Uzbekistan’s Server Djeparov named as one of the best ever AFC Asian Cup XI

Over the years, the AFC Asian Cup has produced some brilliant footballers and coaches. So, fans were given the opportunity to vote for who they considered as the greatest 11 players in the competition's history.

After 2.6 million votes on the-AFC.com over the past few weeks, the players who made the final XI alongside six substitutes who narrowly missed out on a starting XI place.

Server Djeparov

Two-time Asian Player of the Year, Djeparov led Uzbekistan to the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals for the first time in 2011, scoring two and assisting two more. The winger played club football across the continent, representing clubs in Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, IR Iran as well as Uzbekistan.

The final XI includes Nasser Hejazi (Iran), Mehdi Mahdavikia (Iran), Saleh Al Nuaimah (Saudi Arabia), Zheng Zhi (China PR), Jamal Mubarak (Kuwait), Ali Karimi (Iran), Nashat Akram (Iraq), Shao Jiayi (China PR), Server Djeparov (Uzbekistan), Keisuke Honda (Japan), Ali Daei (Iran), Yasser Al Qahtani (Saudi Arabai).

Substitutes: Noor Sabri (Iraq), Jamal Mubarak (Kuwait), Soh Chin Aun (Malaysia), Fahd Al Harifi (Saudi Arabia), Koo Ja-cheol (South Korea), Younis Mahmoud (Iraq).

Coach: Heshmat Mohajerani. The last Team Melli coach to win the AFC Asian Cup, leading the IR Iran to win the title in 1976. Mohajerani cemented his status as an all-time great by taking the team into their first ever FIFA World Cup two years later. His impact was not limited to his home country, as he led the UAE to their AFC Asian Cup debut.