Ono is Asia's finest

Strong competition
The 23-year-old claimed the award ahead of international teammate Junichi Inamoto of Fulham FC, Korean Republic striker Jung-Hwan Ahn, and Everton FC's Chinese midfield player Li Tie.

Japanese first
Ono became the first Japanese player to lift a European trophy when he helped Feyenoord beat BV Borussia Dortmund in the final last May. He will receive his prize on 4 June when Feyenoord play a friendly against his old J-League club Urawa Red Diamonds.

Mixed fortunes
Former AC Perugia striker Ahn, a key figure in Korea becoming the first Asian side to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals, had been a slight favourite for the award. By contrast, Ono's influence on the tournament was restricted by an appendix problem and Japan were eliminated in the second round.

Hiddink honoured
Meanwhile, PSV Eindhoven coach Guus Hiddink, who managed co-hosts Korea at last summer's finals, received the AFC Coach of the Year award. His side were named the best team of 2002.