10 Oct 2005(Mon)

Friday, October 7, 2005 -- Who would be your Asian Player of the Year for 2005?

I'm asking this because it's awards time again. Like Christmas, it seems to start earlier every year.

Hidetoshi Nakata? No, because he's only been playing well for about half a year.

Shunsuke Nakamura? He caught the eye in the Confederations Cup, and the Celtic fans seem to like him. But, sorry Shunsuke fans, no again.

Lee Young Pyo, formerly of PSV, now at Tottenham, and building on his success from the 2002 World Cup? He's an exciting player down the left flank, but Asian Player of the Year for 2005? I don't think so.

I mention these three because they are on the list of 10 candidates released by the Asian Football Confederation on Friday. The list comprises three players from Saudi Arabia (why?), two each from Iran, Japan and South Korea, and one from Uzbekistan.

The voting panel consists of AFC executive committee members, the head coaches of the 45 national teams affiliated to the AFC, and the AFC's commercial partner, World Sport Group.

Each voter must pick three players. First place is worth five points, second place three and third place one point, and the player from the 10 on the shortlist with the most votes will be crowned Asian Player of the Year on November 30.

So who's my choice?

Well, I feel it should be someone who has excelled outside their own league, not just at their club or even in the Asian Champions League.

Somebody who has made a name for himself, put his country, and Asia, on the map.

Someone, like Nakata earlier in his career, who has proved he can step up to a higher level, and make a new audience sit up and take notice of Asian football.

Someone, in fact, like Park Ji Sung.

A World Cup semi-finalist in 2002, a UEFA Champions League semi-finalist with PSV in 2005, and now playing well at Manchester United.

Made in Japan, at Kyoto Purple Sanga, Park would be the perfect choice for Asian Player of the Year 2005.

I hope he wins it, because he deserves to. ends