Top 5 Asian footballers for the future

Asian Football received a huge boost recently with the Japanese side winning the Women’s World Cup. This was the first time in the history of the game that an Asian side won a major international silverware . Asian football as well as the players have been trying to bridge the gap between them and their European counterparts for the last two decades or so. Players from Asia are being signed by the big powerhouses of club football nowadays. With Australia now a part of AFC, the number of players representing Asia has increased considerably.

Players like Hidetoshi Nakata , Nakamura , Mahadivikia have paved the way for Asian resurgence on the European circuit. Players like Park Ji Sung , Park Chu –Young , Keisuke Honda and Tim Cahill are regular starters in Europe. The future of Asian football looks secured with a barrage of youngsters looking to shine at club level.

Here is a list of players who may make us Asians proud someday, in the near future.

Ji Dong Won

5. Ji Dong Won – The lanky South Korean striker has just turned 20 and his scintillating performances for years in his domestic league, propelled him to sign with the English side Reading. He sealed his move to England permanently only after signing for Steve Bruce’s Sunderland for what maybe a bargain prize of 2 million.

Ji Dong is known for his physicality and toughness, the player seems like tailor made for the English game. Having already played for the South Korean national squad, the player is rated very highly and may emulate his compatriot Park Ji Sung by winning accolades from the English people.

Thomas Oar :Stand back for the no. 121

4. Tommy Oar – He is said to be the next big thing from the Kangaroo nation, the 19 year old Aussie lad is thought to be the successor of the legendary Harry Kewell by many. The left footed winger ,who operates with great pace down the wings can be a real handful for the defenders. Plus his crossing ability made the fans draw comparisons with Harry Kewell, but his fans will can only hope that he does not succumb to injuries like his countrymen, that once marred most of Kewells career.The timid looking teenager was snapped by the Dutch side FC Utrecht last year. Oar has already played for the national squad as well as at the Europa League level for his club, against sides such as Liverpool. Oar once famously wore a 121 numbered jersey in a match perhaps signaling his intent to be non conventional footballer or it was just a blunder by his back room staff.

Takashi Usami :Bayern's Boy wonder

3. Takashi Usami- The Japanese starlet who is known for his liveliness on the ball, was ultimately signed by Bayern Munich in a loan deal from Gamba Osaka, that will keep him at Allianz Arena for a year. Usami can operate in the hole, behind the striker and as well as on both the wings. Still 19, the player has a long way to go but has already impressed his new team mates with his technical soundness during the pre season.

With the Bayern skipper Phillip Lahm showering praises for the Samurai Blue’s wonder kid, the future surely looks brighter for the Japanese international. With both Robben and Ribery highly prone to injuries, Usami will surely get an ample number of opportunities to prove himself at Bayern and make his stay permanent.

Miyaichi: RYODINHO?

2. Ryo Miyaichi – The Japanese 18 year old has been a revelation as soon as he was snapped up by the English giants Arsenal last winter, after a successful trial. Due to some work permit issues, the young winger had to be loaned to the Dutch Giants Feyernood where he excelled, by giving a man of the match performance on his debut and becoming one of the favorites in very less time. Known for his abundance of pace as well as various tricks and flicks the player has been touted by many as the next Cristiano Ronaldo. Though the comparison may be a bit far fetched but the talent is just too obvious.

The player has been training with the Arsenal first team this pre season but work permit issues may provide some hindrance to his dream to play for the gunners. Arsenal Chief Arsene Wenger has already shown his keenness to work with the young lad and make him part of his young brigade by getting a special work permit for the youngster.

Kagawa: the next big thing

1. Shinji Kagawa – One of the finds of the season last year for the German Bundesliga winners Dortmund, bought for a paltry fee of 300 thousand Euros from Cerezo Osaka, the player has been a revelation at the club. Kagawa has been most proficient while operating behind the striker in a five men midfield. He has already notched up 8 goals playing for the German club. The figure could have been higher had he not succumbed to a Metatarsal injury, which sidelined him for 4-5 months. It is for sure that he will be the mainstay in the team ,particularly after their midfield talisman Nuri Sahin departed this summer for Madrid .Other notable mentions –

nagamoto

Yuto Nagamoto – The left back had a great loan spell at Inter last season, playing in the elite champions league. Now he made his move permanent, from his previous club Cesena. Aged 25, the player can not be termed as the future but rather the present. he was a key element in the Japanese squad that lifted the Asian Cup this year.

Uchida

Atsuto Uchida – The 23 year old Schalke 04 right back had a successful first season with the Germans that saw them reach the semi final of UEFA champions’ league and thus becoming first the Japanese to do so. Part of the Japanese squad that won Asian cup he had a key role to play alongside Nagamoto, who with their overlapping runs helped them sail past the mighty Aussies .

Ki sung yueng:how do you like them apples …err..bananas?

Ki Sung-Yueng –The lanky South Korean 22 year old who has been playing for Scottish giants Celtic for the last two years has all the qualities to make him the a midfield maestero – great long range shot , nice physique ,technique and great passing ability. He Created a furor for a racist goal celebration playing for his country perhaps it was just a bit of youthful exuberance and nothing serious to be worried about.