ROLL OF HONOUR

1994 - Saeed Owairan (Saudi Arabia)
1995 - Masami Ihara (Japan)
1996 - Khodadad Azizi (Iran)
1997 - Hidetoshi Nakata (Japan)
1998 - Hidetoshi Nakata (Japan)
1999 - Ali Daei (Iran)
2000 - Nawaf Al Temyat (Saudi Arabia)
2001 - Fan Zhiyi (China)
2002 - Shinji Ono (Japan)
2003 - Mehdi Mahdavikia (Iran)
2004 - Ali Karimi (Iran)
2005 - Hamad Al Montashari (Saudi Arabia)
2006 - Khalfan Ibrahim (Qatar)
2007 - Yasser Al Qahtani (Saudi Arabia)

1994
Saeed Owairan (Saudi Arabia)

Known as the ’Maradona of the Arabs’, Owairan richly deserved the inaugural award after leading Saudi Arabia to the 1994 World Cup with a string of goals one of which against Belgium was voted as the sixth all-time best in the Cup’s history. The Al Shabab anchor scored 24 goals in 50 appearances for the Sons of the Desert.

1995
Masami Ihara (Japan)

The ace defender was one of the early superstars of the emerging J-League and appeared 122 times for the Blue Samurai, scoring five goals. He turned out consistently for Yokohama Marinos and was nicknamed Mr Marinos by the fans. After hanging up his boots in 2002, he is now a coach.

1996
Khodadad Azizi (Iran)

One of the finest strikers to ever pull on a Team Melli shirt, Azizi struck fear into the heart of rival defences with his opportunistic eye for goals. Named MVP at the 1996 Asian Cup, Azizi was one of the first Iranian players to ply his trade in the Bundesliga and fly the Iranian flag.

1997 & 1998
Hidetoshi Nakata (Japan)

Asian football’s most famous face, Nakata’s superb performances for both club and country fetched him the continent’s most coveted accolade twice in a row. The charismatic playmaker went on to play a key role for the Blue Samurai in three World Cups besides becoming a regular fixture in the Serie A.

1999
Ali Daei (Iran)

All-time world record holder for the most international goals, Team Melli striker Daei is one of Asian football’s most respected figures. Daei, a star in the Bundesliga, recorded a whopping 109 goals for Iran in 158 matches, before successfully turning his hand to coaching.

2000
Nawaf Al Temyat (Saudi Arabia)

Hadn’t a series of injuries interrupted this promising midfielder’s career when it was in full flow, Al Temyat would have gone on to become a true legend in the annals of the sport. Supremely gifted, the mid-fielder’s moment of glory came at the turn of the new millennium when he steered Saudi Arabia to the Asian Cup final in Lebanon.

2001
Fan Zhiyi (China)

Blessed with superb fitness and an instinct for positioning himself in the right place, Zhiyi became one of the first Chinese players to make a name for himself in England. For the national team, he was their sheet-anchor, solidly defending the citadel with his no-nonsense tackling over 109 games.

2002
Shinji Ono (Japan)

One of the most versatile players the game has seen, Ono can be drafted in to play in almost any position, a strength which he put to good use in the J-League and the Dutch Eredivisie. Led Japan to the World Youth Championship final in 1999 and figured in three World Cups. An ever-present in the Blue Samurai roster, Ono currently plays for VfL Bochum.

2003
Mehdi Mahdavikia (Iran)

Best known for his goal in 1998 which helped Iran beat the United States 2-1 in an epic World Cup group match, Mahdavikia is one of the pioneering Asians to forge into the European scene. The mid-fielder has been a sought-after player in the Bundesliga since 1998 and for Team Melli a superstar, turning in 104 appearances.

2004
Ali Karimi (Iran)

Undoubtedly one of Asia’s best attacking mid-fielders of all time, Karimi sizzled at the 2004 Asian Cup, where he was the joint top-scorer. His mesmerising runs and accurate shooting earned him comparisons with Maradona and he has lived up to the hype during his club spells with Al Ahli, Bayern Munich and Persepolis.

2005
Hamad Al Montashari (Saudi Arabia)

Pivotal to Saudi Arabia’s 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign, Al Montashari became one of the few defenders to lift the award. He excelled as a defensive bulwark for Saudi giants Al Ittihad and inspired them to their second AFC Champions League title.

2006
Khalfan Ibrahim (Qatar)

A scintillating season with both club (Al Sadd) and country saw the slightly-built Ibrahim win the accolade, the first time ever for a Qatari. An eye for goals and positions make him one of Qatar’s most dangerous strikers.

2007
Yasser Al Qahtani (Saudi Arabia)

Though Saudi Arabia lost the AFC Asian Cup final last year to Iraq, Al Qahtani’s poaching tactics stood out. Extremely difficult to mark, the Al Hilal hitman dazzled with his superior skills which sent a shiver down rival defence lines. Signed off the year with a league-winning goal for Al Hilal.