Iranian Karim Bagheri names Asian best player for December

IRNA -- Iranian international Karim Bagheri has  been selected as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Player of the Month for December after his inspirational displays for Qatar side Al Sadd helped them win the last-ever Arab Club Championship in front of their home fans at the Qassem Ben Hamed Stadium in Doha. 
"The veteran midfielder was voted player of the tournament, having scored five goals during the two-week event, which concluded with Al  Saad's 3-1 victory over Algeria's Mouloudia Oran in the final," AFC  
said in a statement on Monday.                                       
China's Dalian Shide have capped off a memorable 2001 by being named Coca-Cola AFC Team of the Month for December, the month they completed their first-ever league and cup double.
After winning the professional Chinese National Football League for the sixth time in the eight seasons since its inauguration in 1994, Dalian won their first FA Cup title by beating Beijing Guoan, last year's runners up.
Having won the first leg 1-0, Dalian secured the cup by beating  Beijing 2-1 in the second leg for a 3-1 aggregate.                   
"It was a glorious end to a remarkable year for the club, who finished runners-up in the Asian Cup Winners' Cup, while five of the  team were part of the national squad they helped China reach the World Cup for the first time. Furthermore, veteran striker Hao Haidong finished as the C-League's top scorer with 16 goals," said AFC. 
Kashima Antlers coach Toninho Cerezo has been honored as the AFC Coach of the Month after leading his side to a second successive Japan (J)-League title in dramatic fashion.
"A year on from winning a remarkable Japanese treble in his first season in charge, the former Brazilian international led his team to a second successive J.League title after staging a miraculous fight back
during the two-leg Champion ship Play-off against first-stage champions Jubilo Iwata.
"Kashima found themselves 2-0 down in the first leg in Shizuoka but two goals in the last 10 minutes salvaged a surprise draw. The side then sealed the title in the Kashima Stadium in front of over 40,000 fans, as a glorious golden goal free-kick by Mitsuo Ogasawara sparked wild scenes following a scoreless first 90 minutes,"