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?

1

Hong Myung-bo

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

2

Kim Min-jae

Dominant modern South Korean centre-back nicknamed The Monster.

3

Maya Yoshida

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

4

Yuto Nagatomo

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

5

Lucas Neill

Australian defender and Socceroos captain known for his toughness.

6

Lee Young-pyo

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

7

Jalal Hosseini

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

8

Yuji Nakazawa

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

9

Kim Young-gwon

Reliable South Korean centre-back and Asian Cup performer.

10

Trent Sainsbury

Composed Australian centre-back and Socceroos regular.

11

Mehrdad Minavand

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