Japan dominate top Asian award shortlist

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (AFP): Asia's football body said Wednesday that six players, including Japan's Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda, had been shortlisted for its coveted Player of the Year award. Others in line for the award are Iranian defender Hadi Aghily, former winner Server Djeparov from Uzbekistan, Asian Cup top scorer Koo Ja-Cheol from South Korea and his fellow countryman Yeom Ki-Hun, the Asian Football Confederation said in a statement. Shinji, who plays for German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, scored two goals against Qatar in the AFC Asian Cup this year. The 22-year-old striker picked up an injury in the semi-final against South Korea and his team went on to win the cup, marking a record fourth continental title for Japan. Honda emerged as Japan's key player at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where the Blue Samurai reached the last 16 for their best ever result at the tournament.