The former Japan forward, known as ‘King Kazu’, will turn 54 the day before the J.League’s 2021 season begins on February 27 and the up-coming campaign will be his 16th with Yokohama FC and his 36th in total.

Last week we presented the candidates for the 2020 edition's best goalkeeper, and now we shine the spotlight on the players who will make up the backline.

So, here are the 14 players in contention for the four places in defence. Review the nominees and then choose your favourite defenders for this all-star XI in the respective polls.

The semi-finals garnered hundreds of thousands of votes with Persepolis FC's Mehdi Abdi Qara leading the way with two of his goals making the final.

Abdi Qara, however, won't have it easy in the final - which will feature six goals - as Yokohama F. Marinos' Theerathon Bunmathan, Al Nassr duo Abderrazak Hamdallah and Abdulrahman Al Obaid and Esteghlal FC's Cheick Diabate also enjoyed sizeable support in the semi-finals.

Check out the finalists and cast your vote below!

Australia: Cheers for Western Sydney Wanderers, more expected of Macarthur

Western Sydney Wanderers picked up their first win of the campaign after beating Newcastle Jets 2-1 on Friday.

Ziggy Gordon broke the deadlock as early as the seventh minute, before Tate Russell doubled their advantage in the 57th.

The winner will be revealed on January 24, with 60 percent of the votes supplied by the direct participation of fans on the-AFC.com and 40 percent by a panel of Asian football experts.

Check out the nominees once again and don't forget, the result will be announced on January 24. Thank you for voting.

The winner will be revealed on January 24, with 60 percent of the votes supplied by the direct participation of fans on the-AFC.com and 40 percent by a panel of Asian football experts.

Check out the nominees once again and don't forget, the result will be announced on January 24. Thank you for voting.

Argentine striker Raul Becerra was on target in the 52nd minute to take his goal-scoring tally to five goals – to finish on par with Saif’s Nigerian forward Kenneth Ikechukwu as the top scorer.