Advertisement
Asian Champions League: Team Of Round Two
It was an entertaining second round in the 2009 Asian Champions League, and here is Goal.com Asia's pick of the key performers...
Mar 19, 2009 12:36:18 AM
Goalkeeper
Shahril Jantan (Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore)
Shahril excelled to keep out a dangerous Suwon Bluewings attack and he frustrated the illustrious visitors for over an hour. Only a penalty and then an unstoppable shot made it past the Singaporean custodian.
Defenders
Naif Al Qadi (Al Shabab, KSA)
Another inclusion in this line-up and another solid display. Al Sahbab were under the cosh for most of the match at Persepolis. The back line stood strong and helped the team collect a precious point.
Shuhei Terada (Kawasaki Frontale, Japan)
The veteran not only scored Kawasaki’s equaliser at Pohang Steelers, he was instrumental in keeping out the Koreans, especially in the second half as they enjoyed lots of possession. He was one reason why that was not converted into too many chances.
Hamad Al Montashari (Al-Ittihad, KSA)
The defender was a controversial choice to win the 2005 Asian Player of the Year award but there is no such debate this week. A fine performance in Al-Ittihad’s crucial win at Umm Salal – and he scored.
Majed Al-Marshedi (Al Hilal, KSA)
Another strong display by a Saudi defender. Al Hilal were on the back foot for much of the match at Pakhtakor. The cultured Al-Marshedi was everywhere.
Midfielders
Nashat Akram (Al Gharafa, Qatar)
After a poor performance in the opening round, Al Gharafa bounced back with a classy 2-0 win at Sharjah. Both goals came from assists from that well-known Iraqi playmaker Nashat Akram.
Lee Chung-yung (FC Seoul, Korea)
The wideman was a thorn in Gamba Osaka's back for long periods and made a number of chances as well as a goal. Much of his good work was undone by a flimsy rearguard, however.
Carlos Renato (Al Shabab, UAE)
A cultured display from the Brazilian star. The 30-year-old is known for his goalscoring exploits. He didn’t get on the scoresheet in Al Shabab’s 2-0 win over Bunyodkor, but was at the heart of the good things that the hosts did.
Forwards
Leandro (Gamba Osaka, Japan)
The Brazilian will never score an easier goal than his first as the champions won 4-2 at FC Seoul - but they all count, as they say, and a hat-trick away at a team fancied to do well is a great achievement.
Sasho Petrovski (Newcastle Jets, Australia)
It hasn’t been the best of times for the Jets but a brace from the former Sydney striker won around the fans and gave the team a first win in Asia.
Li Jinyu (Shandong Luneng, China)
Watching Li doing what he does best is one of the great sights in Asian football. His brace may have come against Sriwijaya of Indonesia but the hosts were under considerable pressure from the local media. As he often does, Li came through.
John Duerden
Asia Editor
john.duerden@goal.com
Shahril Jantan (Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore)
Shahril excelled to keep out a dangerous Suwon Bluewings attack and he frustrated the illustrious visitors for over an hour. Only a penalty and then an unstoppable shot made it past the Singaporean custodian.
Defenders
Naif Al Qadi (Al Shabab, KSA)
Another inclusion in this line-up and another solid display. Al Sahbab were under the cosh for most of the match at Persepolis. The back line stood strong and helped the team collect a precious point.
Shuhei Terada (Kawasaki Frontale, Japan)
The veteran not only scored Kawasaki’s equaliser at Pohang Steelers, he was instrumental in keeping out the Koreans, especially in the second half as they enjoyed lots of possession. He was one reason why that was not converted into too many chances.
Hamad Al Montashari (Al-Ittihad, KSA)
The defender was a controversial choice to win the 2005 Asian Player of the Year award but there is no such debate this week. A fine performance in Al-Ittihad’s crucial win at Umm Salal – and he scored.
Majed Al-Marshedi (Al Hilal, KSA)
Another strong display by a Saudi defender. Al Hilal were on the back foot for much of the match at Pakhtakor. The cultured Al-Marshedi was everywhere.
Midfielders
Nashat Akram (Al Gharafa, Qatar)
After a poor performance in the opening round, Al Gharafa bounced back with a classy 2-0 win at Sharjah. Both goals came from assists from that well-known Iraqi playmaker Nashat Akram.
Lee Chung-yung (FC Seoul, Korea)
The wideman was a thorn in Gamba Osaka's back for long periods and made a number of chances as well as a goal. Much of his good work was undone by a flimsy rearguard, however.
Carlos Renato (Al Shabab, UAE)
A cultured display from the Brazilian star. The 30-year-old is known for his goalscoring exploits. He didn’t get on the scoresheet in Al Shabab’s 2-0 win over Bunyodkor, but was at the heart of the good things that the hosts did.
Forwards
Leandro (Gamba Osaka, Japan)
The Brazilian will never score an easier goal than his first as the champions won 4-2 at FC Seoul - but they all count, as they say, and a hat-trick away at a team fancied to do well is a great achievement.
Sasho Petrovski (Newcastle Jets, Australia)
It hasn’t been the best of times for the Jets but a brace from the former Sydney striker won around the fans and gave the team a first win in Asia.
Li Jinyu (Shandong Luneng, China)
Watching Li doing what he does best is one of the great sights in Asian football. His brace may have come against Sriwijaya of Indonesia but the hosts were under considerable pressure from the local media. As he often does, Li came through.
John Duerden
Asia Editor
john.duerden@goal.com
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Asian Editorials
- Asian Debate: Can China Finally Defeat South Korea And End 'Koreaphobia'?
- World Cup 2010: Can Japan Turn Jeers Into Cheers And Succeed In South Africa?
- East Asia Cup Fan-vs-Fan: Hong Kong - China - Japan - South Korea
- Goal.com Guide To The East Asian Championships
- Asian Debate: Is Park Chu-Young The Best Asian Striker And Can He Shoot South Korea To World Cup Glory?
- Fan-Vs-Fan: The Tehran Derby - Esteghlal vs Persepolis
- Asian Debate: Can China And South Korea Help Japan Reach The Semi-Finals Of The 2010 World Cup?
- Asian Debate: Can Bader Al-Mutwa Move To Spain And Bring The Feelgood Factor Back To Kuwait?
- Asian Comment: As Australia Can't Win 2018 Bid Anyway, Europe-Only 2018 Plan Is Good News
- Asian Debate: Does Australian Football Need To Become More Asian?
Advertisement
Most Read
- Player Ratings: Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal
- Euro 2012 Draw: Italy Meet Serbia, Germany-Turkey & Portugal-Denmark
- Arsenal Comment: Arsene Wenger’s Failure To Buy In January Has Cost Arsenal The Title
- Numbers Game: Seventeen Reasons Manchester United Don't Miss Cristiano Ronaldo, But One Reason Why They Might
- Ivory Coast Fans Angry At Didier Drogba’s Chelsea Brace Against Arsenal
- Arsenal To Hand Cesc Fabregas £30m Deal To Thwart Interest From Barcelona And Real Madrid - Report
- Player Ratings: Inter 3-0 Cagliari
- Chelsea Manager Carlo Ancelotti: Manchester United's Wayne Rooney Is The Best Player In The World
- Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand And Nemanja Vidic In Clinic Bid To Save Careers - Report
- I'm Playing The Best Football Of My Career - Manchester United Striker Wayne Rooney
- Player Ratings: Bologna 0-0 Milan
Advertisement
Advertisement
Watch
