Yasuhito Endo walked off with the AFC Player of the Year Award on Tuesday night warding off competitors from Syria and Japan.

The 29-year-old Gamba Osaka star, was awarded the most points in terms of MVP awards during the 2009 season's AFC campaign. 

Other nominees included Syria's Firas Al Khatib, Kengo Nakamura of Japan, Iranian Hadi Aghily and Sayed Mohamed Adnan of Bahrain.

The number of MVP points awarded to an individual player throughout the season by the by Match Commissioners and the AFC's Technical Study Group officers, is what essentially determines the winner of the award.

Endo's contribution in the AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifiers, six AFC Champions League matches and three FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Japan eventually garnered him six MVP titles. The 120 points earned from these competitions saw him edge out his nearest competetion, Al Khor's Sayed Mohamed Adnan, by more than 20 points.

Endo expressed his gratitude for the award he received: "I would like to thank the AFC for this award. This is a big honour for me.

"I was here last year but unfortunately, I wasn't able to win. However, I am very happy to win this year.

"I hope I can be a role model for young players everywhere and give hope to others in Asian football."

Endo's brilliant season saw him aiding Japan qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals. However his club contributions where blighted when last year's Asian champions, reached the round of 16 this year before falling narrowly to Kawasaki Frontale 3-2.