Who is the best Asian defender in football history?

Sweepers, full-backs and modern centre-backs from across the continent line up. Who defended best?

Hong Myung-bo

South Korean sweeper and the first Asian to play in four World Cups, a 2002 semi-final hero.

1/11

Kim Min-jae

Dominant modern South Korean centre-back nicknamed The Monster.

2/11

Maya Yoshida

Long-serving Japanese centre-back and national team captain.

3/11

Yuto Nagatomo

Energetic Japanese full-back with a long career in Serie A.

4/11

Lucas Neill

Australian defender and Socceroos captain known for his toughness.

5/11

Lee Young-pyo

Reliable South Korean left-back with European top-flight experience.

6/11

Jalal Hosseini

Commanding Iranian centre-back and long-serving national team defender.

7/11

Yuji Nakazawa

Towering Japanese centre-back and aerial specialist of the 2000s.

8/11

Kim Young-gwon

Reliable South Korean centre-back and Asian Cup performer.

9/11

Trent Sainsbury

Composed Australian centre-back and Socceroos regular.

10/11

Mehrdad Minavand

Attacking Iranian full-back of the 1998 World Cup generation.

11/11