In a soccer scoreboards feature, we look at the role of Asian players in World soccer, and list the three most successful players in the game at the moment.
There are very few Asian players plying their trade in the top leagues of Europe. The question is, why is this so? Why are there so many African players, for instance, but so few Asian players?
Some people point to the physical disadvantage that many Asian players have over African and European players, ie. they are physically smaller. I am sure that this is complete nonsense though. The best players in the world today are all shorter than 5 foot 10. Let’s face it, Messi, Villa, Xavi and Iniesta are hardly remarkable physical specimens! Size is only really an advantage for the central defenders, but most Asian countries do actually have enough larger people for this not to be problem. When Asian countries play in the World Cup, they regularly beat the African teams, and sometimes beat the bigger South American and European teams too. This clearly shows that they can compete.
I feel that the principal reason for the lack of Asian is cultural. Soccer is widely played across Asia, but there is little focus in reaching the professional ranks. There are very few Academies of Excellence, and few scouts looking out for the next talent. Also, Asian countries do not have the ties to European countries that say, South American and African countries do. Less people are out there looking for them, and less people are there looking to leave their country to move to Europe.
Despite this, the soccer scoreboards show that a small number of fantastic Asian players have made it in Europe in the last few years. Here are the best of them:
Ji-Sung Park
The best known Asian footballer in Europe is Ji-Sung Park of Manchester United. He moved to the club in 2005 and has made over 150 appearances. He regularly gets a starting place in what is one of the most competitive squads in the world. He has great pace and technique, and is a worthy player in one of the very best club teams in the world.
Masoud Shojaei
Masoud Shojaei plays for Osasuna in Spain. Last year he had a great season for them, and helped his team go far in the Spanish Copa Del Ray. He is a flashy midfielder, and his nation Iran will be hoping that he can bring his experience playing in Europe’s best league to bring the team to the World Cup finals in 2014.
Makoto Hasebe
This young midfield player has been putting in great performances for Wolfsburg in Germany, and as a result has attracted the interest of bigger European teams. He was influential in bringing the league title to Wolfsburg last year. He played for Japan in the World Cup where he scored two goals and had five assists.
For more information on Jung Si Park, go to: