Top 5 – Asian Cup leaders

AFC Asian Cup – KUALA LUMPUR, In every AFC Asian Cup campaign a host of players step up and lead their sides to glory. We take a look at five leaders that could push their side to glory when Asia’s biggest football tournament heads to Australia in January!

Javad Nekounam – Iran

Since his debut in 2000, few other players have been as important as Javad Nekounam to the Iranian national team. He began his club career with Pas Tehran, and after a few years in the United Arab Emirates he became the first Iranian player to play in Spain, joining Osasuna in 2006. For the national team he has played at two World Cups and three Asian Cups, as well as helping Iran win the 2002 Asian Games and the 2004 West Asian Football Championships. A reliable goalscorer from midfield, Team Melli coach Carlos Queiroz has described him as “the perfect captain”, and at 34, this will likely be his last Asian Cup. A win would be the perfect send off for the man nicknamed ‘Neku’.

Mile Jedinak – Australia

Mile Jedinak became captain of English Premier League side Crystal Palace in 2012, leading them to promotion from the Championship and being voted player of the year along the way. His coach at the time, Tony Pulis, described the giant Australian as “a real soldier,” a compliment that was echoed by Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou who described Jedinak as a “natural leader” ahead of the 2014 World Cup. Although the Socceroos didn’t win a game in Brazil, Jedinak’s work rate saw him become one of the top players for distance covered in the first three games. As the penalty taker for both the Socceroos and Crystal Palace, Jedinak is no stranger to pressure, and will be the rock in the midfield for Australia at the Asian Cup.

Zheng Zhi – China

When Zheng Zhi was crowned Asian Footballer of the Year in 2013, he became just the second Chinese player to win the title. Like Fan Zhiyi, who won the title in 2001, Zheng has played his career in his native China and in the UK. A versatile player, Zheng began his career as a defender before being moved into the midfield at both club and national level. He made his debut for the national side in 2002, and was part of the side that fell at the last hurdle to Japan in the 2004 Asian Cup. In 2008, he captained the u-23 national side to the Olympic Games in his native country. If China are to get through a tricky group, they will need the leadership of their captain Zheng.

Server Djeparov – Uzbekistan

Since making his debut for the national team in 2002, Server Djeparov has become a central figure for Uzbekistan. The 2015 Asian Cup will be his fourth consecutive tournament, and his second as captain. In 2011, he led Uzbekistan to fourth place, their best-ever result in an Asian Cup. Twice crowned as Asian Player of the Year in 2008 and 2011, Djeparov is a dynamic midfielder who has played club football in Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and most recently Korea Republic, winning titles wherever he goes. With over 100 caps, Djeparov is one of the most experienced members of Mirjalol Qosimov’s side heading into the Asian Cup.

Younus Mahmood – Iraq

There is no denying the leadership qualities of one of Asia’s legends of the game, Younus Mahmood. Likely to line up in his fourth AFC Asian Cup when the tournament heads Down Under in January, Mahmood was the hero of Iraq’s fairytale run in 2007 where he scored the lone goal in the Lions of Mesopotamia 1-0 final victory over Saudi Arabia. Mahmood was one of a number of four players to score four goals in that tournament and will be looking to get amongst the goals for the fourth straight tournament in 2015. While he is currently without a club side he has committed to playing for the national team in the Gulf Cup and fingers crossed he will be a part of another continental championship come January.