2015 is upon us, so it's time for ESPN FC to take a look at ten Asian players who will be worth keeping an eye on in the New Year...
1. Evan Dimas (Persebaya Surabaya and Indonesia)
The 19-year-old has been a sensation in Indonesia ever since a 2013 hat-trick against South Korea in qualification for Asia's U-19 Championship. The dimunative midfielder has actually spent time in Barcelona in 2012 after impressing Nike's 'The Chance' talentspotters and earning a place among 100 to train in front of Pep Guardiola.
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Dimas can do what he wants with the ball and ended 2014 by making a goalscoring debut for the senior national team in the AFF Suzuki Cup. He was one of the better performers there, even if that is not saying much. Dimas plays with joy, confidence and fluidity. He could become the biggest Indonesian star since Bambang Pamungkas.
2. Munther Abu Amarah (Al Wahdat and Jordan)
A winger who can play on either side, Abu Amarah showed his potential at the 2014 Asian U-22 Championships but is now becoming a regular with the senior team. Quick in both feet and with his head, the Palestinian-born star comes alive near the opposition penalty area.
The 22-year-old has already won pretty everything there is to win in Jordan with Al Wahdat. There is some interest from clubs in richer West Asian leagues but he could be better advised to hold out for a move further west.
3. Omar Abdulrahman (Al Ain and UAE)
The 23-year-old has been on these kinds of lists before but 2015 could be a very big year for the playmaker with hair that is as big as his talent. The Saudi-born schemer has resisted the call of Europe so far but recent comments suggest that the big transfer will come sooner rather than later. Manchester City, Arsenal, Valencia and others have all been interested and if, as expected, he dazzles at the Asian Cup in January, there is sure to be lots of competition.
4. Chanathip Songkrasin (BEC Tero and Thailand)
Songkrasin is just 21, but is one of the biggest stars in Southeast Asian football. The midfielder's spectacular strike from outside the area against Malaysia in the second leg of the final of the ASEAN tournament not only sealed the win for Thailand but silenced 100,000 home fans.
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Nicknamed 'Messi Jay' in his homeland and now around the region, 2015 should show whether he can keep the nickname when he comes up against tougher opposition.
5. Ahmad Ibrahim Khalaf (Ajman and Iraq)
One of the best centre-backs in West Asia, it is not always easy to catch the eye in team that contains such talents as Humam Tariq and Ali Adnan but this tough-tackling titan does it. Just 22 but with over 40 appearances for his country, he is comfortable on the ball and good in the air. Aggressive and commanding, the UAE-based defender likes to build attacks from the back but loves breaking up those of the opposition.
6. Yoshinori Muto (FC Tokyo and Japan)
Has already broken into the national team and, at 22, has the time and the talent to be at the front of the Samurai Blue line for years to come. It is no secret that while Japan produces talented attacking midfielders and speedy full-backs by the bullet train, number nines have been harder to come by.
"We didn't have this kind of striker before in Japan," remarked Keisuke Honda after Muto's first international goal came against Venezuela in September. Muto is fearless in front of goal and not afraid to miss. The FC Tokyo man could star in Australia at the Asian Cup in January and could be soon heading to Europe.
7. Tomi Juric (Western Sydney Wanderers and Australia)
The striker had a pretty good year by scoring the winning goal in the AFC Champions League final against Al Hilal but could well be on his way to Europe before too long. Links play beautifully but his confidence when going for goal alone is matched by his skill. Offers from Sweden and Russia have already been turned down but bigger and better ones from bigger and better leagues are sure to come, especially if the 23-year-old shines during the Asian Cup.
8. Charyl Chappuis (Suphanburi and Thailand)
The midfielder, 22, was born in Switzerland and part of the Swiss team that won the U-17 World Cup back in 2009. Classy on the ball and hard working off it, he was perhaps the best performer at the recent ASEAN tournament.
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Regarded as perhaps the best-looking player in the whole of Southeast Asia, this heartthrob has the beautiful feet to go with the face. Technically excellent with a real football brain, a player who not only looks good but makes others look good too.
9. Sardar Azmoun (Rubin Kazan and Iran)
The 'Iranian Messi' tag doesn't help but the young forward is making quite a name for himself. Already linked to Arsenal, a story he seemed to confirm on social media, he wasn't far from making the World Cup squad.
Since then, the 19-year-old has scored his first goal for his country, the winner against South Korea in November. More solid performances in the Russian league and the teenager will be heading further west before long.
Jong Il-Gwan (Rimyongsu and North Korea)
2015 could be the year when Jong really breaks into the continental consciousness. The 2010 Young Asian Player of the Year scored a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Australia in the final of that year's Asia's U-19 Championship and there was even talk of moves to England.
This was premature but he has established himself as an important member of the senior squad and ended the 2014 Asian Games as the tournament's top scorer.