Asian Premiership duo honoured

Everton's Li Tie and Fulham star Junichi Inamoto were unveiled amongst a foursome that also includes Korean superstar Ahn Jung-hwan and Feyenoord's Shinji Ono.

All of the quartet shone in last summer's World Cup, with Korean Ahn outstanding for the co-hosts as they reached the semi-final stages.

Ahn left Italian club Perugia in acrimonious circumstances to return to the Far East to join J-League side Shimizu S-Pulse.

The two Japanese players all played a part in getting the other co-hosts through to the second round for the first time in the nation's history.

Inamoto continued to impress for Fulham in the pre-season Intertoto Cup, as the West London side won the trophy and progressed into the Uefa Cup.

Li Tie was a key man as Everton flourished under David Moyes, and has established himself as a Premiership class player.

Finally Shinji Ono helped Feyenoord to the Uefa Cup, and, in doing so, became only the second Asian player to lift a major European trophy.

The winner of the award will be announced on Wednesday.