Many believe that Asia still lags behind other continents when it comes to football. Having players in premier leagues is not enough to increase the quality of the sports in the region. Asian football was unable to get its jumpstart despite the recent efforts of a few Asian countries in the major tournaments.
In recent years, Asia has a poor record in international football competitions. People would not dare to compare the quality of Asian football to its Western counterparts. Asian countries have always been successful in different sports but not in the case of football.
There are loads of factors that contribute to the current state of the sport in Asia. Yet, you have to look back to understand how the past shaped the entirety of football in the region.
History of Asian Football
The Brits gets the credit for creating modern football. However, there are debates on its real origin. FIFA stated that there are early records dating back to 3 BC that ties football to ancient China.
China’s Earliest Version of Football
An ancient game called Cuju has a gameplay strikingly similar to modern-day football. It requires a player to kick a leather ball between a couple of goal posts. This game not only survived but also flourished several dynasties long.
It was during the Ming dynasty when Cuju lost its cultural importance. The Hongwu Emperor even banned it because of the distraction it created. He even punished offenders by cutting off one foot from those who played the game. Thus, the game faded away.
Western Colonization in Asia
When Western superpowers began invading the East, it marked the introduction of football to Asian countries. As a result, it caused the formation of local football clubs. This also cued in the birth of organized football in the continent.
Asian Football Associations
Soon after, many football clubs began to emerge and paved the way for the creation of the Calcutta Football Club in India. This was the very first football association in the Asian region.
Eventually, some countries formed their own organizations as well. They started implementing standard rules and regulations in tournaments. International football partnerships were established in Asia.
The sport became increasingly popular as organizers held different competitions. These include Far Eastern Championship Games, Asian Games, and the Asian Cup. These leagues provided a stage for football games within the Eastern part of the world.
Asian Teams in the International Stage
Despite a below par performance, few Asian countries have achieved international success. South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Qatar became the top teams in recent years. The highest Asian achievement in the FIFA World Cup so far was when South Korea finished 4th in 2002.
Cultivation of Football in Asia
Nowadays, Asian countries began seeking accomplishment in various competitions. More teams from different countries now join regional leagues. This progress became a strong driving force to invest more in advancing the sport locally.
Efforts to create youth academies and world-class venues are already underway in Asian countries. They know that sports academies will greatly help in discovering young talents. These academies can be instruments in achieving the number one status in football someday.
State-of-the-art stadiums can strengthen any bid in hosting events like the World Cup. Furthermore, this will bring in a lot of economic advantages to host countries. Therefore, a big opportunity to further empower football in Asia is at stake.
Globalization of Football
Asia has the largest football fan base with approximately 800 million sports fans as a result of massive television coverage of football leagues. Another factor that adds to the huge number of fans is the popularity of international players. The Asian bookmakers list is now flourishing because many online bettors are eager to place bets.
In recent years, several Asian players piqued the interest of international teams as they managed to hit it big in major leagues. Son Heung-min and Takumi Minamino are among the best Asian players right now.
So, Where Did Asia Go Wrong?
With everything seems to be working well, Asian football still has a long way to go. Here are some of the reasons.
A Ray of Hope For Asia
The history of Asian football is an arduous but great journey, but it is not yet over. Asia has the chance of making huge strides soon. Asian leagues and teams have already attracted several prime players and coaches. Having them can certainly help the region become a football powerhouse. All of this when the time is right.
