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Japan midfielder Endo named AFC Playe
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-11-25 15:48
KUALA LUMPUR - Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo was crowned Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Player of the Year at the annual awards on Tuesday.
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 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Player of the Year 2009 Yasuhito Endo of Japan holds his trophy during the AFC Annual Awards 2009 in Kuala Lumpur November 24, 2009. [Agencies] |
The 29-year-old Gamba Osaka player beat off competition from compatriot Kengo Nakamura, Syria striker Firas Al Khatib, Bahrain's Sayed Mohamed Adnan and Iranian Hadi Aghily to lift the coveted award for the first time.
Endo's success made up for his failure to win last year when he missed out to Uzbekistan's Server Djeparov.
AFC Champions League winners Pohang Steelers of South Korea lifted the Team of the Year award following their 2-1 victory over Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia in this year's final.
