GK – Yasser Al Mosailem (Saudi Arabia) Three solid performances from the 23 year-old gave the Saudi team the platform to score seven and finish top of Group D.
DF- Michael Beauchamp (Australia) Only paid one game but shored up a hitherto chaotic Australian back-line when it was needed most against Thailand and also scored the vital first goal to get his team on the way.
DF- Yuji Nakazawa (Japan) Always solid, always classy. Japan fans everywhere are delighted that 'Bomberhead' came out of international retirement.
DF- Hunyh Quang Thanh (Vietnam) Strong in the tackle, quick going forward, had a tough time against Japan but that’s no disgrace. Also scored a vital goal against UAE.
DF -Suree Sukha (Thailand) The best right-back in the competition so far. Solid at the back but it is going forward that the right-back created lots of problems for Thailand’s Group A opponents.
MF Javad Nekounam (Iran) Iran were up and down in Group C. Nekounam was too –up and down the pitch as he holds Iran’s midfield together. A class act.
MF-Shunsuke Nakamura (Japan) His goal against Vietnam was the best of the competition so far. His crossing and passing have been a joy to behold.
MF-Nashat Akram (Iraq) Supposedly a Sunderland target and Australia’s Premier League contingent won’t want to see him in England next season and the skilful and intelligent midfielder ran the game as Iraq defeated the Socceroos 3-1.
MF-Yasuhito Endo (Japan) Divides opinion in Japan, but Endo has carried his good form from the J-League into steady and solid performances in south-east Asia.
FW: Sebastian Quintana (Qatar) Three goals in three games. They were all vital goals and demonstrated the range of abilities he has. Fortunately for Asian defences, Qatar couldn’t make the knockout stage.
FW: Maksim Shatskikh (Uzbekistan) Two games and three goals. The Dinamo Kiev striker is as ruthless as they come in Asian football and with him in their ranks, the Uzbeks can never be counted out.
Subs: Malek Maaz, Yasser Al Qahtani (Saudi Arabia) Tim Cahill, (Australia) Kim Sang-shik (South Korea), Bambang Pamungkas, Firman Utina (Indonesia) Naohiro Takahara (Japan)
From Goal.com
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