By Patrick Johnston

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo was crowned Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Player of the Year at the annual awards on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old Gamba Osaka player beat off competition from compatriot Kengo Nakamura, Syria striker Firas Al Khatib, Bahrain's Sayed Mohamed Adnan and Iranian Hadi Aghily to lift the coveted award for the first time.

Endo's success made up for his failure to win last year when he missed out to Uzbekistan's Server Djeparov.

AFC Champions League winners Pohang Steelers of South Korea lifted the Team of the Year award following their 2-1 victory over Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia in this year's final.

(Writing by Patrick Johnston; editing by Ken Ferris)

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