Here’s the second part of our round-up, looking at the success of Umbro-sponsored teams around the world.

Japan

Yasuhito Endo (pictured above), a midfielder for the Umbro-sponsored team Gamba Osaka, was voted Asian Footballer Of The Year. He has played more than 250 games for his club, and scored more than 60 goals. He also has over 80 caps for the Japanese national team, scoring 7 goals for them.

Northern Ireland

At a gala evening in Belfast, Cliftonville FC’s striker Chris Scannell was recognised as the Top Goal scorer the IFA Premiership. The Footballer of the Year award went to Crusaders FC ‘s captain Colin Coates.

Peru

In the championship play-off in Peru, Universitario followed up their 1-0 defeat of old rivals Alianza Lima in the first leg with an identical result in the second. Veteran midfielder Nolberto Solano (a Peruvian and Umbro legend who will be familiar to many of us) sparked jubilant scenes at the Estadio Monumental in Lima when he converted a penalty to end Universitario’s nine-year title drought.

According to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, an international organization recognized by FIFA, Universitario was the best Peruvian club of the 20th century and the 28th most successful South America.

Poland

Slawomir Peszko won the award for Midfielder of the Year 2009 Award in Poland, an award voted by his fellow footballers. Peszko is 24 year old Polish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Lech Poznań. Peszko made his debut for his country in a friendly against Ireland in November 2008.
The Coach of the Year title went to Maciej Skorza, the manager of Wisla Krakow, the current Polish Champions.

Thailand

Thai Port FC won the Thailand FA Cup Final 2009. Based in Khlong Toei district of central Bangkok, Thai Port F.C are one of the most successful clubs in Thai Football history, having won the Kor Royal Cup 8 times, and the Queen’s Cup 6 times.

Uruguay

Uruguay’s title holders Nacional won the Apertura championship with a game to spare after a 1-0 win over Fenix in the penultimate round. Defender Alvaro Gonzalez scored the only goal in the 55th minute of Thursday night’s match to put Nacional out of reach, five points clear of Liverpool and Defensor Sporting.

Nacional had already qualified for Libertadores 2010 Cup back in July and with last night’s triumph has also qualified to play as Uruguay 1 in the next edition of the Copa Sudamericana, so we will have Nacional play both South American Cups during 2010.

Congratulations once again to all these Umbro teams and players, and here’s to plenty more success in 2010!