Kawasaki Frontale will be indebted to Kota Takai for their impressive run to the final. A composed presence in the defence, the 20-year-old played nine games in Asia and excelled in one-on-one duels against some of the best attackers on the continent. Already a Japan international, the future indeed looks bright for the young centre-back.  

Ziyad Al Johani - Al Ahli Saudi FC 

Ziyad Al Johani earned his place among Al Ahli Saudi FC legends by guiding the club to their first-ever continental crown at the age of 23. Becoming a regular as Al Ahli earned promotion back to the Saudi Pro League in 2022-23, Al Johani is not only a wall in the midfield but also contributed two assists in the AFC Champions League Elite.  

Byeon Jun-soo - Gwangju FC 

A tall, quick and powerful centre-back, Byeon Jun-soo was crucial in Gwangju FC making the quarter-finals in their maiden appearance in Asia. The 23-year-old, who thrives on physical duels, made nine appearances and missed only two games for the K League 1 side in a historic campaign in Asia.  

It was an AFC Champions League Elite campaign to remember for Arif Aiman, who bagged five goals and two assists for Johor Darul Ta’zim as the Malaysians finished third in the East Zone of the League Stage. Having scored a double against Shanghai Port FC in the opener, Arif also struck to eliminate Pohang Steelers on the final matchday.  

Shinichi Chan - Shanghai Shenhua 

Shinichi Chan entered the field as a half-time substitute during Shanghai Shenhua’s second outing of the League Stage against Johor Darul Ta’zim and went on to start the Chinese club’s all eight remaining games. The 22-year-old left-back also scored his first AFC Champions League Elite goal in a 4-2 win against Vissel Kobe in February.  

Suphanat Mueanta - Buriram United 

Already a star for his club and country, Buriram United and Thailand attacker Suphanat Mueanta continued his exploits in the AFC Champions League Elite. He bagged two goals and an assist in only four appearances but left a lasting impact by scoring the crucial goal in their 1-0 win against Johor Darul Ta’zim in the last 16.  

Riku Yamane - Yokohama F.Marinos 

Riku Yamane was the midfield engine for Yokohama F.Marinos as the Japanese club topped the East Zone table in the League Stage on their way to quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite. The 21-year-old started all 11 games which his club played in the competition, putting in consistent and energetic displays throughout. 

Another full-back who impressed was Al Nassr FC’s Salem Al Najdi. The Saudi youngster made the Al Nassr left-back position his own and had 10 appearances for the Saudi Pro League side. Al Najdi, who can also play as a winger, offered width and balance for his club with his defensive awareness and overlapping runs.  

Asahi Uenaka - Yokohama F.Marinos 

In a Yokohama F.Marinos side brimming with talent, 23-year-old Asahi Uenaka established himself as a regular and registered two goals and an assist in the AFC Champions League Elite. The Japanese youngster scored his first continental goal in a 5-0 win against Buriram United before also bagging against Shanghai Port FC.  

Yuto Ozeki - Kawasaki Frontale 

Yuto Ozeki only returned from loan to Kawasaki Frontale in January but had a big part to play in the club’s run to the title clash in Jeddah. In the semi-final against a star-studded Al Nassr FC side, the 20-year-old scored after Tatsuya Ito’s initial effort was blocked by goalkeeper Bento to send his side on their way to the final.