After I reveal my source, the column has disappeared for the last two weeks.
In the meantime, something to bring a smile to Vaughn Coveny's ( and your) faces. About 2:10 in.
It's back.. 29 April - 5 May
"J-League Thunders"Most of this week's column is a report on the resumption of the J-League, after a month off post-earthquake & tsunami.
Both J-1 and J-2 resumed on the weekend of 23-24 April. A lot of interest centred on the match featuring Vegalta Sendai, as Sendai was the city that bore the bulk of the impact of the disaster. On the day, Vegalta defeated Kawasaki Frontale 2-1.
Other results were:
Omiya Ardija 0-1 Kashiwa Reysol
Ventforet Kofu 1-1 Vissel Kobe
Shimuzu S-Pulse 1-0 Fukuoka
Urawa Reds 3-0 Nagoya Grampus
Montedio Yamagata 0-0 Cerezo Osaka
Albirex Niigata 1-1 Jubilo Iwata
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4-1 Gamba Osaka
Defending champions Kashima Antlers followed up a mid-week draw with Korean heavyweights Suwon in the ACL by defeating Yokohama F-Marinos 3-0
Following their decision to with draw from the Copa America, the JFA has worked quickly to arrange friendlies for the national team. Japan will host the Kirin Cup in June, playing against Peru and the Czech Republic. The schedule is:
Japan v Peru (June 1, Niigata)
Peru v Czech Rep. (June 4, Nagano)
Japan v Czech Rep. (June 6, Yokohama)
Japan's coach, Alberto Zaccheroni says these friendlies will be very important preparation for Japan's World Cup qualfying campaign, which will begin in September. (Rounds 1 & 2
are being played in June and July, but Japan are seeded into Round 3)
Former Hong Kong international midfielder, Cheung Sai-ho, committed suicide by jumping from his 36th-floor apartment in Tin Shui Wai district of Hong Kong on April 22nd. The 35-year old, who was one of Hong Kong's best known players, killed himself after arguing with his wife over money and their relationship.
Cheung was capped 56 times for Hong Kong, scoring 8 goals. He retired from playing in 2008 due to injury. He was Hong Kong's Footballer of the Year in 2003, and holds the world record for the fastest goal, scoring after just 2.8 seconds in the 1993 Portsmouth Cup.
Bob Houghton has stepped down as coach of India's national team, after the AIFF dropped racism charges against him. The Briton was alleged to have directed racist remarks at Indian 4th Official Dinesh Nair during a friendly against Yemen last year. The AIFF said there wasn't enough evidence to support the claims, but Houghton had decided to resign, despite having a further 2 years left on his contract. The AIFF thanked Houghton for his efforts in his 5 years as coach of India. Houghton thanked the AIFF for the opportunity of working with the national team. Houghton, who previously coached China, took the reins in India in 2006. He has been under fire since India's poor performances at this year's Asian Cup in Qatar, and after making negative comments to the press about the adminstration of Indian football.
South Korean captain, Park Chu-Young, is set to get married in mid-June. He met his future wife when they were students together at Korea University.
Finally, Thailand's Surat Sukha featured in Melbourne Victory's first win of their current Asian Champions' League campaign. Despite Surat being sent off for a second yellow card, Melbourne defeated China's Tianjin Tieda 2-1
That's very sad for Hong Kong. 35 is too young (not that any age is "right").
Genuine question: Why isn't football a big sport in India (& the Indian sub-continent in general)? I'm sure it must be cultural-related.
Genuine question: Why isn't football a big sport in India (& the Indian sub-continent in general)? I'm sure it must be cultural-related.
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
J82, I'm not sure about India. I'd imagine they've got the playing population, but based on my experiences in Thailand, I'd guess the reasons might include:
* Poor/poorly promoted local product, leading to few top class players being produced
* Corruption/incompetence/infighting in governing body
* Lack of funding (it's a developing country)
* Other sports more popular/successful, hogging media spotlight
Or did I just describe New Zealand?
wolfman2011-05-09 00:07:46 I wonder if there is a Mumbai City Football Club knitting circle?
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
In the CSL this weekend Guangzhou took honours in the Guangdong derby beating Shenzhen 1-0 and move into pole position on the table.
Beijing a point behind with their 3-0 win over Chengdu.
Shanghai falls a little off the pace with only a 0-0 draw away at Changchun.
Beijing a point behind with their 3-0 win over Chengdu.
Shanghai falls a little off the pace with only a 0-0 draw away at Changchun.
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
Just found out that in the Chinese League One (below the CSL) there is another Shenzhen club - Shenzhen Phoenix FC. One of the forwards is called Sandro (also from Brazil).
Junior82 likes this
Junior82 likes this
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
Round 7 of the CSL sees Guangzhou stay at the top with a 3-1 win over hapless Henan -now 2nd from bottom.
Beijing continues to put pressure on Guangzhou with another of it's "easy games" 2-0 over Qingdao.
Meanwhile cellar dwellers Shenzhen record their first point with a 0-0 draw against Dalian (nb Killen has scored Shenzhen's only goal; so far this season).
Shanghai remain 5th after beating Tianjin who fall to 9th.
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
Late again:
6-12 May
'Carlos Queiroz .. "Iran is coming Back"
This week focusses on Iran, and former Manchester United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz' first few weeks on the job. A lot of of the article rehashes stuff I copied before...took over from Ghotbi, who went to Japan...Queiroz on 3M USD/yr... Iran trying to return to past glories...
Examples of which are past World Cup qualification in 1978, 1998 (when they beat the US), and 2006. More recently they failed to reach the 2010 World Cup, and were eliminated by South Korea in the quarterfinals of this year's Asian Cup.
Queiroz recently had a 3-week training camp with Iranian players, and pronounced himself satisfied with them. He issued a warning to other teams in Asia that Iran would once again be a great force on the continent. 'I saw the Iranian players crying when they lost to South Korea at the Asian Cup. This showed me that they love the national team very much. i've told them that if they don't want to cry again, we must work very hard, so in the future, others will cry instead."
Queiroz has appointed Omid Namazi of Iran as an assistant, along with Queiroz' long-time assistant and compatriot, Gaspar.
The camp was the first step in Iran's preparation for World Cup qualification. They will travel to Europe on around 27 or 28 June for a training camp, and return on July 9th or 10th, in time to face the Maldives in a Asian Zone Round 2 qualifying tie. Iran werel to play a friendly against Venezuela on June 6th, but the match has been cancelled. Instead, they will play Madagascar on July 17th, and the Iranian FA is in negotiations to find other opponents before facing the Maldives over two legs on July 23 & 28. Should Iran overcome the Maldives, they will progress to the 3rd round, which is a group stage.
The Iranian FA have also appointed Alireza Mansourian as coach of their U-23 team. The former international midfielder is preparing the team for their Olympic qualification campaign. his assistants are Hadi Taladaba-i and Bijan Taheri. Mansourian replaces Golam Beyrouani, who left the position after Iran's elimination from last November's Asian Games. In Olympic qualifying, Iran will meet Iraq over two legs on 19 & 23 June, with the winner progress to the groupstage for the last 12 teams. Iran last qualified for the Olympics in 1976, where they made the 2nd round before losing 1-2 to the Soviet Union in Montreal.
Former Iranian forward Ali Karimi returned to the Bundesliga two weeks ago with Schalke 04. In his first game in the German league for 4 years, Karimi came on as a second-half substitute, replacing Edu in a loss to Kaiserslauten. Karirmi last played in Germany in June 2007 for Bayern Munich against Mainz 05, scoring his 3rd and final goal for the club in that match.
The Japanese Women's team are touring the US this month. Coach Norio Sazaki has named a 20-player squad, led by midfielder Homare Sawa, who has played in the US women's league. The tour is preparation for the FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany this July.
All sorts of fun and games in Thailand at the moment.
wolfman2011-05-18 04:10:21
After rumours from Bahraini media began circulating in late April, it finally was officially announced in the first week of May that Thailand are out of the Olympics. They fielded an ineligible player in their first-leg match Palestine in February, which Thailand won 1-0. Palestine won the return 1-0, before Thailand triumphed in a penalty shootout. The penalty for the ineligible player is to forfeit the match 0-3, and the tie 0-4 on aggregate. Palestine now face Bahrain in the 2nd round.
It's actually quite unfortunate, as the player concerned, Sucharit Chanthakul, picked up a suspension at the U-19 AFC Cup back in 2008, and the AFC said he hadn't served the ban since. He was unable to at age group level, as he was too old for the next U-19 edition, and this is the first Olympic qualifying since then. For some reason full internationals don't count, and the 2010 Asian Games (in which he was a non-playing sqaud member) and the 2009 SEA Games don't fall under the AFC umbrella. He'd received a 1-match suspension, and despite not playing an eligible match for 3 years (because there weren't any), the AFC have still punished him. An appeal to FIFA failed.
Days later, the FAT were due to have their Presidential elections. Incumbent Worawi Makudi has come under fire from fans after Thailand's poor international performances recently. The Olympic disqualification obviously doesn't reflect well on him either. Worawi has been in charge for two terms, the last unopposed. One opponent was to stand against him this time, Pichet Mankong, who had been chairman of Thai Port FC for the last two seasons. On the day, confusion reigned. Firstly, a third candidate stepped out of the shadows, promoted by Worawi's former mentor and predecessor in the top job. Then, one of the voting members was unable to attend as he had to go to hospital, but two men claiming to be his proxy showed up. In the end, Worawi stepped out to announce that the election would be postponed, until some time after the FIFA election in June, as he has to attend. The Sports Authority of Thailand (government ministry) was unimpressed, did some investigating, and now is threatening legal action, or to run the election themselves. They claim that Worawi's caretaker period, after he officially stepped down in December, should only last 90 days, making the original May election illegal. Secondly, he had no right to postpone the election without a full board meeting and approval. Thety also say that he doesn't have to be present, and his attending the FIFA Congress is no reason for delaying the FAT election.
May keeps getting better for Worawi, as Lord David Triesman has named him among a group of 4 FIFA officials who asked for bribes in return for supporting England's World Cup bid last year. In Worawi's case, it was television rights for a friendly match between England and Thailand in Bangkok this June. Of course, the friendly was cancelled by the English almost immediately after the ballot, as it appears Worawi voted for someone else (hint: Chelsea are coming instead)
And finally caught up
13-19 May
'Okazaki gets his first goal in the Bundesliga'
Japanese forward Shinji Okazaki has finally scored his first goal for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga , scoring in their 2-1 win over Hannover on May 7th. Obviously, this was an important goal for Okazaki, as it may lead to more first team opportunities next season. Okazaki moved to Stuttgart from J-League club Shimizu S-Pulse at the end of January, and had played 11 matches without scoring.
The 25-year old played at Hagigata Daini High School in from 2002 to 2004, before joining Shimizu in 2005. Between 2005 and 2010, he played 121 matches for the S-Pulse, scoring 42 goals. Although he signed for Stuttgart on January 30th, his debut was delayed, as Shimizu claimed non-payment of the transfer fee by Stuttgart. After FIFA intervened, Okazaki played his first match on February 17th in the Europa League vs Sporting Lisbon, and his first Bunesliga match was three days later against Bayer Leverkusen.
He was part of Japan's victorious Asian Cup 2011 squad, and scored a hat-trick in their 5-0 defeat of Saudi Arabia. He played in Japan's Olympic squad in 2007 & 2008, socring 1 goal in 14 appearances. For the senior national side, he has played 41 times, and has 21 international goals.
22-year old Japanese international midfielder Shinji Kagawa has returned to training with his teammates at Borussia Dortmund, after recovering from a broken bone in his right foot. He picked up the injury in Japan's Asian Cup semi-final win over South Korea in January, and hasn't played since. He is hopeful of playing a part in Dortmund's final league match against Eintracht Frankfurt (May 14th). With Borussia having already secured the league title, Kagawa has become the 3rd Japanese player to win the Bundesliga, after midfielder and current Japan captain Magoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg 2008-09), and Yashugo Ogudera (Cologne 1977-78).
J-League results from May 7th-8th:
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-1 Ventforet Kofu
Yokohama F Marinos 3-2 Awisba
Jubilo Iwata 4-0 Montedio Yamagata
Vissel Kobe 1-0 Kawasaki Frontale
Ardiya 0-0 Albirex
Nagoya Grampus 0-0 Shimuzu S-Pulse
Kashiwa Reysol 3-1 Urawa Reds
Cerezo Osaka 1-1 Vegalta Sendai
In the Chinese Super League, Gwangzhou Evergrande lead the table after defeating Shenzhen Ruby. Gwangzhou have 14 points from 6 matches. Hernan Construction drew 0-0 with Hangzhou Greentown to lie in 2nd with 13 points.
Other results:
Beijing Guoan 3-0 Chengdu Blades (Chengdu are coached by Lawrie McKinna, formerly of Central Coast)
Liaoneung Hwo-in 3-0 Dalian
Chingdao Jongneung 4-1 Nanchang Ba-i
May keeps getting better for Worawi, as Lord David Triesman has named him among a group of 4 FIFA officials who asked for bribes in return for supporting England's World Cup bid last year. In Worawi's case, it was television rights for a friendly match between England and Thailand in Bangkok this June. Of course, the friendly was cancelled by the English almost immediately after the ballot, as it appears Worawi voted for someone else (hint: Chelsea are coming instead)
That doesn't seem much compared with what others were asking for!
Possibly Chelski would be just as big a draw card as England (you'd still see some of the major t*ts of England in Chelski).
Coming up this weekend in the CSL there are some close matches between the top and middle teams:
Shandong (8th) vs Guangzhou (1st)
Liaoning (4th) vs Beijing (2nd)
Shanghai (5th) vs Tianjin (9th) - which should be a cracker.
广州队加油！
Edit: Actually that game was played last weekend and Shanghai won. They have a tough away trip to Shaanxi (6th) so all of these games will be important for all involved.
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
A weekend of draws that results in not much movement in the table.
1st up Shandong & Guangzhou go scoreless, then Changchun and Hangzhou (3rd place) share a goal each and finally Liaoning & Beijing decide that goals aren't needed either.
Small movement with Shaanxi beating Shanghai to draw level on points but with better GD jump to 5th place.
Tianjin also beat Jiangsu but who really cares about Tianjin anyway?
Edit: Should also add that Shenzhen move off the bottom with a 2-1 win over Nanchang. Not sure how Killen fared (but didn't get on the scoresheet).
Junior822011-05-22 23:05:36
1st up Shandong & Guangzhou go scoreless, then Changchun and Hangzhou (3rd place) share a goal each and finally Liaoning & Beijing decide that goals aren't needed either.
Small movement with Shaanxi beating Shanghai to draw level on points but with better GD jump to 5th place.
Tianjin also beat Jiangsu but who really cares about Tianjin anyway?
Edit: Should also add that Shenzhen move off the bottom with a 2-1 win over Nanchang. Not sure how Killen fared (but didn't get on the scoresheet).
Junior822011-05-22 23:05:36
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
Next weekend's matches look to be comfortable for Guangzhou (1st) and Beijing (2nd)* with both having home matches against mid/lower table teams.
Junior822011-05-24 12:38:19
The scrapping will be for 3rd and 4th place with Hangzhou (3rd) at home to Tianjin (7th) and Liaoning (4th) away to Qingdao (8th).
Also interesting will be the battle of the bottom Nanchang vs Henan.
* I like this as a natural order of things: Guangzhou>>>>Beijing
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
May keeps getting better for Worawi, as Lord David Triesman has named him among a group of 4 FIFA officials who asked for bribes in return for supporting England's World Cup bid last year. In Worawi's case, it was television rights for a friendly match between England and Thailand in Bangkok this June. Of course, the friendly was cancelled by the English almost immediately after the ballot, as it appears Worawi voted for someone else (hint: Chelsea are coming instead)
That doesn't seem much compared with what others were asking for!
Possibly Chelski would be just as big a draw card as England (you'd still see some of the major t*ts of England in Chelski).
TV rights may have been 'included' in his bribe, I'm not sure. Also, the FA and the FAT have been quite cosy in recent years. The FA helped Peter Reid become the Thailand national coach, and may have been paying part of his salary. When Reid returned to the UK to join Stoke, the FA played a part in getting Bryan Robson out here, although I don't think they're still helping with the salary.
The FAT election has been set for June 17th.
Army United in Thailand reported to be talking to agent about arranging a trial with former CCM (and Sheffield Utd) player, Nicky Travis
Those filthy Beijingers thrashed Shenzhen while Guangzhou could only draw with Changchun.
They know leapfrog to 1st with a two point gap to Guangzhou.
b#stard, b&gg%ry and b#ll#cks.
They know leapfrog to 1st with a two point gap to Guangzhou.
b#stard, b&gg%ry and b#ll#cks.
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
This weekend's matches in the CSL could/should result in Beijing pulling away from Guangzhou with a game against lowly Henan (although away), while Guangzhou has a tougher away match against Tianjin.
Shanghai could also pip Guangzhou to 2nd if they beat Jiangsu and with the home advantage this looks likely.
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
I'm about 3 columns behind, but I'll get round to them soon.
In the meantime, some news on the Kirin Cup, featuring Japan, Czech Rep. and Peru over the recent international break:
Also, the ACL and AFC Cup Quarterfinal draws were made yesterday.
wolfman2011-06-08 16:09:31
See here:http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=15159&PN=10
This weekend's CSL fixtures don't look good.
A fired up Beijing-on-a-roll travels to lowly Henan to likely bag all 3 pts while Guangzhou has a tough away game to Tianjin (please start Jiang Chen!). 3rd place Shanghai also starting to hit form and has a home game against Jiangsu - a local derby that will hopefully fire up the Jiangsu crowd.
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
It's a funny old game innit?
Junior822011-06-13 01:31:33
Beijing could only draw 1-1 with Henan who leaped to to 14th spot. Shanghai had to wait until the very end with spitter Riascos grabbing the winner in a 3-2 victory from Jiangsu who were 2-0 up at half-time.
Tianjin -Guangzhou playing now (0-0 after 30 mins). Hopefully a sneaky win to the Southerners and they will leapfrog into 1st again.
Edit: Guangzhou go top of the table with a 1-0 win away at Tianjin.
After 10 matches:
Guangzhou 22
Beijing 21
Shanghai 20
Liaoning 19
.
.
.
.
Henan 5
Shenzhen 5 (game in hand)
Nanchang 5
(Bottom 2 relegated, top 4 qualify for ACL)
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
Some vids of the important CSL games this weekend:
Junior822011-06-13 13:34:11
Shanghai 3 - 2 Jiangsu: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/M8LSh0CYHas/ a good solo goal by spitter Riascos at the end.
Henan 1 - 1 Beijing: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjc1Mjk1Njgw.html a dodgy penalty call to give Henan the draw and some crowd trouble at the away supporters end (caused by the locals)
Tianjin 0 - 1 Guangzhou: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa4Zb5O5Si8 I found the very last few seconds of this game on a feed last night. Might start watching now as the off-season is dragging on so much here.
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
Bryan Robson resigned last week. No reasons from the FAT, just the usual 'mutual agreement'. I think I saw an interview with Robbo that said 'family and health reasons'. (He had a operation to remove throat cancer a few months back)
With that, Worawi effective removed the campaign promises of an opposition candidate ("I'll fire the foreign coach and put a Thai in charge of the national team").
After 6 weeks to forget the sh*tstorm flying around Worawi's head in April/May, he won the FAT Presidential election comfortably yesterday, getting 123 of a possible 168 votes.
So has a new coach been tipped/named? Always pros & cons about the nationality of the National Team Coach.
China is in a serious re-building phase with quite a youthful team headed by a Chinese coach - first time for ages that this has happened. I think it is a good move although they didn't to very well in the Asian Cup. There is a new money man offering to bank roll the Chinese National Team but wants to get a foreign coach - which would be a BIG mistake unless there was lots of supporting staff to advise on cultural perspectives and man-management.
I suppose the question is does Thailand have a capable replacement?
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
So has a new coach been tipped/named? Always pros & cons about the nationality of the National Team Coach.
China is in a serious re-building phase with quite a youthful team headed by a Chinese coach - first time for ages that this has happened. I think it is a good move although they didn't to very well in the Asian Cup. There is a new money man offering to bank roll the Chinese National Team but wants to get a foreign coach - which would be a BIG mistake unless there was lots of supporting staff to advise on cultural perspectives and man-management.
I suppose the question is does Thailand have a capable replacement?
The Thai I would look at first (Attapon Busabakom) is currently in charge of the league leaders, Buriram PEA, and i can't see him being let go in a hurry. Buriram's other team, FC, have just picked up another decent Thai coach, Sasom Poprasert from Thai Port. Then there is Zico (Kiatisak Senamuang), who has had a few years to cut his teeth since retiring from playing in 2007. He's done well in Thailand, plus he had a season in Vietnam (not sure how that went). I think he'll be fast-tracked to the top job fairly soon. Probably not right now though.
Former coach Peter Withe's name has been mentioned in the media. He had the team in 1998-2002, and got decent results. Then went to Indonesia and got shafted by their FA. Not sure what he's done since.
Rumours floating around the expat TPL community centre of Henrique Calisto, currently in charge of Muang Thong Utd. MTU nicked him from the Vietnam national side at the beginning of the season. A Thai coach left Tampines in Singapore last week, after 7 years there, and was rumoured to be MTU bound. Suddenly he pops up at Samut Songkram, another Thai Prem club!
Never a dull moment here. (I blame the mid-season break and transfer window. Jesus wept, etc,..mods take control, etc...hang on, I am a mod here
)
)As for China, I think I wrote about China taking a long-term approach with it's coaches in one of these columns last year. I was quite impressed by the senior side at the Asian Cup, despite the overall result. They looked like a young team with a lot of potential.
wolfman2011-06-21 02:30:32Catch-up time again...
20-26 May
Maradona's New Challenge in the Middle East
This is so old, I'll keep it brief.
* Diego Maradona has signed a contract as manager of Al Wasel in the UAE. The club were 4th in the league when he took over on 16 May.
* Some J-League results from 14-15 May. Kashiwa Reysol led the league at that stage with 15 points from 6 games (5W, 1L).
* Some K-League results and Chinese League results from the same weekend.
* Jong Jo-guk scored his second goal with French club Auxerre in a 1-1 draw with Valenciennes on May 14. His first goal came when he scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Olympic Marseille on May 1. Jong moved from FC Seoul for 400,000 euros in January. Auxerre are presently 10th on the table with 9 wins 19 draws, and 8 losses this season.
wolfman2011-07-05 02:30:2627 May - 2 June
Park Ji-Sung's Successful Year
The celebrations at the end of the English Premier League season have begun, with Manchester United winning their 12th Premier League title, and 19th English championship overall. They have now won more League titles than any other club, beating Liverpool's total of 18. One of the most important players in United's campaign was South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung, the only Asian in the team. He was also the first Asian to win the Premier League with Man U, and this year was very successful for him.
This year, Park played in every competition that United took part in, scoring 5 goals and providing 8 assists (the most of any Korean in Europe). He played vital role in Manchester's qualifying for the UEFA Champions' League final (not played when this was written) on May 28th. If Park plays in the final, it will be the 2nd time he has played in the CL decider, although he's been part of 3 campaigns that have seen Man U make the final.
Park was also captain of the South Korean side that came 3rd in the Asian Cup, held in Qatar in January this year, before retiring at the end of the tournament, in order to concentrate on his club career as he enters his 30s.
Park has made a name for himself in Korea, a country where sports like basketball and baseball are usually more popular than football. His performances at PSV Eindhoven alongside compatriot Lee Young-Pyo, and followed by his progress in to the Premier League have helped put Asian football in the global spotlight. Whether or not he plays in the CL final against Barcelona, Park has been the most successful Asian footballer in Europe this season.
Close to England, there are two other Koreans internationals playing at Glasgow Celtic in the Scottish Premier League: Ki Seong-Yong, and Cha Du-Ri. The pair helped Celtic win the Scottish Cup, but they were runners-up to Glasgow Rangers in the league.
In Germany, there was more Asian success. Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa won the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, and compatriot Atsuto Ujida won the DFB Cup with Schalke 04.
Finally, (though not in Europe) Lee Young-Pyo of Korea won the Saudi League with Al Hilal.
Sepp Blatter has confirmed that Japan will host the World Club Cup after a brief inspection tour. the tournament will take place from 8-18 December.
Finally, a couple of English teams will be making their usual money-spinning tours of Asia in the off-season. Arsenal will play a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur on July 11th, and the go to China to face Hangzhou Greentown on July 16th. Liverpool will also tour Malaysia, China and South Korea in July (although I've since heard they've canned the Korean part in the wake of a match-fixing scandal in the K-League).
Chelsea are playing a Thai Premier League All-Star XI on July 24, as well as another match in either Malaysia or Singapore (not in the column, and I can't remember).
So has a new coach been tipped/named? Always pros & cons about the nationality of the National Team Coach.
Latest news/rumour: Winfried Schaefer (who coached Cameroon at the 2002 WC) apparently met FAT people yesterday for talks about the position. He's currently at Baku in Azerbaijan.
As for China, I think�I wrote�about China taking a long-term approach with it's coaches in one of these columns last year. I was quite impressed by the senior side at the Asian Cup, despite the overall result. They looked like a young team with a lot of potential.
Yes I remember you did. However this new money man is waving his RMB around trying to seduce the easily seducible CFA. First up by underpinning the salary of the national team coach and then some and lately by supporting the CSL.
So far the CFA are backing their man G** Hongbo. I hope they continue to do so.
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
Just over a third of the CSL season and it's a pretty tight league at the top:
Guangzhou 25
Beijing 22
Liaoning 22
Shanghai 20
Hangzhou 20
Shandong 18
Shaanxi 17
Tianjin 16
Qingdao 16
Changchun 13
Jiangsu 10
Dalian 10
Chengdu 10
Henan 6
Nanchang 5
Shenzhen 5
Guangzhou 25
Beijing 22
Liaoning 22
Shanghai 20
Hangzhou 20
Shandong 18
Shaanxi 17
Tianjin 16
Qingdao 16
Changchun 13
Jiangsu 10
Dalian 10
Chengdu 10
Henan 6
Nanchang 5
Shenzhen 5
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
Shenzhen take on Henan this Sunday @ 7:30 pm NZT.
I might see if I can find a stream and see if Killen gets a run on and can double his goal tally (from 1) this season.
BIG match is Beijing vs Tianjin local derby etc.
"Phoenix till they lose"
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China is out of the Olympics losing 0-1 to Oman at home and then 1-3 away.
The coach Miroslav Blazevic must be for the chop.
The coach Miroslav Blazevic must be for the chop.
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Wow. Killen scores twice to give Shenzhen a valuable 2-1 win over Henan.
Brings his tally up to 3 for the season and Shenzhen jump from bottom to third from bottom.
Edit: Here are the highlights. Killen's goals @ 1:14 and 2:09
second one a bit marginal but great placement. Henan's goal rather amusing in the aftermath.
Junior822011-06-26 23:32:46
Brings his tally up to 3 for the season and Shenzhen jump from bottom to third from bottom.
Edit: Here are the highlights. Killen's goals @ 1:14 and 2:09
second one a bit marginal but great placement. Henan's goal rather amusing in the aftermath.
Junior822011-06-26 23:32:46
"Phoenix till they lose"
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Time to crash but in the big Beijing-Tianjin derby, Tianjin have gone 1-0 up after 21 minutes c/o Yu Dabao (one of the guys that gave us a hard time at Wuhan earlier this year).
Also Shanghai leading 2-1 at Dalian - could pip Beijing for 2nd place if they win and the green guys lose.
Guangzhou have been going for 15 minutes (half an hour later than the rest) - no score yet against Jiangsu but they should be too strong at home.
?????
Junior822011-06-27 00:17:38
Also Shanghai leading 2-1 at Dalian - could pip Beijing for 2nd place if they win and the green guys lose.
Guangzhou have been going for 15 minutes (half an hour later than the rest) - no score yet against Jiangsu but they should be too strong at home.
?????
Junior822011-06-27 00:17:38
"Phoenix till they lose"
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In the end Beijing salvaged a draw with Tianjin 1-1 and cling on to 2nd place by goal difference from Shanghai (no change to the score vs Dalian).
Guangzhou pull away with a 5pt gap after beating Jiangsu 2-1 (Bruce Djite scoring a penalty for Jiangsu).
Shenzhen must be happy to be above the drop zone for the first time this season.
"Phoenix till they lose"
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This weekends matches:
Changchun Yatai vs Liaoning Hongyun
Shaanxi Chanba vs Beijing Guoan Can Guoan break their streak of draws?
Chengdu Blades vs Henan Jianye Will Flores arrive in time to stop another loss for Henan?
Shandong Luneng vs Shenzhen Ruby Killen on 3 goals, hopefully add more and nick a point (hah!)
Tianjin Teda vs Qingdao Jonoon
Hangzhou Lucheng vs Guangzhou Can Hangzhou stop the Guangzhou juggernaut?
Jiangsu Shuntian vs Dalian Shide
Shanghai Shenhua vs Nanchang Bayi A chance for Shenhua to leapfrog Guoan.
Changchun Yatai vs Liaoning Hongyun
Shaanxi Chanba vs Beijing Guoan Can Guoan break their streak of draws?
Chengdu Blades vs Henan Jianye Will Flores arrive in time to stop another loss for Henan?
Shandong Luneng vs Shenzhen Ruby Killen on 3 goals, hopefully add more and nick a point (hah!)
Tianjin Teda vs Qingdao Jonoon
Hangzhou Lucheng vs Guangzhou Can Hangzhou stop the Guangzhou juggernaut?
Jiangsu Shuntian vs Dalian Shide
Shanghai Shenhua vs Nanchang Bayi A chance for Shenhua to leapfrog Guoan.
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Changchun Yatai 0 - 0 Liaoning Hongyun
Shaanxi Chanba 1 -1 Beijing Guoan Can Guoan break their streak of draws? NO!!
Chengdu 0 - 2 Henan
Shandong 2 - 0 Shenzhen
Tianjin 1 - 1 Qingdao
Hangzhou 1 - 3 Guangzhou GZ now opens up a 7 pt gap between them and Beijing
Shanghai 0 - 1 Nanchang Big upset here
Jiangsu 0 - 0 Dalian
Junior822011-07-03 09:42:37
Shaanxi Chanba 1 -1 Beijing Guoan Can Guoan break their streak of draws? NO!!
Chengdu 0 - 2 Henan
Shandong 2 - 0 Shenzhen
Tianjin 1 - 1 Qingdao
Hangzhou 1 - 3 Guangzhou GZ now opens up a 7 pt gap between them and Beijing
Shanghai 0 - 1 Nanchang Big upset here
Jiangsu 0 - 0 Dalian
Junior822011-07-03 09:42:37
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All the CSL highlights for round 13 are here. Just click on the first link for each match (the others are the individual goals/highlights).
Two cracking goals from Guangzhou's Cleo and G�o L�n (very Nick Ward-esque)
Junior822011-07-03 15:07:27
Two cracking goals from Guangzhou's Cleo and G�o L�n (very Nick Ward-esque)
Junior822011-07-03 15:07:27
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Team
MP
W
D
L
F
A
GD
P
1
Guangzhou Hengda
13
9
4
0
21
8
13
31
2
Beijing Guoan
13
6
6
1
24
9
15
24
3
Shandong Luneng
13
7
3
3
16
10
6
24
4
Liaoning Hongyun
13
7
2
4
19
9
10
23
5
Shanghai Shenhua
13
7
2
4
19
13
6
23
6
Hangzhou Lucheng
13
6
3
4
15
12
3
21
7
Shaanxi Chanba
13
6
3
4
17
15
2
21
8
Tianjin Teda
13
4
6
3
17
15
2
18
9
Qingdao Jonoon
13
4
5
4
15
14
1
17
10
Changchun Yatai
13
3
8
2
12
11
1
17
11
Jiangsu Shuntian
12
4
1
7
12
13
-1
13
12
Chengdu Blades
13
2
5
6
8
20
-12
11
13
Dalian Shide
13
2
4
7
8
22
-14
10
14
Henan Jianye
13
1
6
6
10
15
-5
9
15
Nanchang Bayi
13
2
2
9
9
21
-12
8
16
Shenzhen Ruby
12
2
2
8
7
22
-15
8
Hangzhou Lucheng
Nanchang Bayi
Jiangsu Shuntian
Beijing Guoan
Shanghai Shenhua
Qingdao Jonoon
Shaanxi Chanba
Liaoning Hongyun
Tianjin Teda
Shenzhen Ruby
Changchun Yatai
Henan Jianye
Shandong Luneng
Guangzhou
Chengdu Blades
Junior822011-07-04 23:19:59
Midweek games:
Dalian Shide
Guangzhou spends big: http://www.soccerway.com/news/2011/July/03/midfielder-sets-chinese-transfer-record/
Henan gets Flores, Guangzhou gets Conca, but will have to unload one foreign player from forwards Cleo, Muriqui or midfielders Caja or Cho (probably way out of our pay range).
"Phoenix till they lose"
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