The Best Asian Players Of All Time - John Duerden/ESPN

[ShiroKhorshid]

The list is not good as the Afghan GK from German 4th division is not included.

[KC McElroy]

the list isn't that bad, I would remove the Filipino player, who the hell was following football in 1920 ?!!! lol

with all respect, I would replace Nekou with someone else like Parvin or Ghelchkhani. and obviously he didn't want to pick more than 2 from each country which is fair.

and Sami Al-Jaber isn't even the best KSA player ever, this guy apparently never heard of Majed Abdullah. they also had Mohammed Al-Deayea.

I didn't realize we were nominating people who respectfully had 8 balls inserted up their rear end.

[ARARAT]

Discount the list. We are talking ESPN here. This is a company that has self-proclaimed themselves "the worldwide leader" How arrogant. Also, it is ridiculous to have a "top-10" player list of any continent. The American s are obsessed with top this and top that. It is fair to have 50 greatest Asian players ever but only 10? Same thing with the best burger in the USA. Really? Did you try them all? Unreal.

[TheBoss]

Come. ON. No offense dude, but I'm tired of old-timers on this website hyping obscure TM playrs from the 70s, 80s and early 90s. It honestly seems like you're just trying to show off that you've been a TM fan for a long time. Outside of Abedzadeh, none of the players you mention would even be on a top-20 all-time Asia list. Even Abedzadeh doesn't belong.

As for Duerden, like it or not he's probably the most informed western journalist on Asian football. His list is good, just has 3 errors:
1) Shunsuke Nakamura should have been included over Younis Mahmoud (he was best player in Scotland, amazing club career)
2) The philipino player should have been #1
3) Mahdavikia should have taken Nekounam's spot.

Sorry guys, but Karimi doesn't belong on that list, maybe a top-15 list. A guy who played 2 seasons in Europe and didn't accomplish anything that scores of Japanese and Korean players haven't. 2 Iranians belong in the top 10: Mahdavikia and Daei, and MAYBE Nekounam/Karimi. Let's be realistic. Duerden has been more than complimentary of Iranian football over the years. He's fair. Frankly this attitude of thinking there's a constant conspiracy against us (by the refs, by the arabs, by western media, etc) is getting tiresome. Let's stop playing the victim and actually earn some silverware at this asian cup so that we earn people's respect.

what the hell are you talking about? I was born in 1993, dude.

[GoIran]

It's unfortunate for Asia that John Duerden is considered an Asian football expert....

[Adesor Vafaseya]

Has Iran had 2 Mahdavikias?

The one you have selected played in the 60's

You should have put Estili in there for the goal and unforgettable celebration.

Also I know there is some sarcasm in your post but not having Nekounam is just wrong.

Will finish his career as the most capped Iranian International of all time.
First Iranian to play in Spain which is one of the best leagues in the world.

BABA the whole point is that at least 8 of them need to come from Iran.... of course you can disagree with my selection, ranking etc.... thats not the point here


regarding Mahdavikia, I mixed the during auto correction with Mostapha Arab. now corrected.


Pls everyone, this post was sarcastic to show we need more Iranians there, instead of some losers selected by another loser called John Duerden ...lol

[babak_australia]

Has Iran had 2 Mahdavikias?

The one you have selected played in the 60's

You should have put Estili in there for the goal and unforgettable celebration.

Also I know there is some sarcasm in your post but not having Nekounam is just wrong.

Will finish his career as the most capped Iranian International of all time.
First Iranian to play in Spain which is one of the best leagues in the world.

[Adesor Vafaseya]

OK Guys, here comes the correct list:

15. Paulino Alcantara - Spain/Phillipines
Alcantara was Barcelona's leading goalscorer of all-time until 2014 when a certain Lionel Messi broke the long-standing record. Still, 369 goals coming from 357 games confirms his legendary status at Barca, and he even had a short spell in charge of the Spanish national team.
Nice lad.

14. Park Ji Sung - South Korea
played in S Korea's WC 2002 campaign - played for Man Utd. Nice Lad!

13. Rahman Rezaei - Iran
One of the best Asian defenders of all time - played for various Serie A clubs, and nicknamed in Italy as "Defebce Secretary".

12. Hidoteshi Tanaka - Japan
Played in Serie A. Very talented Midfielder. One of the best Far Eastern footballers ever!

11. Mostapha Arab Mehdi Mahdavikia - Iran.
Played most of his career in German Bundesliga, selecetd in "Hamburg SV Best Players" of all times. Was Asian Footballer of the year.
Played in two world cups.

9. Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh - Iran.
Nicknamed "Eagle of Asia", "Penalty Killer".
Was the legendary Goalkeeper and Captain of Iran. He was vital in Irans WCQ 98 campaign. WC98 campaign. AC96 campaign.
And is regarded alongside his country man, Nassere Hejazi as the best Asian Golakeeper of all times.

8. Khodadad Azizi - Iran.
Asian Cup 96 player of the year. Asian player of the year 96. Wa svital in Irans WCQ98 campaign. Was one of the best players of Iran in WC98. Was vital in Irans AC96 campaign. Regraded as technically one of the most gifted Asian Players of all time. Played both in Bundesliga and MLS.

7. Ali Karimi Ali Jabbari - Iran.
Two time winner of Asian Cup. Irans legenday Midfielder won the Asian games 1974, Asian Cup 1968, 1972.
One of the most talented Asian Footballers of all times.

5. Bum Kun Cha - South korea.
legendary South Korean footballer. Nicknamed "unstoppable" by Sir Alex Furgerson. According to Lothar Mathaus "one of the best attackers in the world". Without doubt one of Asia's finest players of all times.

4. Ali Daei - Iran.
World's top goal scorer with 109 international goals. Asian player of the year. Played in Bundesliga, notably Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin. Scored goals in European Champions league vs AC Milan and Chelsea (twice). Second to none goalscorer on Asian Continent.
And probably the most famous and well known Asian footballer in the world.

3. Hassan Rowshan - Iran.
Played in the golden age of Iran's football 1974-1978. Was the best Goalscorer in Asia during 70ies and regarded one of the best forwards ever from Asia. His goals were vital in qualifying Iran to WC1978.
Winner of Asian Games 1974.
Winner of Asian Cup 1976.
Olympic Games quarter finals 1976.
Goalscorer at WC1978

2. Ali Parvin - Iran.
Legendary captain of Iran, one of Asia's most decorated player of all time. Was one of the best playmakers in Asia, and too many the best playmaker ever in Iran. One of the most technically gifted footballers ever in Asia. Lifted the Asian Cup trophy twice. Was part of Irans Olympic team 1976, that reahed the quarter finals. Was one Iran's key players in WCQ78.
FIFA World Cup:
Olympic Games: Quarter Final (1): 1976
AFC Asian Cup: Winner (2): 1972 1976
Asian Games: Winner (1): 1974
selecetd in the list of Golden elite by Asian Asian Football Federation: 2013

1. Parviz Ghlichkhani - Iran.
Lifted the Asian Cup a record of 3 times! Legendary Captain of Iran National team. Was widely regarded as one of Asia's finest midflelder and team leader of all time. A complete player, physically strong, technically gifted, and great vision on the field made the three times Asian Cup winner a legend second to none.
Played for Iran from 1964-1977.
Asian Cup winner: 1968, 1972, 1976.
Asian Games winner: 1974.
Olympic Games: 1976.
Asian Club Championship: 1970.



- * Source: Adesorain Institute for football statistics and correction of John Duerden's lack of knowledge and Asian Football Unawareness

[persianfire]

Ignore John Duerden. He doesn't even know the rules of football. He said Azmoun's goal was a foul lol.

[Irannn]

the list isn't that bad, I would remove the Filipino player, who the hell was following football in 1920 ?!!! lol

with all respect, I would replace Nekou with someone else like Parvin or Ghelchkhani. and obviously he didn't want to pick more than 2 from each country which is fair.

and Sami Al-Jaber isn't even the best KSA player ever, this guy apparently never heard of Majed Abdullah. they also had Mohammed Al-Deayea.

and seriously Younis Mahmood should not be here.

[babak_australia]

the top 5 seems legit even though he clearly is favoring club play over international. younes mahmoud and sami al jaber should not be anywhere near the list i would not even put them top 50. sami jaber is not even in top 3 saudi players let alone top 10 asian players of all time.

Owairan should be in the list simply for the goal he scored against Belgium at USA 94. One of the best World Cup goals EVER!

[hzv]

the top 5 seems legit even though he clearly is favoring club play over international. younes mahmoud and sami al jaber should not be anywhere near the list i would not even put them top 50. sami jaber is not even in top 3 saudi players let alone top 10 asian players of all time.

[babak_australia]

Where is Ostad Asadi?

Probably still sporting the National Team tracksuit pants with the leather jacket.

I still have a photo of him dressed like that and after 18 years it is still in a place I will see on a daily basis and it still makes me smile after all these years. That and the fact that my dad decided to pick him of all the players to get a photo with.

[DireStraits]

Where is Ostad Asadi?

[jumba47]

He clearly wants to satisfy his easy asian audience putting a filipino at 2 is ridiculous.

read the description first before judging based on someone's nationality lmao