Endō voted the best

Japanese midfielder Yasuhito Endō has been voted as the best Asian footballer 2009. The 29 year old, who plays his club football at Gamba Osaka, fought off competition from Kengo Nakamura, also from Japan, Syrian forward Firas Al Khatib, Bahrein's Sayed Mohamed Adnan and Hadi Aghily from Iran. Last year's award was won by Server Djeparov of Uzbekistan.

In the ceremony that took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, also the award for the best Asian club side was handed out and that was won by Pohang Steelers, who won the Asian Champions League this year.


Endō is a key player for the Japanese international team and no doubt his good performances will be the key for Japan, if the three-times Asian Champions want to have a successful World Cup 2010 finals campaign.