Goal.com's Asian Best XI for June: Keisuke Honda, Kim Bo-Kyung & Pipob On-Mo in the side

Jul 2, 2012 2:50:00 PM

Goal.com casts a studious eye over the best performers from the world's biggest continent this month

Goal.com has revamped the Asian Player and Team of the Month feature to give you, the reader, an opportunity to express your opinion. Thanks to our worldwide team, we were able to put together a squad of the best Asian footballers throughout June in a 4-3-3 formation.

However, to best determine who is the best was the best Asian player over the past four weeks, we are calling on you to join in the poll and vote.

Asian Best XI for June

Formation: 4-3-3

Goalkeeper - Ali Al Habsi

Oman

The 30-year-old Wigan goalkeeper starred in the opening three rounds of final round World Cup qualifying for Paul Le Guen's Oman side, who are the underdogs in their group. The Omanis may have copped a 3-0 hiding from Japan, but Al Habsi helped them claim a goalless home draw with Australia with a brilliant performance before producing an equally impressive display in Doha to earn a 1-1 draw against Iraq.

Right-back - Youssef Mohamad

Lebanon

The Cedars may have had a difficult start to fourth round World Cup qualifying, with just one point from their opening three fixtures, but former Koln defender Mohamad was one of their few shining lights. The 32-year-old defended fiercely for his side and played a big role in increasing the morale and psychological mood of the players, in the absence of regular skipper Roda Antar.

Centre-half - Kwak Tae-Hwi

Ulsan Hyundai & South Korea

South Korea's expert central defender took command of their backline in their opening two final round World Cup qualifiers with his skill and toughness. The Taeguk Warriors had fallen a goal behind against Qatar, but Kwak played a big part in their revival, netting one goal as they fought back to win 4-1. In the meeting with Lebanon, the 30-year-old Korea skipper didn’t offer any chance for the Cedars to threaten.

Centre-half - Yuzo Kurihara

Yokohama F. Marinos & Japan

Japan's central defender was able to protect the Samurai Blue defence, conceding only one goal in three games. Kurihara, 28, stepped up when called upon with Maya Yoshida and Yasuyuki Konno having their own problems. The Marinos man performed admirably and even scored twice in World Cup qualifying, to add to his good J-League form, although his dubious red card against Australia was a blemish.

Left-back - Zhang Chenglin

Guizhou Renhe

Guizhou enjoyed a fine June, surging up the Super League into third with some big wins including a 5-0 hammering of Hangzhou. Hard-working Zhang played a big part in their run at left-back, even popping up to score in two games. On June 17, he scored a beautiful goal as a present to his father on Father's Day and six days later he netted the winner against Tianjin Teda. A China call-up now beckons.

Right midfield - Muhammad Ridwan

Sriwijaya

The 31-year-old Ridwan was in superb this month for Sriwijaya, netting six goals in their four-game winning streak despite playing out as a winger. The former Pelita Jaya man successfully helped his team on the road to winning the first Indonesian Super League title, which they deservedly secured, with three games remaining, in June ahead of reigning champions Persipura Jayapura.

Centre midfield - Keisuke Honda

Japan

Honda exploded back onto the international scene with four goals in two matches, including a hat-trick against Jordan. Days later he put in an immense performance against the Socceroos, setting up Kurihara's goal in their dramatic 1-1 draw. The CSKA man provided a creative spark as shadow striker in all three matches for Japan, and proved to any scouts watching that he's just as worthy as Shinji Kagawa of joining a big club.

Left midfield - Kim Bo-Kyung

Cerezo Osaka & South Korea

Korea's successor to Park Ji-Sung had a fine month for the national team, prompting coach Choi Kang-Hee to claim he's ahead of the Manchester United man's development at his age. Kim produced two assists against Qatar and scored twice against Lebanon as the Taeguk Warriors had a dream start to final round qualifying with back-to-back wins. His form has prompted rumours of a European move.

Striker - Pipob On-Mo

Chonburi

The striker was the star of the show in the biggest Thai Premier League clash of the season to date as Chonburi stunned champions Buriram United 4-3. Pipob netted the first treble of his professional career at the age of 33 and it was a perfect hat-trick as he netted with his left foot, right foot, and head. That result was all the more remarkable considering it ended Buriram's 39-game unbeaten run.

Striker - Lee Dong-Gook

Jeonbuk Motors & South Korea

The veteran led the line for his country in their opening World Cup qualifier victories, influencing both games despite failing to hit the score sheet. However his best form was at domestic level, where he helped fire Jeonbuk into top spot, the FA Cup quarters and a nine-match winning streak. Lee netted six goals in June including a hat-trick against Gyeongnam and is now the K-League's equal top scorer with 12 strikes.

Striker - Kensuke Nagai

Nagoya Grampus

The Hiroshima-born striker enjoyed a prolific month with midtable Nagoya Grampus, netting some six goals in four J-League games. His production helped the 2010 Japanese champions achieve an unbeaten month, moving them up to seventh. Nagai's pace and quality up front also landed him a call-up, as expected, for Japan's Under-23 side which will travel to the 2012 London Olympics.

Manager - Kas Hartadi

Sriwijaya

The 41-year-old may have only been appointed to the Sriwijaya top job last September following Bulgarian Ivan Kolev's exit, but he made a fast impact, guiding the club to the Indonesian Super League title in his very first season. Many pundits had expected Persipura Jayapura to retain their title, but Sriwijaya surprised many, clinching the crown by some margin with three games still to play.

SUBSTITUTES

Goalkeeper	Defender	Defender	Midfielder
Mark Schwarzer (Australia)	Koh Yo-Han (FC Seoul)	Jung In-Hwan (Incheon United)	Nashat Akram (Iraq)

Winger	Striker	Striker
Feng Renliang (Shanghai Shenhua & China)	Alex Brosque (Shimizu S-Pulse & Australia)	Keijiro Ogawa (Vissel Kobe)

The Goal.com team have had their say, and now it's your chance to vote for who you think should be the Asian Player of the Month!

Do you agree with our Best XI picks? Would you rather swap a player from the bench?
Let us know in our comments!

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