2/16/2006
FIFA.com

With the opening of the winter transfer market last month, more Asian footballers have flocked to the green fields of Europe to earn a living. No longer a solitary one or two, promises from the East are proving their ability in leagues from Turkey to Holland. In part two, FIFA.com examines how Iranian players have taken to Germany, while England's sporting coliseums have recently tempted Korea Republic's best.
Europe's Asian invasion quickens

The world's leading international goalscorer Ali Daei was the player who made Iranian footballers fashionable in Germany. The tall, gangly striker signed for Arminia Bielefeld in 1997 before moving to Bayern Munich and then Hertha BSC Berlin.

In his wake and backed by thousands of supporters of Iranian descent have come Mehdi Mahdavikia, Vahid Hashemian, Moharram Navidkia and Ali Karimi. Mahdavikia, AFC Player of the Year in 2003, has perhaps made the biggest impression up to now. The stocky right-sided performer signed for Hamburg from Bochum in 1999 and is the club's longest serving player. He topped the Bundesliga assists in the 2002/3 season and consistently gets among the goals.

Hashemian, the Helicopter, has had more of an up and down introduction to German football. His 16 goals helped Bochum to fifth place in 2004 and himself to a two million euro transfer to Bayern. But lack of first-team opportunities forced the 29-year-old forward to seek pastures new and at Hannover 96, reunited with former Bochum boss Peter Neururer, Hashemian is again flying high.

Ali, a true champion

Bochum's latest Iranian Navidkia, however, will spend the rest of the season at his former club Sepahan, where he was voted Iran's player of the year in 2003. The young midfielder did well early on for the Bundesliga 2 side but has struggled for fitness of late after recovering from a long-term injury.

Karimi, AFC Player of the Year in 2004, has been impressive since joining Bayern last year. The skilful attacking midfielder, described by supporters as the Asian Maradona and generally considered to be the nation's hottest prospect, has slotted into the Bayern system well, producing dribbles at speed, creating chances for others and showing an eye for goal.

Without needing to acclimatise, German-born midfielder Fereydoon Zandi is another Iranian international making headlines in the Bundesliga. While Kaiserslautern are not having the best of times, the 26-year-old is gaining valuable experience ahead of this year's FIFA World Cupâ„¢.

All in all, Team Melli coach Branko Ivankovic is purring at the prospect of watching his Bundesliga quintet perform in their adopted home at the World Cup: "I'm very content with the players from Germany. Their Bundesliga experience is important because it helps us to win."

And the Germanic influence does not end there. Mehdi Pashazadeh may no longer be a part of Ivankovic's plans but the central defender continues to win praise in Austria after signing for Nordea Admira from Rapid Vienna. The 32-year-old has joined another Iranian, Mohsen Faraji, at the club who are currently bottom of Austria's top league.

One defender in Ivankovic's favour is Rahman Rezaei. Now in his third season with Sicilian Serie A side Messina, the powerful 30-year-old, who previously spent two years at Perugia, is certainly enjoying life in Italy's top flight.

Koreans fighting just fine

While German soil stands up well to Iranian feet, Korea Republic's top players are finding the lush grass of England a perfect platform. Following their outstanding performances in the semi-final run of Guus Hiddink's PSV Eindhoven during last season's UEFA Champions League campaign, forward Park Ji-sung and left-back Lee Young-pyo, are now gracing the Premiership's pitches at Old Trafford and White Hart Lane. Lee has quickly gained a starting berth for a resurgent Spurs, while Park has proven equal to the challenge of playing for Manchester United under the orders of Alex Ferguson and in the company of a host of big name players.

Down a division, Seol Ki-hyun has quickly established himself as a favourite at Wolverhampton Wanderers since his move from Anderlecht last season. The 27-year-old forward, so impressive at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, is hoping his goals can push the famous Midlands side back into the top flight.
The helter-skelter English game appears to suit players from the Far East. Along with the Japanese contingent, China's Everton midfielder Li Tie and Manchester City's Sun Jihai have shone when free from injury.

In mainland Europe, however, Koreans have had more of a mixed time. Following in the footsteps of his father Cha Bum-Keun, Cha Doo-Ri is regularly sporting the colours of Eintracht Frankfurt but Ahn Jung-hwan, who suffered a turbulent time at Perugia before Korea/Japan 2002, has quickly moved on to Duisberg in Germany after a short stint with Metz in France.

The very latest Korean player to move to Europe is defender Lee Ho-jin, who signed a three-year contract with Racing Santander in Spain's Primera Division. The 22-year-old will be hoping to make more of an impact than talented striker Lee Chun-soo, who had uneventful spells with Real Sociedad and Numancia.

Seeing better days are veteran midfielder Seo Jung-won, whose goals have contributed to modest SV Ried's mid-table position in the Austrian league, and defender Lee Eul-yong, enjoying his second spell with Trabsonspor in the Turkish Super League.

Other Korean performers in Europe include forward Kim Dong-hyun at Sporting De Braga in Portugal, defender Cha Ji-ho at Kongsvinger in Norway, midfielder Kang Jin-wook at Metz, Lee San at Sheffield United in England, Hyun Young-min at FC Zenit in Russia and Yeo Dong-won, who has been loaned out by Partizan Belgrade to FK Teleoptik in Serbia & Montenegro's second division.

Should Iran and Korea Republic perform well at Germany 2006, expect a far greater rising from the East.

For the first part of this report click here.