Korean football is better than we thought

 
Mike Tuckerman Columnist

By , 19 Mar 2010 Mike Tuckerman is a Roar Expert

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The news that Sydney FC defender Simon Colosimo looks set to move to the K-League comes as no real surprise. The veteran defender harbours World Cup ambitions, but unless he finds himself a club for the next three months, he won’t be on the plane to South Africa.

Colosimo has been courted by South Korean clubs before, with Chunnam Dragons going close to signing the much-travelled defender at the start of 2009.

Sydney FC’s failure to agree on a transfer fee scotched the deal then, but this time the out-of-contract stopper could be on the first plane over to the Land Of The Morning Calm once the dust settles on Saturday night’s Grand Final.

The move is unlikely to attract an outpouring of derision on A-League message boards that Colosimo is moving to a so-called “lesser league,” partly because the departure of a peripatetic 31-year-old is not necessarily seen as a crippling blow.

But surely some recent results have also played their part, with a largely domestic-based Korea Republic humbling the Socceroos in Seoul six months ago, while unfancied K-League outfit Pohang Steelers lifted the Asian Champions League trophy last December.

All credit to Adelaide United for beating defending champions Pohang in their Champions League opener last month, but perhaps there’s a growing realisation that Korean football is not quite the step down in class that many Australian fans originally thought.

Jade North certainly discovered a competitive environment when he lobbed up at Incheon United, although it was probably the fact that Serbian coach Ilija Petkovic simply didn’t rate him that persuaded North to up sticks to Norwegian side Tromsø.

Watching the highlights of FC Seoul’s top-of-the-table clash with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors this week, I was struck by just how much there is to admire about the Korean game.

The late miss from FC Seoul striker Jung Jo-Gook was comical – not only because it was a simple chance – but also because the pyrotechnicans on hand inadvertently set off the post-goal fireworks.

But aside from Jung’s blemish, all the hallmarks of Korean football were on display – the rapid movement, the crisp passing and the more physical style that sets the K-League apart from its better-known Japanese counterpart.

There are still plenty of problems in Korean football, of course, not limited to a penchant for signing mediocre foreigners over local talent.

Military side Gwangju Sangmu regularly finish bottom – not surprisingly, since their players only spend two years with the club and Gwangju can’t sign any foreigners – while attendance figures across the league appear to be routinely exaggerated.

Nevertheless, what the K-League does offer are some decent wages and a more robust style of football than is found in neighbouring Japan.

These days it’s also an unpredictable league, with no less than five different winners claiming the title in the past five seasons.

Current holders Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors can claim former Middlesbrough striker Lee Dong-Gook and giant front man Sim Woo-Yeon among their ranks, and the team from Jeolla Province once again look the side to beat in 2010.

They’ll face some stiff competition from perennial challengers Seongnam Ilhwa, the ambitious Pohang and capital club FC Seoul, while Colosimo’s two potential suitors Chunnam and Incheon will also hope to have their say in the title race.

Regardless of whom Colosimo signs for – and that’s provided that he does join a club in South Korea – he can expect a warm welcome when he touches down in the ancient land.

There’s a healthy respect for Australian footballers in South Korea, and recent results suggest that the feeling may soon be mutual.

It’s a shame that we don’t see much Korean football on Australia TV, but should Simon Colosimo make the K-League his next port of call, he’ll certainly hope that Pim Verbeek is keeping close tabs on him.

Follow Mike on twitter @Mike_Tuckerman
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