"I could leave the hospital healthy and for that I'm really grateful to the medical personnel," Sakai said in an online interview after team practice in Kobe.

The former Japan international spoke to the press for the first time since recovering from the pneumonia-causing virus, saying he intends to repay his good fortune on the pitch when the J-League first division resumes.

Normal rules don’t seem to apply to Lee. At an age when most footballers are already enjoying the fruits of their well-earned retirement, the forward is still showing few signs of slowing down.

Lee burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old in 1998 for Pohang Steelers, a young talent who seemed to have the world at his feet having helped the side win the 1997-1998 Asian Club Championship and been called up to the senior national team the very same year.

Fast forward to the present day and the veteran striker is still turning out, and scoring, for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

Also Try:

The Asian Football Quiz: Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6, Round 7, Round 8, Round 9, Round 10

Are you Sunil Chhetri or Bambang Pamungkas? Could you be Bienve Marañón or Hammadi Ahmed? Or is your playing style similar to that of Manuchekhr Dzhalilov?

Answer the questions and find out. Don't forget to share with your friends.

Also try:
Which type of midfielder are you?
Which type of striker are you?
Which football coaching personality are you?

They are the difference between success and failure, between happiness and regret. They are what each and every fan yearns for when cheering on their team.

Over the years, Asia has – of course – witnessed more than its fair share of wonderous and iconic goals, efforts that still resonate, still excite, still make people applaud.

It is the country that brought football to the world, and several stars from the world’s largest continent have made England a second home.

As we come to the final part of our Great Grounds of Asia series, the-AFC.com brings you our top picks from the Central and South zones. Don't forget to choose your favourites down below.

ICYMI:

GGOA: ASEAN
GGOA: East
GGOA: West