March to help his side to four potentially crucial World Cup qualifying points on the road to Russia. – Kritikorn Thanamahamongkhol https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/asia-50-2017-a-groundbreaking-indonesian-helps-kick-things Asia 50, Part II: 'Thai Messi' and the 'Syrian Ibrahimovic' make the cut In the second installment of this year's annual series, we venture through the English Premier League, the Bundesliga and the A-League and also check in with a J.League-bound superstar. Published 4 hours ago NO.30 FAHAD AL-MUWALLAD As fast as they come, Al-Muwallad has established himself as one of the most dangerous attackers in the whole of West Asia and at the tender age of just 22, there is still plenty more to come. The winger has been used sparingly to some effect by Saudi Arabia coach Bert Van Marwijk during qualification for the 2018 World Cup, but with his pace and dribbling skills, he has added an extra dimension to their attack. Few would have expected the Green Falcons to be level on points with Japan atop of their group with three games remaining, but that is where they sit and the Al Ittihad man has played his part, most notably in a 3-0 win over local rivals United Arab Emirates in October. Al Ittihad fans love their home-grown star, while wishing that he could be just a little more consistent. That seems to be coming and, when it does, the man known as ‘The Cheetah’ will really be one to watch. – John Duerden NO.29 MEHDI TAREMI Not just a regular scorer but a regular scorer of key goals, Iranian standout Taremi is one of the hottest properties in West Asia. Following on from his Golden Boot-winning season the year prior (where he finished a full five goals clear of his next challenger), he once again topped the charts domestically in Iran this season with his 18 goals coming at better than one every couple of matches. If that wasn’t enough his goal plundering ways continued on the continent as he grabbed a hat-trick on the final Asian Champions League matchday against Al Wahda to confirm Persepolis’s place in the second round. Moreover, of the nine goals his club scored in the group stage, the 24-year-old from south-western Iran was responsible for no fewer than six of them as his power, pace, touch and finishing shone throughout. Having scored the match-winning goal in each of Iran’s past two World Cup qualifiers to boot, this is a young forward very much on the rise. – Scott McIntyre NO.28 IGOR SERGEEV Just 24, the tall striker has already packed plenty into his career. With Uzbek giants Pakhtakor, he took a little time to get settled but once he did, and the service started coming into the penalty area, Sergeev started scoring for fun. In the past three seasons at the club, he netted well over a goal every other game. That took him to China in 2016 for a loan-spell with Beijing Guoan that never worked out and he was soon returning back home. Sergeev is young enough to try his luck abroad again, however, and has already shown that he can score goals in Asia, with eight in his last 12 appearances in the Asian Champions League. The goals have dried up a little for the national team, but the headache he presents for defenders remains, as does the confidence that when Uzbekistan needs its star striker, Sergeev will be there. – John Duerden NO.27 MILE JEDINAK Finishing 28th on last year’s list, Jedinak has risen one place this season, just reward for a solid first campaign with Aston Villa. Emerging as a critical figure in the heart of the Villa midfield, the club won 44 per cent of its matches and drew 26 per cent when the Aussie was on the pitch. Without him, that win percentage plummets to just seven per cent, with one victory in 14 matches. Used at times as more of a defensive midfielder by new manager Steve Bruce, his tackling and clearances proved crucial to a side that at one stage flirted with disaster before finishing in mid-table, following its relegation from the Premier League at the end of 2016. “He doesn’t play in a spectacular way, but defensively he’s given us that solidness and he makes us difficult to beat,” Bruce said of Jedinak’s performances this season. – Tio Utomo NO.26 TEERASIL DANGDA Having demonstrated a winning mentality and leadership skills at club side Muangthong United, the striker was selected to wear the captain’s armband at the 2016 Suzuki Cup. It was a role he clearly relished, scoring six goals to finish as the tournament’s leading scorer and lead his nation to glory for a record fifth time. A former striker with La Liga side Almeria, Teerasil has taken over the mantle as the No.1 marksman at club and national level over the past couple of seasons. The 28-year old scored 11 goals last season and made history by taking his tally past 100 strikes with one club in the Thai League back in March. He is also developing into a proven performer on some of the biggest stages. As well as his Suzuki Cup exploits, Teerasil scored twice in a 2-2 draw against Australia at Rajamangala Stadium, helping Thailand secure their first point in the final round of 2018 World Cup qualifying. – Kritikorn Thanamahamongkhol NO.25 MASSIMO LUONGO The box-to-box midfielder does not provide a glut of goals, but is still regarded as a key player by Queens Park Rangers (QPR) boss Ian Holloway, who has said "the squad is weaker without him in the line-up". Though not a regular starter for the Socceroos in their World Cup qualifying campaign, Luongo is a valuable part of Ange Postecoglou's planning. The 24-year-old reportedly turned down offers to play in the lucrative Chinese Super League when he signed a contract extension in February, tying him to the Championship side until 2020, stating he wanted to work his way into the English Premier League. The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder and MVP of Australia’s victorious campaign at the 2015 Asian Cup seems to have his head in the right place, rejecting a switch to then-EPL side Aston Villa in favour of regular football at QPR back that same year. – Vijhay Vick NO.24 KOO JA CHEOL Having commenced his career with Jeju United in his native South Korea, Koo has spent the past seven years competing in the Bundesliga, making stops with Wolfsburg, Augsburg and Mainz before returning to the Wolves in 2015. The midfielder was having a strong season this year, providing three goals and three assists in 25 games, before his campaign ended early due to a torn ligament in his right knee. It was a cruel blow for the 28-year-old, who has been forced to miss the closing stretch of the German season as well as upcoming World Cup qualifiers. He has made over 50 appearances for his country and takes great pride in representing his nation. "When you wear the national team jersey, that means you're ready to play and give your best," he has said previously. Prior to his injury he had been used in various positions, including as a defensive midfielder and wider on the left, and is blessed with great technique and vision. Last year he became the second Korean to score a hat-trick in the Bundesliga, after ex-Bayer Leverkusen star Son Heung-min, who did it twice before his switch to Tottenham. – Tio Utomo NO.23 HIROKI SAKAI Arriving in France at the start of the 2016/17 season on a free transfer, Sakai quickly became a fan favourite with standout performances in his right-back role. Sakai has been among the best players in his position in Ligue 1 in his first season and Marseille fans may be wondering how Bundesliga side Hannover allowed his contract to run out after a four-year stay. Sakai, who began his career at Japanese outfit Kashiwa Reysol as a teenager back in 2009, provides an attacking flair down the right with his overlapping runs and is a tough defender to get past. Sakai has also been a hit with his teammates, many of whom have gone on record to praise his attitude. The club even offered him a sushi with a candle in it on his 27th birthday last month. Marseille have picked themselves up this season after finishing 13th last year, with Sakai helping the club climb all the way to fifth and secure a Europa League place. – Vijhay Vick NO.22 TOM ROGIC It was another good year for the former A-League star and it would have been a good deal better if it wasn’t for an ankle injury that kept him out of a chunk of the second half of the European season. Yet he has shown the mental strength to bounce back from setbacks before and even with his absences, the elegant midfielder has established himself as one of the best players in the Scottish League. The big question ahead of next summer is whether he will leave for a bigger stage. Celtic fans know that their ‘Wizard of Oz’, as they have nicknamed the 24-year-old, will be going sooner or later. He has the technique, awareness as well as a fine football brain to shine on a bigger stage. He will also be back among the Socceroos in June to help them in their bid to clinch a place on the biggest of all, the 2018 World Cup. – John Duerden NO.21 ODIL AHMEDOV The Arsenal link that followed the midfielder after his breakout performance for Uzbekistan at the 2011 Asian Cup was premature and unsettled the player for a while. The move to Shanghai SIPG at the start of 2017, however, seemed perfectly timed. Perhaps the biggest compliment to be paid to this driving midfielder is that he has not looked out of place at all alongside Hulk, Oscar and Elkeson. Indeed, while rule changes have made it harder for Asian players to get Chinese Super League playing time, Ahmedov is bucking that trend and sometimes keeps one of the much bigger names out of the matchday squad – coach Andre Villas-Boas is clearly a fan. At the moment, he is not only helping the Reds challenge on two fronts, but trying to lead Uzbekistan to a first-ever World Cup. His winning goal against Qatar in March has given the Central Asians renewed hope. – John Duerden NO.20 JAMES TROISI In a career that promised so much but had often been a rollercoaster ride due to injury and perhaps some poor moves, Troisi's last 12 months have been a fulfillment of all that promise. A key contributor for a Melbourne Victory team that in any other year would have been the A-League’s dominant force (Sydney FC only lost one match all year), so irresistible was the 28-year-old’s form that he won his place back in the Socceroos squad. –– ADVERTISEMENT –– Sitting at the point of the middle line in the Victory’s 4-3-3, Troisi was a key creator, providing more assists (seven) than any other local midfielder in the league and chipping in with six goals to boot. That saw him finish fourth (and the highest-placed Australian) in the tally for the A-League’s Player of the Year at the conclusion of a season where he was a consistently impressive threat with his movement, passing and vision. – Scott McIntyre NO.19 SHINJI KAGAWA After losing confidence at Manchester United under David Moyes, Kagawa returned to German giants Borussia Dortmund in 2014, the club where he made his name as part of title-winning teams in 2011 and 2012. The 2015/16 season would prove one of his best, selected to the Bundesliga team of the year after scoring nine goals and adding as many assists to be an integral part of one of the more revered attacking teams in Europe. The 28-year-old is one of the most successful Asian players in Europe, featuring in more than 200 matches and adding the 2012/13 Premier League title to his German accomplishments. Also a member of Japan’s Asian Cup-winning side back in 2011, if the Samurai Blue want to make an impact at next year’s World Cup in Russia, it’s likely their No.10 will need to be firing on all cylinders. – Kritikorn Thanamahamongkhol NO.18 HAMMADI AHMED A talented sharpshooter, Ahmed also possesses skills away from the pitch. “He was very fast and technically good,” former Iraq coach Zico said in November last year. “He was a maths professor in his spare time.” He has an excellent record in Asian Football Confederation tournaments, scoring the only goal in last year’s AFC Cup final as his club Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya overcame Bengaluru and won the tournament for the first time in its history. Having netted 16 goals in just 11 games, he finished as the tournament’s top-scorer and was also runner-up in the Asian Footballer of the Year award to Omar Abdulrahman. With his team still in contention to defend its AFC Cup title this year, competing in the West Asia Zonal semi-finals, plenty of their success is down to the versatile Ahmed, who can play as a striker or a right-winger. – Tio Utomo NO.17 MAKOTO HASEBE The Japan national captain continued his stellar European career with yet another season in the top flight of one of global football’s best leagues. Whilst the 33-year-old’s pace may be slowing, his football intelligence remains as high as ever and whether as the lone anchor in a 4-1-4-1 or as part of a double pivot in Frankfurt’s shifting 4-2-3-1, he was a key presence in both breaking up play and then keeping things ticking over when in possession. Having played all bar 66 minutes of Frankfurt’s league and cup ties since early October, there aren’t many players on our list who’ve contributed as regularly for a team in one of the planet’s most competitive leagues. He’s even managed to chip in with a goal and an assist from his deep station. – Scott McIntyre NO.16 MAYA YOSHIDA This Japanese international only really got his career going in England in the 2016/17 season. Merely a back-up in most of his previous four seasons with Premier League regulars Southampton, the defender has made the most of opportunities provided following the departure of Jose Fonte and injury to skipper Virgil van Dijk. So much so he is now a beloved figure by the fans and coach Claude Puel, who anointed Yoshida among his captain's in the squad behind van Dijk and Steven Davies. He captained the side in a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion and also scored the winning goal against Crystal Palace in April. A steady member of the national team, inheriting the armband when usual skipper Makoto Hasebe is unavailable, Yoshida demonstrated his resilience by playing almost 3,000 minutes in over 30 games this season. He was also picked for the President's Choice Award in the 2016/17 Southampton player honours in a season where he became the first Japanese player to chalk up 100 Premier League appearances. – Vijhay Vick NO.15 CHANATHIP SONGKRASIN It’s been another excellent year for the “Thai Messi”, who improved his game significantly after moving from Tero Sasana to Muangthong United, winning his inaugural league title to qualify for the AFC Champions League for the first time. –– ADVERTISEMENT –– RELATED CONTENT Read about Chanathip's plans in this exclusive interview He began earning attention across Asia, winning the man of the match award three times from his first five matches in the group stage as the Twin Qilins reached the knockout round for the first time in their history. The 23-year-old also earned a long sought after move overseas and will link up with Japanese side Consadole Sapporo in July. At international level, Chanathip is also an indispensable member of the War Elephants. Even though Thailand only picked up one point from seven matches in the third round of World Cup qualifying, Chanathip earned plaudits for his classy performances against Japan, the UAE and Australia. He was also named Suzuki Cup player of the tournament for a second consecutive time as Thailand won the title once again. – Kritikorn Thanamahamongkhol NO.14 OMAR AL SOMAH It is commonplace for footballers across Asia to be given nicknames related to some of the best to play the game, with the likes of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona often referenced. Omar Al Somah is another in this category, aka the “Syrian Ibrahimovic”. Scoring at a rate of better than a goal a game for Saudi club side Al-Ahli, Al Somah is a lethal finisher renowned for his free-kicks. Standing 193cm tall and combining great strength with impressive jumping ability, he is a menace when it comes to aerial duels. He helped Al-Ahli to the Saudi league title last season, pacing the competition with 27 goals from 26 matches. Al Somah had a brief trial with Nottingham Forest back in 2012 that didn’t lead to a contract and while he has just turned 28 years old, if he continues scoring at his current rate perhaps he can earn another shot somewhere in Europe. – Tio Utomo NO.13 YUYA KUBO Having made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in his homeland, the continuing rise of the new starlet of the Japanese national team shows no sign of slowing down. Now 23, the wide midfielder or forward has just capped off a stellar 12 months in Europe where he began the season in Switzerland, scoring five goals in 10 starts for Young Boys, before a high-profile move to Gent in Belgium in January. To say he’s made a bit of an impact would be an understatement as he’s already scored at better than a goal every two matches, including some wonder strikes that will make the highlight reels for years to come. Continuing on from his goals in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers for Japan in March, from the start of April to the start of May he scored in three straight league matches (with four goals in five overall) and he’s already been mentioned as a target for some of Europe’s biggest clubs. This is a player who could well be in our top five this time next year. – Scott McIntyre NO.12 ALI MABKHOUT Over the past 12 months, the United Arab Emirates have emerged as a major player on the Asian stage, courtesy of a golden generation of talent, particularly in an attacking sense. Sitting alongside Omar Abdulrahman and Ahmed Khalil is striker Mabkhout, with all three making our Asia 50 for a second consecutive year. The 26-year old Mabkhout made his mark by finishing as the top scorer in the 2015 Asian Cup with five goals as the Emirati ended the tournament in third place. He then carried that form into the domestic league, producing an impressive 23 goals from as many games for his club side Al Jazira. Throw in a further seven goals from 2018 World Cup Qualifying so far and it’s easy to see why his combination with Khalil and Abdulrahman has developed into one of Asia’s fiercest attacking threats. – Kritikorn Thanamahamongkhol NO.11 ALIREZA JAHANBAKHSH The speedy wideman is part of a growing band of Iranian stars who are impressing in Europe more and more every season. Jahanbakhsh’s theatre of choice is the Netherlands and he has become one of the biggest talents in the entire league. He headed to Holland in 2013 and after two seasons with NEC, joined Az Alkmaar. ASIA 50, 2017 All of this year's great content can be found here His first season was affected by injuries but the winger still helped the club qualify for the Europa League. This season he has been fit and firing on all cylinders. It could well be that he moves to a bigger club in a bigger league this summer and there has been plenty of interest, especially from the English Premier League. Alternatively, suitors could wait to see him in the World Cup next year as he has become a vital part of Team Melli in their unstoppable run to Russia 2018. – John Duerden Wednesday: The Top 10, an exclusive interview with our No.1 and much more https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/asia-50-part-ii-thai-messi-and-syrian-ibrahimovic-make-cut?page=0%2C3
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~~pippinu~~	~~pippinu~~ Posted 7 Years Ago #2526764
World Class Group: Banned Members Posts: 5.7K, Visits: 0	The entry on Sainsbury is a bit exaggerated. Not sure if Troisi deserves to finish so high. Edited 7 Years Ago by pippinu
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~~Aus Football Fan~~	~~Aus Football Fan~~ Posted 7 Years Ago #2526767
Semi-Pro Group: Banned Members Posts: 1.2K, Visits: 0	Mmm tf? So Troisi is ranked 20th Sooo that should mean irvine and mooy is in the top 10 since they are better Good to see my boy Brad Jones at #34 ahead of Cahill, Ryan,Benchbury, Cahill is listed higher than Benchbury and Ryan Edited 7 Years Ago by Aus Football Fan
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~~Aus Football Fan~~	~~Aus Football Fan~~ Posted 7 Years Ago #2526770
Semi-Pro Group: Banned Members Posts: 1.2K, Visits: 0	Cahill helped 'pushed viewership numbers up and City's membership increased by 37 per cent.' The biggest name to ever grace Australian football
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~~Aus Football Fan~~	~~Aus Football Fan~~ Posted 7 Years Ago #2526771
Semi-Pro Group: Banned Members Posts: 1.2K, Visits: 0	Jones recorded his 14th clean sheet for the season earlier this year he surpassed a club record that had stood for more than 20 years. Named in the best europa league group stage XI Doesnt get picked for the Socceroos. Fuck that. I thought the best players always play for the Socceroos regardless but Ange loves Marry Ryan and Langerak to much. They have had to much bonding time together
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Peaty	Peaty Posted 7 Years Ago #2526778
Hardcore Fan Group: Forum Members Posts: 173, Visits: 0	Jones should have been higher. There's either going to be quite a few Australian's in the top 10 or FourFourTwo have missed out on quite a few good Australians this season (Langerak, Irvine, Maclaren)
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433	433 Posted 7 Years Ago #2526782
World Class Group: Forum Members Posts: 6.7K, Visits: 0	The Korean bloke for Tottenham will probably win it, Mooy will probably be top 5.
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SWandP	SWandP Posted 7 Years Ago #2526808
Pro Group: Forum Members Posts: 4.5K, Visits: 0	Troisi better than Rogic? Right there you can see it's a waste of electronic ink.
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*paladisious*	*paladisious* Posted 7 Years Ago #2526811
Legend Group: Moderators Posts: 39K, Visits: 0	Thanks for posting this, we don't hear nearly enough about individual talents in Asia.
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*paladisious*	*paladisious* Posted 7 Years Ago #2526813
Legend Group: Moderators Posts: 39K, Visits: 0	There's your Georgievski replacement Kev, sign him up!
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aussie scott21	aussie scott21 Posted 7 Years Ago #2526814
Legend Group: Forum Members Posts: 19K, Visits: 0	+x paladisious - 23 May 2017 8:59 PM There's your Georgievski replacement Kev, sign him up! Wait wait wait wait Cant your here Brendan Speed? "THHEEEE-RA-THHHON BUNNNNN-MA-THANNNNNNNN!!!!!!!"
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*paladisious*	*paladisious* Posted 7 Years Ago #2526815
Legend Group: Moderators Posts: 39K, Visits: 0	+x scott21 - 23 May 2017 9:12 PM +x paladisious - 23 May 2017 8:59 PM There's your Georgievski replacement Kev, sign him up! Wait wait wait wait Cant your here Brendan Speed? "THHEEEE-RA-THHHON BUNNNNN-MA-THANNNNNNNN!!!!!!!" The best thing about signing him would be getting Matt Leckie and Robbie Kruse for free as they are still to this day in Bunmanthan's back pocket:
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aussie scott21	aussie scott21 Posted 7 Years Ago #2526816
Legend Group: Forum Members Posts: 19K, Visits: 0	+x paladisious - 23 May 2017 9:16 PM +x scott21 - 23 May 2017 9:12 PM +x paladisious - 23 May 2017 8:59 PM There's your Georgievski replacement Kev, sign him up! Wait wait wait wait Cant your here Brendan Speed? "THHEEEE-RA-THHHON BUNNNNN-MA-THANNNNNNNN!!!!!!!" The best thing about signing him would be getting Matt Leckie and Robbie Kruse for free as they are still to this day in Bunmanthan's back pocket: I can't watch that video. Asian players (1 per club) should not count in the 5 spots imo. Even if they are Dutch, like CCMs new guy. Outside of the cap also. Baby steps but progression none the less. Edited 7 Years Ago by scott21
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City Sam	City Sam Posted 7 Years Ago #2526818
World Class Group: Forum Members Posts: 5.5K, Visits: 0	How is Kagawa 19th?
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YoShuuuu	YoShuuuu Posted 7 Years Ago #2526821
Super Fan Group: Forum Members Posts: 149, Visits: 0	Pointless countdown, very stupid journalist. Sydney FC
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*paladisious*	*paladisious* Posted 7 Years Ago #2526823
Legend Group: Moderators Posts: 39K, Visits: 0	+x YoShuuuu - 23 May 2017 9:22 PM Pointless countdown, very stupid journalist. It's a team, but one of them is Scott McIntyre, who lied out of his arse when writing why Jones isn't still in the Socceroos. Not everyone will ever agree with any list like this, especially when it's about such a diverse cohort of people, but it's good to generate discussion.
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*paladisious*	*paladisious* Posted 7 Years Ago #2526825
Legend Group: Moderators Posts: 39K, Visits: 0	+x scott21 - 23 May 2017 9:19 PM +x paladisious - 23 May 2017 9:16 PM +x scott21 - 23 May 2017 9:12 PM +x paladisious - 23 May 2017 8:59 PM There's your Georgievski replacement Kev, sign him up! Wait wait wait wait Cant your here Brendan Speed? "THHEEEE-RA-THHHON BUNNNNN-MA-THANNNNNNNN!!!!!!!" The best thing about signing him would be getting Matt Leckie and Robbie Kruse for free as they are still to this day in Bunmanthan's back pocket: I can't watch that video. Asian players (1 per club) should not count in the 5 spots imo. Even if they are Dutch, like CCMs new guy. Outside of the cap also. Baby steps but progression none the less. This list definitely adds to the argument that there should be an extra AFC marquee spot, yeah. Best way for ACL clubs to take advantage of the +1 spot. Edited 7 Years Ago by paladisious
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aussie scott21	aussie scott21 Posted 7 Years Ago #2526861
Legend Group: Forum Members Posts: 19K, Visits: 0	Asia to beat Africa to World Cup football win by AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE FOOTBALLTuesday May 23, 2017 inShare1 SHARES Iranian football fans: currently the country is Asia’s top-ranked team at 28 while South Korea, Japan and Australia are the others inside the world’s top 50 © AFP/File / Manjunath Kiran CHANGSHA, China, May 23 – Asia has overtaken Africa and now looks the more likely continent to produce a World Cup-winning team, according to the former England goalkeeper David James. Speaking at the World Football Forum in Changsha, James said Asia’s financial clout and passion would propel it to the forefront of the game in the coming decades. “I genuinely think that an Asian country has got a better chance of winning the World Cup than an African one,” the former Liverpool goalkeeper told AFP. “When I was growing up in the Nineties, it was all about how Africa was going to be the next continent to win the World Cup. I can’t see it.” James was referring to Brazilian legend Pele’s famous prediction that an African team would win the World Cup before 2000, which turned out to be wide of the mark. No African team has made it past the quarter-finals, and although Asian sides flopped at the last World Cup in 2014, with none reaching the knock-out rounds, South Korea reached the semis on home soil in 2002. Currently, Asia’s top-ranked team is Iran at 28, while South Korea, Japan and Australia are the others inside the world’s top 50. But James, whose CV includes playing for the Indian Super League’s Kerala Blasters, said China and even India — ranked 81st and 100th respectively — could emerge as World Cup contenders. “I think there’s such fertile soil (in Asia). Maybe the financial aspects of China provide that,” said James, 46, who made 53 England appearances. “But I think with the enthusiasm for football in India, plus there is obviously a financial potential to back them, I think the opportunity is massive, massive. “There’s something like two-and-a-half billion people if you take the two countries, it’s a third of the world’s population.” – ‘Enthusiastic for Asia’ – The World Cup will return to the Asian confederation at Qatar 2022, and China is actively considering a bid to host the tournament, probably in the 2030s. China has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on foreign players and coaches after an official decree that the country hopes to host and win the World Cup. But James said he was also optimistic for India, recalling crowds of 50,000 turning up to watch Kerala Blasters. India will also be in the limelight later this year when it hosts the U17 World Cup, its biggest football tournament to date. “There’s a better infrastructure in China at the moment. India’s got a bit of a way to catch up with that but it’s not something that will take 30 years to achieve,” James said. “The technology within football, the understanding of building pitches and training facilities, that’s one thing. To compete you need these things, but to improve you need better coaching. “And it’s whether or not the investment is made into the coaching side of things either in China or in India.” James said there was “no reason” why Asia’s national teams wouldn’t be at the same level as their European rivals 30 years from now. “With the size of the countries… somewhere you can find the perfect areas for a super camp or whatever. I’m enthusiastic for Asia,” he said. But he warned: “You can’t have the best national team and the best domestic league… You can’t have both. “It’s a difficult beast -– it’s almost like the dog with a bone looking at his reflection in the pond,” he said, quoting one of Aesop’s fables. “What do you go for?” https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/sports/2017/05/23/asia-beat-africa-world-cup-football-win/
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City Sam	City Sam Posted 7 Years Ago #2526862
World Class Group: Forum Members Posts: 5.5K, Visits: 0	Africa is way ahead if you ask me, many talented players and more stronger teams are coming outside of the usual suspects.
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sydneyfc1987	sydneyfc1987 Posted 7 Years Ago #2526863
Legend Group: Forum Members Posts: 10K, Visits: 0	+x 433 - 23 May 2017 7:30 PM The Korean bloke for Tottenham will probably win it, Mooy will probably be top 5. Song is easily the best AFC play currently. Its interesting that after years of talk regarding Japan's superior player development that ROK are arguably doing better. (VAR) IS NAVY BLUE
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aussie scott21	aussie scott21 Posted 7 Years Ago #2526864
Legend Group: Forum Members Posts: 19K, Visits: 0	+x sydneyfc1987 - 23 May 2017 10:54 PM +x 433 - 23 May 2017 7:30 PM The Korean bloke for Tottenham will probably win it, Mooy will probably be top 5. Song is easily the best AFC play currently. Its interesting that after years of talk regarding Japan's superior player development that ROK are arguably doing better. He is better than the Dortmund guy. I dont watch EPL but watched him destroy Millwall in the cup. Edited 7 Years Ago by scott21
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aussie scott21	aussie scott21 Posted 7 Years Ago #2526865
Legend Group: Forum Members Posts: 19K, Visits: 0	+x paladisious - 23 May 2017 8:57 PM Thanks for posting this, we don't hear nearly enough about individual talents in Asia. https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/asia-50-exclusive-chanathips-relentless-pursuit-a-jleague-starting-berth There are plenty of articles about SE Asia on the 442 Singapore webpage
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City Sam	City Sam Posted 7 Years Ago #2526868
World Class Group: Forum Members Posts: 5.5K, Visits: 0	+x scott21 - 23 May 2017 10:58 PM +x sydneyfc1987 - 23 May 2017 10:54 PM +x 433 - 23 May 2017 7:30 PM The Korean bloke for Tottenham will probably win it, Mooy will probably be top 5. Song is easily the best AFC play currently. Its interesting that after years of talk regarding Japan's superior player development that ROK are arguably doing better. He is better than the Dortmund guy Eh, i'd still take Kagawa over him personally.
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~~Aus Football Fan~~	~~Aus Football Fan~~ Posted 7 Years Ago #2526869
Semi-Pro Group: Banned Members Posts: 1.2K, Visits: 0	Heung Min Son will porbably win it He has been outstanding for Spurs this season
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aussie scott21	aussie scott21 Posted 7 Years Ago #2527199
Legend Group: Forum Members Posts: 19K, Visits: 0	Asia 50, Part III: A host of European-based superstars and a brand new No.1 We've reached the end of this year's countdown and our top 10 features players performing in almost all corners of the globe. Read on to discover our 10 best Asian footballers from the past 12 months... Published 3 hours ago NO.10 KI SUNG-YEUNG It is impressive and often overlooked that this classy midfielder is approaching the eight-year mark in Europe. Not many Asian players stay out west for so long. Even better is the fact that he rarely misses a game for his country. The 28-year-old is close to joining the century club on the international stage and that is some serious miles, travelling from South Wales to East Asia and plenty of places in between. Injuries and issues at Swansea have meant that this English Premier League season has not been his best at the Liberty Stadium and a relegation battle wasn't the ideal stage for a cultured talent like Ki. He is however close to leading the Taeguk Warriors to a ninth successive World Cup appearance. A third personal bow on the global stage while still short of his thirties would be another fine achievement in an already fine career. – John Duerden NO.9 WU LEI It is now the stuff of legend that Wu Lei was a child prodigy, making his professional debut in the lower divisions of Chinese football before his 15th birthday. Former China national team coach Xu Genbao also famously once labelled him "China’s Maradona", a daunting prospect for any young player. But the Shanghai SIPG standout has lived up to the hype. Now 25 years old, he is already his club’s all-time leading scorer and a mainstay in the national set-up. “I think I am player who uses his head,” he has said in the past. ”I not only have hunger but also a good nose for goal, so I can usually find chances to score. “I like looking for opportunities in front of goal and beating defenders with agility and pace.” He has continued to excel this season under new SIPG coach Andre Villas-Boas, plundering five goals already for a Shanghai outfit that is contending for the league title. As seen in the video below, he also scored a superb goal in the Asian Champions League against Western Sydney Wanderers on May 10 after just 21 seconds - the third fastest goal in the competition’s history. – Tio Utomo NO.8 AHMED KHALIL European football had been beckoning Ahmed, but the 25-year-old Emirati decided to hold off venturing too far from home just yet, signing for Al-Jazira instead for a reported fee of AED18 million (S$6.8 million) per year to make him among the highest paid footballers in the country. It ends a long association with UAE giants Al-Ahli, with the 2015 Asian player of the year – the first Emirati to win the continent’s premier individual honour – slated to join the ‘Pride of Abu Dhabi’ on September 1. There were reports linking him to La Liga trio Deportivo La Coruna, Granada and Espanyol, as well as Serie A’s Fiorentina and Primeira Liga giants Benfica, largely because of his abilities in front of goal. He has scored 15 goals already in the UAE’s 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, including the brace that sunk Japan 2-1 at Saitama Stadium in September. Among the nine international goals he scored in 2016 were a hat-trick against Bulgaria in a friendly in November. – Vijhay Vick NO.7 REZA GHOOCHANNEGHAD The Dutch club with the famous red hearts on its crest has well and truly fallen in love with its Iranian forward, who has powered Heerenveen towards a top-half finish and produced plenty of goals along the way. Playing in front of Japan’s Yuki Kobayashi, the Iranian born, Dutch-raised Ghoochanneghad has sparkled in his second spell at the club where he began his career, his direct approach and clinical finishing making him a standout for the northern side. Five goals in the club’s final seven league matches helped keep them competitive after they stumbled from mid-season onwards and his 19 goals across the Eredivisie season were not only a personal high, but also had him ranked as the third-highest scorer in one of Europe’s top leagues. All that in addition to his continuing standout performances for Team Melli and it’s clear that ‘Gucci’ is a very worthy entrant in our top 10. – Scott McIntyre NO.6 GENKI HARAGUCHI The last 12 months have marked something of a coming of age for a player that far too often flies under the radar. Not only a nailed-on regular for Japan but now also one of the first names picked, the versatile 26-year-old almost single handedly revived his nation’s flagging World Cup hopes with key goals against Thailand, Iraq, Australia and Saudi Arabia. Those goals, in the space of just two months, saw him become the first Japanese player in history to score in four consecutive final-round qualifiers and continued on from yet another solid season with his club. Hertha have been in and around the top six in the Bundesliga all season and whilst Haraguchi has played in a wider role on the right than he does for his nation, he’s still been a regular contributor. Featuring in 30 of his team’s league’s matches, he has earned strong reviews for his vision, passing and poise on the ball. – Scott McIntyre NO.5 AARON MOOY It has been another 12 months to remember for this very highly regarded Australian. Picking up the PFA Footballer of the Year award in 2015/16 for his efforts with Melbourne City, the Sydneysider then earned a three-year contract with English giants Manchester City. He then spent the past 12 months on loan with Championship side Huddersfield Town, where he played a starring role in the club’s bid for promotion. His trademark is long-range shooting, scoring 11 times in the A-League last season, while he is also an assist king, providing four goals and seven assists en route to being named Huddersfield’s player of the year for 2017. The Terriers are within reach of a Premier League spot, facing Reading in the playoff final on May 29. Either way, it wouldn't be a shock if their ambitious central midfielder is in the top-flight next season, either with Huddersfield, Manchester City or someone else. – Kritikorn Thanamahamongkhol NO.4 SARDAR AZMOUN Dubbed the “Iranian Messi” and likened to superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a UEFA article, Azmoun is among the hottest youngsters in the world game. The 22-year-old has already been linked to Liverpool, Arsenal, Villarreal, Marseille and Borussia Dortmund and having stated his ambition to play with a top European side in the near future, offers could be aplenty this summer. Regarded as the heir apparent to Iranian legend Ali Daei, Azmoun initially joined Rostov on loan from Rubin Kazan before making the move permanent at the start of the 2016/17 season. He marked his move in style, scoring twice in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers as Rostov reached the tournament proper for the first time. He also scored in the club's famous 3-2 win over Bayern Munich in the group stage. If he does stay another season with Rostov, Azmoun may be on many scouts’ watchlist at the 2018 World Cup, with unbeaten Iran in pole position to qualify from Group A. In 2016, to underline his quality, Azmoun scored eight goals in as many international appearances. – Vijhay Vick NO.3 SHINJI OKAZAKI After the heights of Leicester’s surprise title triumph and the Japanese forward’s place in it, the last 12 months were something of a letdown for the 31-year-old Okazaki. Having featured in barely half of the club’s league fixtures this term, he also lost his place in the starting line-up for his nation, but regardless there aren’t many players in Asia who can say they are at least a squad regular in the world’s most popular league. Deployed either as part of a two-man frontline or in a role tucked in behind the striker, a return of just three goals and a single assist over the season were hardly eye popping numbers. But he did help the club's unlikely Champions League push and his supporters point to his work rate both on and off the ball as being a key component of the Foxes’ success. – Scott McIntyre NO.2 SON HEUNG-MIN “He can use his left foot, his right foot - he’s a quality player!” enthused Tottenham teammate Kieran Trippier recently about Son Heung-Min, No.2 on our list for the second consecutive season. Already an accomplished talent, the South Korean has taken his game to a new level in 2016/17 for a Spurs outfit that pushed Chelsea all the way in a tight English Premier League race. With Harry Kane injured, he stepped up to fill the void, taking his tally past double figures for the season. “He’s one of the players that have stood up and made things happen for Tottenham,” said former Spur Jermaine Jenas. Having finished first, second and now second again in three additions of the Asia 50, if he continues his current form he could surely take out the top prize once more next year. ASIA 50, 2017 Check out all of this year's content right here He is also reportedly in line for a new and improved deal with Tottenham after his tremendous campaign. Who knows, maybe next year he could also add the title Premier League champion. – Tio Utomo NO.1 OMAR ABDULRAHMAN It is testament to the shaggy-haired star that six or seven years after he burst onto the scene, he is still regarded as the most exciting talent in Asia. That is because few, if any, on the continent have the ability to change a game like the Al Ain ace. The 2016 AFC Player of the Year led his club to the final of the 2016 Asian Champions League only to lose by the narrowest of margins, 1-0 to Korean giants Jeonbuk Hyundai. World Cup qualification started excellently too and Al Ain finished the UAE pro league as runners-up. If club and country could have gone that little bit further then it would have been the perfect year. When the 25-year-old plays well, he can lift his team to a whole different level. The question for the star with time still on his side, and who is still being watched by many European giants, is how far he can go. – John Duerden That's the end of this year's countdown, but there is still much more content to come. Keep checking back each day and join the conversation using the hashtag #FFTASIA50 https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/asia-50-part-iii-a-host-european-based-superstars-and-a-brand-new-no1?page=0%2C4
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aussie scott21	aussie scott21 Posted 7 Years Ago #2527201
Legend Group: Forum Members Posts: 19K, Visits: 0
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Bundoora B	Bundoora B Posted 7 Years Ago #2527207
Legend Group: Forum Members Posts: 12K, Visits: 0	the only thing worse than internet lists are internet lists where they delay the results.
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johnszasz	johnszasz Posted 7 Years Ago #2527212
Legend Group: Forum Members Posts: 28K, Visits: 0	Garbage rankings. Osako should be so much higher and Abdulrahmann hasn't had the best 12 months to be number one.
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aussie scott21	aussie scott21 Posted 7 Years Ago #2527220
Legend Group: Forum Members Posts: 19K, Visits: 0	+x City Sam - 23 May 2017 10:48 PM Africa is way ahead if you ask me, many talented players and more stronger teams are coming outside of the usual suspects. This usual happens when you are present in one place. You praise it to get the locals to smile. India next China. no. 1 on list 2024 FEATURE-Soccer-India's generation next are Bitburg-bound By Reuters 3 hours ago 0 By Sudipto Ganguly MUMBAI, May 24 (Reuters) - India has been stepping up efforts to unlock its potential as a soccer power with the hosting of the under-17 World Cup on the horizon, the latest a venture looking to tap into the know-how of former European champions Borussia Dortmund. Once famously described as a "sleeping giant" of world football by former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, India last year launched the "Mission 11 Million" programme aimed at engaging that number of children in the game. While the All India Football Federation has also launched a global scouting programme to identify talent in the Indian diaspora, there is widespread recognition that any long-term improvement must be built on grassroots development. Now, one of India's most prominent business conglomerates has joined forces with Dortmund to expose talented teens, mostly from the country's northeastern soccer hotbed, to top-class European coaching. Under a technical tie-up between the Tata Trust's U Dream Football project and the Bundesliga club, 48 players from India are training in Bitburg, Germany under Dortmund's youth coaches. The 12- to 14-year-olds will receive football training, and, just as importantly, German schooling for 10 months a year for six years. "The depth of training in Germany is second to none," said Ronnie Screwvala, the founder of U Sports, which linked up with the Tata Trusts last year. "The biggest challenge for us was to convince parents that their children can have an alternative career in sports." During their six-year training stint, the players will also play competitive matches against Dortmund's youth teams. The project ultimately aims to give them a chance to play professional football by placing them in clubs across Europe, North America and Asia, or at least providing them with opportunities for trials with leading clubs. "It's a first step in a long process and we hope it is a stepping stone to putting India on the world football map," added Screwvala. R Venkatramanan, the managing trustee of Tata Trusts, said the project was still in its infancy. "We have started with the North East but we have a presence in about 17 states in India and we would soon be working closely with various state associations to expand the programme," he told Reuters. Over the last few years, a number of European clubs have come to India, where cricket is far and away the most popular sport, to set up academies on a franchise basis and try to claim a foothold in a potentially huge market. UNDER-ACHIEVEMENT Christian Diercks, who leads a youth programme at Dortmund which has produced World Cup-winning midfielder Mario Goetze among others, said the new programme was not similarly "superficial". "We are one of few clubs that do not use the franchise system with regards to development," he told Reuters. "Everything we do, we do with BVB coaches. We never pretend that it's just BVB on the shirt. "With Indian football, from what I have heard, the development has changed a bit and football is getting more and more popular. The young kids do not only play cricket but also play football on the streets." India is the world's second-most populous nation but it is a major under-achiever as far as soccer is concerned and is yet to make a single appearance at the World Cup finals. Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia feels that access to better coaching is one of the key elements to ending that drought and hopes the hosting of the FIFA under-17 World Cup in October proves a watershed. "The future of football lies with the grassroots. For us, the under-17 World Cup is the start," the former striker said. "Because the under-17 World Cup is happening in India, a lot has been going on. "When I was 16, I had only four matches to play for India throughout the year. And three matches in one national level school tournament. So six to seven matches in a year. "We need people with passion to work for football at the grassroots level. We need to train our coaches for them to go and teach the younger generation." (Editing by Nick Mulvenney and Peter Rutherford) http://au.eurosport.com/football/feature-soccer-india-s-generation-next-are-bitburg-bound_sto6178876/story.shtml I hope that China and India put in a joint bid for the WC in the future. Unlikely.
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Kamaryn	Kamaryn Posted 7 Years Ago #2527230
Pro Group: Forum Members Posts: 3.6K, Visits: 0	Troisi above Rogic. Lol.
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