The Football Tribe Asia XI: May 2018

Asian Player of the Month

Goalkeeper: Son Jeong-hyun (Gyeongnam FC)

Gyeongnam conceded only two goals in May thanks to guardian Son. He was especially brilliant in the K1's Round 14 against Gangwon, who recorded eight attempts with seven on target in the first half. All would very likely have found the net if not for Son. However, he managed to only concede only one goal and led the team's 3-1 victory.

Defender: Everton (Bangkok United)

The Brazilian has become a key player for Bangkok United since his move from Chiangrai United. He did great on both sides of the pitch by score three goals in four May appearances. Everton has also contributed defensively, with his side conceding just two goals on the way to a perfect four wins.

Defender: Choi Bo-kyung (Jeonbuk Motors)

Originally a defensive midfielder, he now plays as a central defender and is perfectly covering for injured teammates such as Hong Jeong-ho. He shined during Jeonbuk's 4-0 victory over FC Seoul, leading the team's defense and assisting Lee Jae-sung's goal.

Defender: Masato Morishige (FC Tokyo)

Morishige has had a fantastic comeback from the injury that shortened his 2017 season, leading Tokyo to second place in the table with one of the J1's strongest defenses. Tokyo were unbeaten in May with four clean sheets thanks in no small part to their previous captain, who also scored the second goal in the team's 2-0 win at Tamagawa Classico rivals Kawasaki Frontale.

Right Midfielder: Pakorn Prempak (Port FC)

The former Thailand international scored one goal and recorded four assists in May to help Port FC win all four of their Thai League 1 matches and reach the top three ahead of the international break.

Midfielder: Do Hung Dung (Hanoi FC)

The 24 year-old central midfielder continued his blistering form this April, appearing in every minute for Hanoi and scoring two goals to help the team stand at the top of the V-League table with a six point lead.

Midfielder - Hao Junmin (Shandong Luneng)

The 31-year-old has been a key member behind Shandong Luneng's relentless charge for the top position. Hao has been a strong presence at the heart of his team's midfield with faultless performances on both sides of the ball all season. His game-tying goal at Tianjin Teda helped eventually secure a crucial away victory and put Shandong level on points with leaders Shanghai SIPG.

Midfielder: Basil Mustafa (Al-Wahda)

The Syrian scored four goals in three matches, including a hat-trick. Mustafa currently leads the Syrian Premier League with 15 goals, and his great form in May was a major component behind Al-Wahda's four-match unbeaten streak after a string of difficult losses this spring.

Forward: Ezechiel N'Douassel (Persib Bandung)

Ezechiel maintained his form from April, scoring three goals and helping Persib Bandung rise up from 11th to sixth in the table. The Chadian international has nine total goals in the Liga 1 this season and is currently joint top scorer alongside Fernando Ortega.

Forward: Youssef El-Arabi (Al Duhail)

El-Arabi had a season to remember for Qatari champions Al Duhail with 26 goals in 20 appearances, but even though the domestic campaign has come to a close he was far from finished in May with three goals in the AFC Champions League Round of 16. The Moroccan is tied for the tournament lead with nine goals after helping the club secure their first quarterfinal appearance since 2015.

Forward: Hui Jiakang (Tianjin Teda)

An attacking threat on the left wing, the 29 year-old scored a brace in a 5-1 victory over Guizhou Hengfeng and puts in two more solid performances to help Tianjin Teda earn six points from three matches.

Substitutes

DF - Ryouske Yamanaka (Yokohama F. Marinos)

GK -Khairul Fahmi (Melaka United)

MF - Le Tan Tai (Becamex Binh Duong)

FW - Patric (Sanfrecce HIroshima)

FW - Boaz Solossa (Persipura Jayapura)

FW - Wu Lei (Shanghai SIPG)

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