TOKYO – Urawa Reds defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka has been named Japan’s Footballer of the Year in a poll conducted by the country’s journalists.
The award caps a stellar year for the 25-year-old, who played a key role in Urawa’s first-ever J.League title success last season.
He was also named the 2006 J.League Player of the Year in December and earned his first cap for Japan as part of new coach Ivica Osim’s revamping of the national team.
Tulio won the award after collecting 77 of the 205 votes cast nationwide. - AFC Asian Cup main website
Friday, February 09, 2007 at 10:12 PM