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The discovery of gold in Australia in 1851 attracted thousands of Asians to our shores in search of their fortunes. More than 150 years later, the roles have been reversed in Asian football’s own version of the gold rush.
The effects of the 3+1 rule – brought in in October last year – are beginning to be seen.
Cashed-up Asian clubs from the likes of Korea, Japan and China obviously view our domestic clubs as a rich source of affordable players, hence the likes of Jade North, Sasa Ognenovski, Joel Griffiths and potentially Mark Milligan departing the A-League.
Perhaps the only way to turn the tables, under the current financial restraints, is for A-League clubs to begin to broaden their own recruiting nets.
International fixtures such as last night’s game with Indonesia are a fine opportunity for A-League coaches to do a bit of recruiting.
Even those at budget-minded clubs could have pulled up a pew to watch Fox Sports’ coverage.
With Indonesian players such as renowned striker Bambang Pamungkas (who has trialled with European clubs and has been prolific in stints in Malaysia and at home) they would have been stupid not to.
On January 21, China defeated Vietnam 6-1 while Malaysia was thumped by the UAE 5-0. Singapore took on Jordan while Thailand played Iran last night.
Is it inconceivable that none of those four matches would have involved players that could be both affordable and up to the standard of the A-League?
A further look at some of Asia’s best will be the Asian Champions League, where the Newcastle Jets and the Central Coast Mariners face teams from Japan, China and the Korean Republic.
There is always some sort of risk to signing players, particularly those from different cultures. A-League clubs have been burnt by forays into Asia in the past.
Queensland had its fingers charred by China’s Yuning Zhang, while Gao LeiLei’s second stint in New Zealand ended with his Wellington Phoenix contract being cancelled.
But the same could be said for the league’s Brazilian obsession. For every Fred, there has been a Claudinho.
The panache of Jin-Hyung Song has added flair to the Newcastle squad despite its struggles. But his real value may yet be seen with his know-how of Asian club football as the Jets begin their ACL campaign.
Nor do the players actually have to be Asian. Melbourne Victory signed striker Ney Fabiano from Thai side Chonburi, while Perth Glory took Argentinian Adrian Trinidad from Malaysian club football.
Still, those outgoing are beginning to far outnumber those coming in, and Football Federation Australia must be concerned with the exodus of quality.
It is a far different scenario to players departing for Europe.
Instead of leaving to improve themselves as footballers or to thrust themselves into Pim Verkeek’s plans, Ognenovski, North and co. have been lured by lucrative contracts.
Here’s hoping moves are already afoot by the FFA to plug the leak.
In the meantime, it’s up to the A-League clubs to replace the quality they are losing.
This week, Wellington Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said the days were gone of signing players from DVD or YouTube footage.
Maybe the answer is just on our doorstep.
Recommend this story.
January 29th 2009 @ 10:17am
BIGfootBALLS said | January 29th 2009 @ 10:17am | Report comment
Either way, great article Paddy. Lots to consider.
January 29th 2009 @ 10:48am
Kazama said | January 29th 2009 @ 10:48am | Report comment
Pip, I finished 3rd in my second season and managed to roll Melbourne, Queensland and the Mariners in the finals on the way to the toilet seat. Signing Joel Griffiths was a masterstroke, he couldn’t stop scoring all season and Cristiano still got plenty of goals as well. For the 3rd season I have added Yusuke Kato, a Japanese player currently in the lower leagues of Argentina and he’s a goal machine too (but not in real life!), so I have plenty of options up front. I also bought Hernandez from his Costa Rican club after the Victory had to return him.
Currently top of the league after 7 games and looking good.
January 29th 2009 @ 11:02am
Pippinu said | January 29th 2009 @ 11:02am | Report comment
heh, heh, Kaz, that’s quite interesting, I’ll tell you why.
I too finished 3rd (in my first season), and defeated the same teams to win the toilet seat! The same 4 teams that are actually in the finals right now.
I’m actually going worse in my 2nd season, sort of fluctuating between 3rd and 5th after about 12 rounds (in fact, I just lost a crucial home game agasint the top team, CCM). I decided to make it interesting, and created a 2nd manager, and took over the Nix – and I’ve got them in 2nd spot at the moment! Smeltz and Barbarouses are absolutely killing them, and a couple of French clubs are sniffing around for McKain, willing to offer up to $4 mill – I’ve held back for the moment – but soon as the finals are finished, I’m going to try and get at least $3 mill for him – decent money for the Nix!
And guess what, I tried to re-sign Carlos, the deal was all but signed, sealed and delivered – but the MV medical staff knocked him back last minute! Next thing I know, he’s turning out for CCM! Whaaaat!!!
I’ll tell you something else, while scouting CCM, I notice they had Dukes down for a one week trial. I quickly offered him a contract at $1,900 per week (sight unseen), and he accepted! Oh, oh – it will either be the best signing ever, or the biggest recruitment mistake since…Aloisi!
Speaking of which – SFC are in complete turmoil and are currently the easy beats of the comp – Kossie got sacked last season! I absolutely luuuuuuv FM09!
January 29th 2009 @ 11:03am
Pippinu said | January 29th 2009 @ 11:03am | Report comment
Kaz
I forgot to mention – I’ve had Skoko on my shortlist, I’m waiting for the moment when I might be able to grab him for a song.
January 29th 2009 @ 11:33am
Kazama said | January 29th 2009 @ 11:33am | Report comment
I actually stole Carlos out from under the noses of the Mariners. I kept getting news reports of them chasing him, so I thought why not have a crack because at that stage Cristiano was leaving and it would give me a lot of cap space. I ended up with both of them after Cristiano accepted a new deal a day before he became a free agent, so I had to sell Alemao to fit him in the squad. I sold Alemao for 900,000 pounds and replaced him with Tyler Simpson (who cost a lot less than that!). Funnily enough both Tyler and his understudy Michael Marrone are doing a better job than Alemao!
Sydney are rock bottom in my game too – they sacked Kossie after 1st season, hired Nick Theo and then sacked him, now they have Martyn Crook as coach but they are still last and Aloisi still sucks. I usually smash them about 4-0 when I play them.
Elsewhere the Jets are continually fining Mark Milligan because he keeps dodging training which is pretty funny. Queensland have financial problems and they keep picking up released players from the other A-League teams because they can’t afford to buy anyone decent. I managed to pinch Tommy Oar for them after the rules were changed at the start of the 3rd season so you could buy from other clubs – the Roar’s CEO overruled Farina and accepted my bid because they needed the cash. The Nix are strong in my game too but both seasons they fell apart in the last 1/3 and missed the finals.
I’ll have to keep an eye out for Viduka, I’m not sure where he is in my game. At the moment I am working a master plan to get Kewell. I’ve been sucking up to him and Galatasaray’s manager Michael Skibbe since the first season and it must be working because at the start of the season Nick Bianco announced we were now a feeder club for them. Not sure I’ll get him but it’s worth a shot.
January 29th 2009 @ 11:38am
Pippinu said | January 29th 2009 @ 11:38am | Report comment
heh, heh – becoming a feeder club so you can pinch Kewell – where’s your self respect!!
January 29th 2009 @ 11:45am
Kazama said | January 29th 2009 @ 11:45am | Report comment
I spent a whole season kissing Joel’s butt so I could get him on a free – it worked and his goals won me the toilet seat.
Trophies > Self respect
Besides, the terms of the deal are pretty sweet. In exchange for offering them a crack at any players I decide to sell I get a six figure sum every season.
January 29th 2009 @ 11:47am
jaymz said | January 29th 2009 @ 11:47am | Report comment
I dont see our players leaving for Asia as a completley bad thing, the long term effects will be beneficial – it is going to help us become engrained in Asian football and adapt alot better to it. Also i doubt it would be too hard to attract players to the A-league particularly from lower ranked competitions than ourselves. They would have the chance to play in the ACL, head to europe, poosibly study whilst here. Firman from Indonesia i thought played well last night and some A-league clubs should be looking to sign him.
Another thing i noticed is that alot of Asian countries have their own “Beckham”, E.g. Winothai from Thailand, and there was one last night but i cant remember his name. It would not hurt to sign some of these players (if they are good enough) and raise the profile of the A-league and the team they sign for throughout Asia.
January 29th 2009 @ 12:30pm
dasilva said | January 29th 2009 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
Pip
Obviously getting Asian players. They are not going to come here for the money
However ambitious asian players -who have said that are looking for an A-league contract as a shop window for europe are possible. Some of the thai players who wanted to play here – Add some sweeterneers such as access to education for their family.
In any case -the more asian players we have. The more interest from asian countries have on A-league. more interest sponsors are willing to play for A-league. The more money to poach even better players.
remember you have to plant a seed before big things grow. We just need someone to take the first step. If someone like banbang who is a rock star in indonesia is playing for the A-league as a marquee player. It may be risky but as a marketing tool that will open up A-league interest into a very big market.
Remember if Ghotbi said that australia could become the best league in asia and be a hub for asian players who want to make it to europe. Then perhaps we should look at his vision and take it seriously (who knows we may make Craig foster derogatory statement of A-league being the EPL of asia into a good thing)
January 29th 2009 @ 1:46pm
Pippinu said | January 29th 2009 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
das
I agree that the A-League might be a worthwhile shop window for any Asian player who has personal ambitions to break into Europe – a few will be willing to take a substantial pay cut for one, maybe two season at a young age to have a crack at that.
The vast majority will simply stay put where they are because the pay is so much better (and they will be joined by plenty of Australian players).