World Cup 2002 at Korea & Japan has given fresh impetus to Asian football. South Korea created history by reaching to the semi-finals of World Cup 2002 and it was the first time that any Asian country gone so far. The last major achievement of any Asian country in the World Cup was of North Korea reaching the quarterfinals in the 1966 World Cup at England. Japan too performed well and reached the second round of World Cup 2002 for the first time and in only their second appearance in the World Cups. Both Korea and Japan performed exceptionally well considering their past records and caught the attention of the world with their style of football. Now Korea and Japan are the motivational force to other Asian countries in developing their own football. Before the 2002 World Cup all the Asian countries were considered as minnows in the world football stage. Certainly that notion has changed for a few Asian countries. Asian Football Confederation very seriously wants to see all the Asian countries develop their football status and to realize that dream the Asian Football Confederation organised a conference on Asian football in the month of January 2003 at Kaula Lumpur. All the 45 affiliated units of AFC participated in the conference. AFC President, Mohamed bin Hammam presented the Vision Asia master plan for the development of Asian football. Vision Asia master plan comprises of programmes and plans to develop all the aspect of football in the region with a professional approach and management. All the 45 affiliated unit members have agreed to implement Vision Asia programme in their respective countries. It is the major step forward by the AFC in promoting the game and everyone is optimistic that Asian Football Confederation's Vision Asia master plan will work to Asia's benefit.
China having the highest population in the world and being one of the leading countries of Asia has everyone believing that China has an enormous potential to reach the world standard in football. In their maiden entry to the World Cup in 2002 China did not produce any significant result but reaching to that stage itself is creditable for China. In the 2002 World Cup China was convincingly beaten by Brazil 4 - 0 but in the recent friendly at home against Brazil the result was surprising for everyone. China drew with Brazil and that has definitely lifted the moral and confidence of China because it was playing the full strength team of Brazil. China has a great fan following for football and if Chinese football association is able to spread the game with proper structure and management then China will be a power in Asia. Already the Chinese women's team is one of the best in world and why can't the men catch up to them? Let's wait and see how China dominates the Asian scene in the coming years.
Asian football stars are at present finding openings in the European clubs and leagues. This development itself shows how the Asian players are progressing. At present many Asian players are playing for different clubs of Europe and their numbers are increasing day by day. Players from Japan, South Korea and China are at present representing the Asian flavor in different European clubs. Hidetoshi Nakata (Japan) playing for Parma in the Italian league is the leading figure amongst them all. Other leading players figuring in European leagues from Asia are Shinji Ono (Feyenoord), Junichi Inamoto (Fulham), Chong-Gug (Feyernoord), Kim Nam-II (Excelsior), Park JI-Sung (PSV Eindhoven), Sun Jihai (Manchester City), Li Tie (Everton) and Shao Jiayi (1860 Munich). It is good to see that most of them get into the first eleven in their respective clubs. If the same trend continues then the days are not far away when we will be able to see more Asians in all the major leagues of the world. Competing with the best in Europe will certainly help to improve the standard of football in Asia.
Japan, South Korea and China has progressed in the last few years due to their youth development programme and start of professional leagues in their respective countries. Korea was the first to start the league in the year 1982 and it was only in the 90's that Japan and China have started professional leagues to take their football into new heights. In Japan the J-league has been a success and management of the league is very professional but in China the league is not as well managed as it should be. Start of professional leagues has attracted fans to football in these countries and the few good imports from Europe and South America have always created a major hype for the game. Other Asian countries must learn from Japan in promoting football because they have developed an excellent structure for football development.
In Arab countries of Asia, football is the number one sport and has a big budget compared to other Asian countries but so far Arab countries have failed to organise the structure of football in professional lines. If a proper professional structure is placed in these countries and the football budget is properly managed then the Arab countries will certainly climb to the world standard in football. Arab countries need to start professional leagues, concentrate on youth and infrastructure development and make judicious investments of money in various football projects. Above all they need to work with a long-term plan one that is missing in these countries. They are very impatient of the slightest setbacks.
More than 15 foreign coaches are heading different Asian countries and that is also a positive sign for the development of football in Asia. Guus Hiddink, the former South Korean coach made Asians proud by his successful tenure with South Korea and by his coaching style and philosophy he has given fresh life to Asian football and now Asian football players have started believing in their abilities more than ever before. After Troussier's resignation Zico was handed the job of Japan and he is a very much inspirational figure in Japan. China, India, Thailand, Malaysia, some Middle Eastern, and many other countries and clubs of Asia also have foreign coaches.
FIFA has handed over the organisation of the FIFA World Youth Championship to United Arab Emirates (taking place in March and April of this year). That in itself is a major achievement for an Asian country. It is the second most important FIFA tournament after the FIFA World Cup. Five Asian countries have qualified for this event and it will be an appropriate stage for Asian countries to show their future to the world. Most of the big clubs around the world send their scouts to spot talents for their respective clubs and Asian players will not get a better opportunity than this to show their potential to the world. Dreams of playing for European clubs will become a reality for many up coming Asian players through the FIFA World Youth Championship at UAE. Asia will be able to witness the FA Premier League Asia Cup at Kaula Lumpur in July of 2003. The English FA has done a great service to Asian football by sanctioning this event in Asia. In this cup Newcastle United, Chelsea, Birmingham, and the Malaysian national team will participate. It will be a major attraction for all Asians. Events of this stature will definitely help in promoting the game further.
The above mentioned developments clearly indicate that Asian football is on the rise and in the coming years Asian football will get capture the attention of the world.