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.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
No Korea move for Colosimo after all - http://www.goal.com/en/news/14/asia/2010/03/25/1848359/exclusive-fc-seoul-deny-doing-deal-for-australian
subrasub
Guest
I agree that the J league is still more superior than the k league in terms of technicality but thats just about it. Koreans generally don't really care about the domestic league due to the fact their genuine stars ( Park ji sung ManU, Park Chu Young as monaco, cha doo ri Freiberg, lee dong gook Boro and double dragon (Yong) bolton and celtic) whom comprise of half of the national team are not not in action. Despite this, the K league contains some terrific domestic talent and the league itself towels up the a league anyday of the week to be candid. Technicality and genuine pace aside, the mental strength and knowledge of the game korean players possess sets them aside from the a league. It may be a biased and harsh view but it is the simple truth. The brand of football played ( physical, quick, robust and overall soundness in all facets) says it all. much more attractive
David V.
Guest
Oh and I want to see teams play more attractive and attacking football. After all, Brian Clough disparaged those who played long ball and catenaccio crap and rightly so!
David V.
Guest
I agree they aren't all *that* good, but what about the fact Gamba defeated both Melbourne and Adelaide, scoring a fair few goals in the process? Or Kawasaki Frontale hammering the Mariners? The J-League can legitimately compete with European and South American leagues for the quality of players they produce.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
and not to forget the total dominance of the competition from Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Central Coast......
Davstar
Guest
I dont rate asian leagues its as simple as that the fact the AUFC beat the champions of Asia is all the arguement i need. The Steelers have about 12 times the funds AUFC have Adelaide uniteds squad is made largely of domestic kids playing in local league aka. guys i used to play soccer with. Flores comes from 2nd div argentina and dibbled past half the steelers mid-feild, Leckie 12 month ago was in the vic premier league he dibbled 3 defenders and scored. AUFC have beat Steelers 3 times defensively they played but there is nothing wrong with that. Inter played defensive against Chelsea and look there in the last 8 of the CL, Greece won the euro 2004 playing defensive its how a smart coach plays in cup competitions people want to see there teams win hence why no one goes to the Victory ACL matches. Hell Australia play defensive and they are doing alright
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Colosimo to FC Seoul, according to the Daily Telegraph - http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/simons-choice-of-heart-or-seoul/story-e6frey4r-1225842563407
David V.
Guest
Why disparage leagues outside Europe- namely the Americas, or EA/ME/NA (East Asia/Middle East/North Africa)? They are such rich nurseries in their own right and competitions worth watching, of which I've watched my fair share.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I watched that one too, was a pretty physical encounter. Poor Strebre had to use about 5 a league matches worth of cards :)
clayton
Guest
Watched the Korea vs Japan game in the East Asian Championships (two home based squads). The men in red were pretty impressive. Their wide men were very confident and ran at their defenders. Strong, hard-running team.
David V.
Guest
How can you say no league in Asia is any good? The J-League has much greater depth of homegrown talent, to the extent that even J2 clubs boast some excellent technical ball players. That's better than some European leagues can boast these days.
Punter
Guest
I disagree, technically, both the Korean & Chinese teams have looked much better than Melbourne Victory. However, in the A-League Melbourne looks the best team technically .
dasilva
Guest
All i'm saying is that if the Korean clubs were consistently beating A-league clubs (like the Japanese are) then the Australian football public would have certainly take the K-League a lot more seriously. Now whether the K-league is a higher standard then A-league. Probably due to the money and the ability to attract better foreign players (similar to what Ogre said) and a higher technical standard but I don't think the difference is a huge amount.
Davstar
Guest
Colosimo wont get called up th SA and the K-league isnt better much better then the A-league no offence. IMO no league in the AFC is any good however the J-league is clearly the best but i've notice one thing about most teams our A-league clubs play in the AFC there best players are all internationals (esp. strikers) kind-off like the EPL with a sprinkle of decent domestic players. Spiranovic/Lowry/Rhy will get called up ahead of him simply because they're younger, they all have been called up to the Euro-ross squad. If he takes 6-8 defenders: Neil, Moor, Kissa, Chipper(if he's not injuried), Whilk and Carney(if he's not injuried)have got that covered.
Davstar
Guest
TheMagnificent - i'd like to say italy has won 4 would cups and they play defensive football what is our point about Adelaide United? nothing wrong with it not conceeding its actually the best way to play cup football. As for the EPL being the best Fulham just beat Juva 4-1
Punter
Guest
Yes another unusal one, I cannot believe that both Ogenovski & Griffiths cannot get into any Asian based socceroos squad. Must be more into it, althought PIM did say he would look into Griffiths if he continues to play well.
StiflersMom
Guest
He was called up into the squad but was not in the playing team
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
He came in half-a-step late to an aerial challenge with Kawasaki Frontale playmaker Kengo Nakamura and ended up shattering his jaw.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Wasn't their an incident involving Ogenovski in the first round of ACL matches this year where he was involved in a very bad tackle. That may have something to do with it. Like Griffifths he may be one of those players who are talented but not deemed cool headed enough for international football. Just a theory though, I haven't seen him play very often.
TheMagnificent11
Roar Guru
I don't think Ognenovski can play for Australia. Hasn't he already represented Macedonia?