Kawasaki Frontale's Nakamura, Gamba Osaka's Endo, Nagoya Grampus' Yoshida and Al Ittihad captain Noor are joined on the list by players from North Korea, Bahrain, Iran, Syria, China, Indonesia, Qatar, Uzbekistan and Maldives.

Noor, who is joined on the shortlist by compatriot Nasser Al Shamrani, suffered heartbreak in Saudi Arabia's World Cup play-off defeat by Bahrain last month, but was able to help Al Ittihad reach the Asian Champions League semi-finals after disposing of Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor.

Nagoya advanced to the last four of the Asian Champions League after edging out fellow J. League side Kawasaki and will face Qatar's Umm Salal for a place in the final.

Qatar and Umm Salal goalkeeper Baba Malick has also been named alongside Bahrain defender Sayed Mohamed Adnan, Iran and Sepahan defender Hadi Aghily and North Korea duo Hong Yong-Jo and Ri Myong-Guk.

Syria's Firas Al Khatib, former China captain Li Weifeng, Indonesian Markus Rihihina, Pakhtakor's veteran Uzbekistan striker Alexander Geynrikh and Maldives' Ali Ashfaq are also named on the shortlist.

The winner, which is determined by points awarded to the man of the match in games in the Asian Champions League, AFC Cup, Asian Cup qualifiers and World Cup qualifiers, will be announced in Kuala Lumpur on November 24.

Bunyodkor's Uzbekistan international midfielder Server Djeparov is the reigning AFC player of the year.