Australia’s Harry Kewell, right, scores as Iraq’s player Basem Abbas, left closes in during their AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match at Al Sadd Stadium, in Doha, Qatar, Saturday Jan. 22, 2011. Australia beat Iraq 1-0. (AP Photo/Tara Todras-Whitehill)
Asian football has come a long way in the last decade. It began promisingly enough with the World Cup being staged in Asia for the first time in 2002 in South Korea and Japan.
Then, South Korea captivated the imagination of a nation with the vivid images of waves of Koreans in red, cheering in the stands and streets of Seoul, being one of the moments of the tournament as the Taeguk Warriors made it through to a historic semi-final – and only being denied a place in the final by a last gasp, Michael Ballack-winner.
Asia were perceived as the perennial easy-beats, and although South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Iran would regularly and proudly represent Asia in the World Cup throughout the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, Asia never could compete with Europe, South America and even Africa, being easily being disposed of.
That all changed, of course, after 2002 with Portugal, Italy and Spain feeling the wrath of the element of surprise that South Korea dealt them on home soil and ever since, Asia has steadily grown into a very formidable continent.
With South Korea and Japan both impressing in South Africa 2010 by making the round of 16 and only being denied by the brilliant brace of Luis Suarez and a penalty shootout against Paraguay, it shows that while there is still some way to go, there have been massive inroads that have been made.
The results are important of course, from an international tournament perspective. However, the growth of national talent into not just battlers who may ply their trade in clubs here and there in Europe with relative obscurity, but Japan and South Korea are also currently producing truckloads of talent that are now finally going over to Europe to some pretty darn good clubs, and getting vital experience and education and are putting Asia on the map for good.
Asia’s biggest stars over the years have included the likes of Park Ji Sung, Hidetoshi Nakata, Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Shinsuke Nakamura and Tim Cahill.
Today, the likes of Keisuke Honda, Park Chu Yong, Lee Chung Yong, Ki Song Yong, Shinji Kagawa, Yuto Nagatomo and Koo Ja Cheol lead the line of generation next, where the talent has arguably improved even more.
While the aforementioned list are stars at their respective clubs and are almost indispensable, I believe that Australia do not have enough young talent, playing regular football at decent clubs and flourishing.
Australia, being a multicultural country should have no trouble latching onto some of the most exciting talents from all over the world. However, most are playing in the A-League or Asia or in lower leagues in Europe which would perhaps give Japan and Korea a greater edge and separate themselves from Australia and form the big two of Asia.
Currently, South Korea boast of several players in Europe who, more importantly are key and regular players:
Park Chu Young – AS Monaco
Lee Cung Yong – Bolton
Ki Song Yong – Celtic FC
Cha Du Ri – Celtic FC
Jung Jo Gook – Auxerre
Koo Ja Cheol – Vfl Wolfsburg
Nam Tae Hee – Valenciennes
Ji Dong Won – Sunderland
Park Joo Ho – Basel
And there are the two prodigies of the Hamburg and Alax academy:
Son Heung Min – Hamburg
Suk Hyun Jun – currently plays for FC Groningen
With over half the starting national team playing regular football in Europe and reasonably powerful clubs like Ajax and Hamburg, taking young talent and nurturing them it is a big step in raising the profile of not just Korean, but Asian football.
Japan has an outstanding list of European contingents:
Keisuke Honda – CSKA Moscow
Yuto Nagatomo – Internationzale
Atsuto Uchida – Schalke
Tomoaki Makino – FC Koln
Maya Yoshida – VVV-Venlo
Michihrio Yasuda – Vitesse
Akihiro Ienaga – Mallorca
Makoto Hasebe – Vfl Wolfsburg
Shinji Okazaki – Stuttgart
Takashi Usami – Bayern Munich
Australia, however, having been reliant over the years on the likes of stars like Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill, Mark Bresciano, Brett Emerton, Mark Schwarzer and Vince Grella, have some serious problems in terms grooming talent overseas.
This is, by no means, a criticism of the current team, but surely the just-listed names will not be there in Brazil 2014.
While there is some fine young talent in Australia, the game has changed.
Asia’s powerhouses of Japan and South Korea. no longer pull squads from the J or K-League. It is apparent that teams are being assembled from players playing in Europe and that in itself vastly improves the squad.
At this rate, I believe that Australia will fall behind the big two, unless they can produce talent that can excel in Europe like Az’s Brett Holman and Mitch Langerak.
The next generation, who will most likely play a role in Brazil, consist of:
Michael Zullo – Utrecht
Rhys Williams – Middlesbrough
Robbie Kruse – Dusseldorf
Shane Lowry – Aston Villa
James Holland – AZ
Tommy Oar – Utrecht
Mustafa Amini – Dortmund bound
This is the bunch that is playing in Europe and represent the young brigade, on top of the likes Luke Wilkshere, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak and Matt McKay.
Australia won a lot of admirers in South Africa for the dogged display against Ghana and their true selves against Serbia. But it is still a fact that they did not progress and will not make any impact in Brazil, unless the new brigade become more cultured and sophisticated in their football and that can only be found in Europe.
The A-League is always improving, but youngsters need to be exposed to the European scene so that they are motivated to get there, if they fail first time or can revel in the field of elite European football.
Who knows, the likes of Amini, Langerak, Oar and Holland could become stars in Europe by 2014, but the work has to be done now because while Asia rises to new heights Australia could fall behind.
asian
Guest
Asia, full of talent but lack the spherical administrative regulation only
David Heidelberg
Guest
Outplayed by Japan? One goal from a very poor defensive lapse, and their goalkeeper was man of the match for a good reason, and and when that happens it is a guarrantee that a team did not outplay their opponents. In Asia the Uzbeks are a serious mid-level team with a rich, strong league and a good young team. Despite that they were crushed like minnows, proving that Australia is not being left behind by Asia.
Subrasub
Roar Guru
okay fussball okay you can continue to to be japans number 1 fan
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Just another point, Subrasub ... Japan have only QUALIFIED for 3 FIFA WCs - same as Australia. In 2002, Japan (and Sth Korea) didn't have to qualify - they were the hosts.
David V.
Guest
I'm not just talking 2002 but overall. The Koreans qualified for '86, '90 and '94 and '98, and while not winning a game in those tournaments did battle hard. Japan lost all three in '98, and got one point in '06, aside from their successes of '02 and '10. South Korea did win one game in '06 and drew another.
Sean
Guest
Korea having more WC success is kind of a mute point. They did have that one amazing WC showing in 2002, but many believe they cheated their way to a 4th place finish. Other Japanese in Eurpoe: Takayuki Morimoto- Catania (SerieA Italy) Daisuke Matsui- Grenoble (Ligue 2 France) and may transer to a better club Hajime Hosogai- FC Ausburg (Bundeliga Germany) Shiji Kagawa- Burussia Dortmund (Bendesliga Germany) arguably Asi's best player along with Honda Robert Cullen -VVV Venlo (Dutch League) Eiji Kawashima - Lierse (Belgian League) Japanese players are finally showing interest in playing Europe when in the past theyd shy away from it and almost squnder their skills in Japan. Doing this has brought Japan back to prominence and quite frankly a world power. Their showing in the WC was impressive, beat Argentina, won the AFC Asian Cup and have yet to lose a game since the WC. Right now Japan is the top dog and its not even close, the prospects coming out are amazin with the likes of Kagawa, Miyaichi, Usami, all 21 or younger. To go with established players like Honda, Nagatomo, Ienaga, and Hasebe. As well as good veterans like Endo, Tanaka, Nakazawa, Konno. This is truly a golden age for Japan soccer. It seems like the prominant sports scene in Japan has changed from Baseball to Soccer which may explain the new crop of talent and the number of players coming out and playing in Europe. Also retired players like Hidetoshi Nakata and Shunuke Nakamura urgin players to play in Europe has helped this Japanese soccer generation.
Futbanous
Guest
Subrasub this is what we aim to achieve as you state. "I think its worth noting that players in australia have to hone their skills in oz before embarking on a european adventure so that they are ready to deliver in europe and not go too early and find themselves struggling for game time and halting their development" No good contemplating being like the elite leagues. Nobody else can (even in traditional areas like South America). But we can emulate the second tier leagues in Europe plus MLS & top Asian Leagues..
Subrasub
Roar Guru
futbanous the espn article is really intriguing. I guess you have to strike a compromise in this instance. You either want a strong league or a strong national team. Only the likes of germany, france, spain, italy and to a certain extent england can say they have a strong domestic league as well as a strong national team. By strong team i mean a good tournament team because at the end of the day you will expose your better players to better leagues to improve your players and thus inprove the team. However while these top nations have the luxuary of grooming talent domestically and keeping them there because their leagues are elite. Thats not a luxuary australia has. The bottom line is that australia is clearly a better national team than their league. The bottom line is do you want to have a great dom league like the epl but have a underachieving national team like england? The dutch have a comparably poorer league yet they have a fantastic national side. Its a tricky situation but for developing footballing nations in asia like us we need to place an emphasis on building a strong national team then focusing on the league. I think its worth noting that players in australia have to hone their skills in oz before embarking on a european adventure so that they are ready to deliver in europe and not go too early and find themselves struggling for game time and halting their development
Futbanous
Guest
Interesting article here from ESPN:- http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/931581/john-duerden-reflects-on-a-growing-transfer-trend-in-asia?cc=3436 The ESPN article sort of contradicts this one in that they(J,K,C League clubs in particular) are only now worrying about the detrimental effect on their domestic league of a flood of young talented players leaving for Europe,something we've experienced for some 20 years or so. In this sense we may be ahead of them in that our teens are not leaving as early & others are returning quicker than expected,because we experienced much of what is now happening in the JKC leagues in the NSL days. Ie we have experienced that the grass is not always greener stuck up in the wild playing fields of Scotland etc(Ask Erik Paartalu,Rocky Visconte) & just maybe coaches like Ange arent too bad & I'll stay a bit longer until I'm a more rounded professional(refer Mitch Nichols).
Subrasub
Roar Guru
well perhaps i went overboard in my word choice but i think my article should be given its due respect and not taken out of proportion by arguing points that are not even related to what i am saying. I think everyone acknowledges that australia has been given a tough qualification process under oceania but thats just poor administration because a switch to asia should have been made a long time again. In saying that the oppostion in the play off round in recent times has not been as difficult as you think. Scotland in 1986, Israel and NZL in a play off group in 1990 where australia finished second is not good enough considering the weakish opposition, 1998 was a very beatable opponent in Iran and in 2002 uruguay were the opponents who wre hardly a powerhouse team. In the last 5 wc prior to making it only the 1994 qualification foe in argentina were extremely tough. Australia should have done better there are no excuses for the "hard opposition". And for the record i dont think you should be suggesting anything about writing articles if you don't know what context my responses are originating from.
Realfootball
Guest
Suprasub, you need to hold on to the hyperbole here. Our world cup record is not "pitiful" compared to Japan and South Korea. That is an absurd statement. Fussball makes a very good point about the difficulty of Australia's qualification process. It has had a massive, negative effect. If you are going to submit pieces to the Roar, can I suggest that you respond less pejoratively to critical posts. Fussball is an educated and regular contributor; referring to his posts as "pathetic" is hardly in the spirit of this website. Firstly, he made valid points, and secondly, he is perfectly entitled to make them in response to your article.
Subrasub
Roar Guru
i dont wanna beat a dead horse anymore but the facts are plain and simple. You have no basis for an argument for 1974 because we didnt even score a goal and thats just one wc compared to koreas half dozen that have included a ridiculous group. Australia have been given some pretty open groups in the last two wc but havnt taken advantage. I honestly though australia could make the semi finals because taking ghanas spot would have mean usa in the 16 then uruguay in the quarters and then who knows against the dutch but noooo the aussies couldnt d it. Same for 06 if we werent cheated by italy we wouldve had ukraine in the quarters and another semi beckons. This frustrates me immensely thats why this inability to seize the moment leaves our world cup record pitifull compared to the others.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Subrasub Now here are some stats for you about WC appearances for Australia at its 3 FIFA WCs. 1974: Grouped with West Germany, East Germany & Chile. We lost to both Germanys and drew with Chile * West Germany ended up winning the tournament * East Germany actually topped the Group and were the only team to beat West Germany during the tournament * Chile only lost 1 game: 0:1 v West Germany So, this was a pretty reasonable Group, don't you think? 2006: Grouped with Brasil, Japan & Croatia. Defeated Japan, Lost to Brasil, Drew with Croatia. * Brasil were Cup Holders and 5-times winners of the FIFA WC * Qualified for Ro16 and lost to a contentious penalty in the final 15 seconds of the game to Italy, who won the tournament 2010: Grouped with Germany, Ghana & Serbia. Lost to Germany, Defeated Serbia & Drew with Ghana. So, in 3 FIFA WCs Australia has lost to: West Germany, who won the tournament; Italy, who won the tournament; Brasil, who were the previous winners of the tournament; East Germany, who was the only team to defeat the 1974 winners; and Germany, who were the stand-out team in 2010, other than Spain. Yeah .. I'm very proud of that record by Australia in FIFA WC tournaments.
Subrasub
Roar Guru
Okay my bad with Japan's World cup record it is 4 yes not 7 I got mixed up with South Korea. Now Fussball if you were kind enough to actually read my article, then you would have noticed I wrote “Asia who were the perennial easybeats”and yes that does include South Korea because they are in Asia. Now you are arguing about world cup records. Why? I never said Japan and South korea have superior world cup records. That's just stating the obvious. We are talking about player development may I remind. Your preposterous postulation that South Korea have “done nothing” at the 4 world cups prior to 2002 is absolutely ludicrous and that just because Japan have made one more wc appearance than Australia means.....what? Now I will give you a World Cup Lesson so that you don't make pathetic comments. The raw facts are that: Japan have made 4 world cups to Aus's 3. Those 4 are consecutive which is an achievement in itself not 32 years between drinks. Japan have made the round of 16 twice and Aus have done so once. Crystal clear Japan have a superior world cup record than Oz. South Korea have almost tripled Aus appearances with 8 with a record 7 straight from 1986-2010. They almost reached a FINAL and made another round of 16 appearance in 2010. Now your claim that South Korea have done nothing in the wc before 2002? In 1986 South Korea were grouped with eventual winner Argentina, Italy and Bulgaria. Thats 3 powerhouse nations at the time. Korea lost 3-2 to Italy thanks to an own goal and drew with Bulgaria 1-1. Thats pretty commendable considering how bad Asian football was at the time. In 1990 Korea again were drawn with giants Spain and Uruguay. They were defeated 3-1 and 1-0 to Spain and Uruguay. Hardly a disgrace. In 1994 Korea again were dealt a crazy draw with Germany and Spain in their group. Korea drew 2-2 with Spain and lost 3-2 to Germany to finish 3rd in the group. You think its easy to get out of that group? Do you think its easy to even compete in this group? In 1998 Korea were given a slightly(if any) easier draw with eventual Semi Finalist Netherlands, Mexico in their group. If there was a poor world cup where Korea seemingly did nothing it was only this world cup where they were trounced 5-0 by the Netherlands and finished last. In 2002 Korea plays Portugal, Italy, Spain and Germany and beats 3 of them to make a Semi Final. That's no fluke even if it was at home Korea faced the best of the best in this tournament and almost beat them all. In 2006 Korea ends up with 4 points in a group including Togo and Switzerland and ends up missing out on the knockout rounds by a whisker and drawing with eventual runner up France 1-1. In 2010 South Korea makes the round of 16 even after being hammered 4-1 by Argentina with 4 points in a group featuring Greece and Nigeria and ran Uruguay close to miss out on a quarter final berth. Now I have added the last 2 world cups to show that Korea have won games and been close to making the knockout rounds when given a chance by the draw. You can see from 1986-1998 that Korea was drawn in the group of death (for them) almost every time in that period yet were only humbled once by the Netherlands and flew the flag for Asia and performed admirably against the world's best and your saying they have done nothing? Id like to see our Aussie boys do that. 4-0 against Germany? This is World Cup pedigree that doesnt look too shabby when compared with the globe and you are trying to devalue it by comparing it to Australia? These are cold hard facts Fussball next time do some research.
Barca4life
Guest
You may have forgot one huge aspect its the education! thats the biggest aspect thats made Japan and Korea improve, they invested in creating better coaches which therefore leads to better players, and of cource leads to better football. Thats the biggest difference it doesnt matter how popular the sport is, like in Japan football is still number 2 behind baseball, they invested in creating better pathways for the players, but invested in coach education thats the biggest difference, it all starts from the grass roots, once they understand the national phiosophy concepts than it therfore leads to improvements on all levels, thankfully the FFA have a released a National Ciriculum in 2009, which states the needs for a improvement in the techical standards(encorage a passing possession game, playing pro-actively use of 4-3-3 etc), but we wont see the results in a 10 to 15 years or so, ok the way the joey's played wasnt great but its a start of long revolution whch bear fruit in time, thats what Japan and Korea did too, and look at the results, the FFA have finally aknowleged that we need to improve, so with the implemtation of the ciriculum that will help where we want to get in order into challenging not just with Asia but with the World! The ride wont be pretty, but we need to patient and to work hard,its about the education at all levels. Also hopefully a new TV deal which will only assist in terms of creating new funds which will tunnel down to the grass roots.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
I totally agree with Chris K. I think it's fanciful to state: "aus were outplayed by japan". And, perhaps, the most obvious fact to prove this is Japan's GK, Kawashima, won the "Man of the Match". Now, even if you don't follow football, logic suggests that ... the only way a team's GK wins "Man of the Match" is IF the GK has a lot of work to do! A GK doesn't win man of the match, when his team outplays the opposition - simply won't happen. And, the reason the Japanese GK had a lot of work to do was b/c, on numerous occasions, Australia cut through the Japanese defence and the GK had to pull off save after save. By contrast, apart from Japan's spectacular goal, I cannot recall Schwarzer having to make even one save ... yes, Japan had some chances but they were all well wide. And, yes, you are correct: "aus ... were never threatening against korea". The game ended in a 1-1 draw and that was the only goal Australia conceded prior Japan's winning goal in the Final.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Let's put some perspective on Japan's and Sth Korea's allegedly superior WC history. 1. Has either country been asked to play knock-out qualifiers against Scotland, Uruguay (x2) & Argentina, as did Australia? 2. Sth Korea: 8 WC appearances * The first 5 tournaments, Sth Korea didn't win a game - yup, that's right, 14 matches for 4 Draws and 10 losses! * Only when they finally hosted the FIFA WC, Sth Korea won their 1st game * So, yes, Sth Korea have qualified for 8 x FIFA WCs but, prior to 2002, they didn't do much once they got there. 3. According to my data, you are WRONG about Japan's WC history - Japan have only qualified for 4 FIFA WCs ... 1 more than Australia
Subrasub
Roar Guru
chillax chris i did watch it and watched agains to c how they lost. Both teams had a plethora of chances and i know aus dominated the first half but were clearly in trouble when defeding on the counter. Cahill playing upfront himself is not good enough there are no clinical finishers in this aus team. With all those chances there was not even one goal. What does that suggest? Japan played smart counter attacking football and lee scored the stunner in extra time- a clinical and emphatic volley. Im gutted as hell but its clear japan beat em fair and square.
Subrasub
Roar Guru
i totally agree with what you are saying expecially about how the domestic asian leagues are more superior than some european leagues. Im not devaluing the domestic leagues but im saying that australia have to find your harry kewells, tim cahills, mark schwazers and mark brescianos who are have played for are still playing for teams like liverpool, everton, fulham, blackburn and lazio. Of course playing for bucharest in romania or tomsk in russia will not be any different in terms of quality than a sydney fc. Sure these korean and japanese players have honed their skills at home to convert into success abroad but they were signed young enough to be raw and have a long career but old enough to deliver around 20-23. Our youngsters and i mean the top shelf ones have to get ready in oz and go over there asap to develop and become the harry or mark.
Chris K
Guest
outplayed by japan? not threatening against korea? did you even watch the asian cup? australia had chances to finish both those games but were undone by poor finishing. japan beat us at the end of extra time due to a defensive lapse and that was only one goal, hardly what i call outplayed. the japanese goalkeeper made something like 6 saves that night and japan never had a clear cut chance on goal for the whole 90 mins, there was a reason he won man of the math that night.