AFC players in the A-League 2009/10

The 2009/10 season of the A-League will feature more players from fellow AFC nations than any season before. The reasons for the shift in recruitment focus from the lower leagues of England and Brazil to Asia are probably three-fold:

1. Australian clubs realising the need to become more integrated into the AFC. In the case of qualification for the AFC Champions League, signing an AFC player gives a club an extra foreign player in light of the 3+1 foreign player rule.
2. Australian clubs beginning to recognise and embrace the technical qualities of players from fellow AFC nations.
3. The growing credibility of the A-League as not only a decent league to play football in, but also as a viable gateway to a possible European move.

Also, while I don't think marketing and dollars plays a large part in persuading a club to sign an AFC player, signing an AFC player undoubtedly gives any A-League club a little more exposure in Asia. It also gives an A-League club a positive image as a welcome place for AFC players to play.

This year, six players from four AFC nations will line up in the A-League. They are:

Byun Sung-Hwan (Sydney FC, 1 game 0 goals)
Previous Club: Jeju United (Republic of Korea)
Position: Left Back

Byun is a 29-year old left back joining Vitezslav Lavicka's foreign legion at Sydney FC. He has been capped for the Korean national team twice and is signed to a two-year deal at Sydney. Made his debut and played the full 90 minutes against North Queensland on August 8. He looks a handy inclusion into the squad.

Jiang Chen (Wellington, 0 games 0 goals)
Previous Club: Tianjin Teda (China)
Position: Striker

Chen trialled with Wellington during their pre-season tour of China. He seemingly impressed enough to be offered a one-year loan deal. Chen did not feature in Wellington's Round 1 clash with Newcastle and it will be interesting to see how much game time he will get with Chris Greenacre, Paul Ifill, and Costa Barbarouses all offering striking options.

Kojiro Kaimoto (North Queensland, 1 game 0 goals)
Previous Club: Bonnyrigg (Australia), Tokyo Verdy (Japan)
Position: Right Back

Kaimoto was signed by North Queensland from NSWPL outfit Bonnyrigg on a short-term loan deal. The 31-year old is something of a journeyman in Asian football, having turned out for Gamba Osaka, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, Nagoya Grampus, Albirex Niigata, and Tokyo Verdy during his career. Kaimoto somewhat surprisingly played the full 90 minutes of North Queensland's first ever A-League match against Sydney FC. The first Japanese player in the A-League since season two, Kaimoto looks competent at A-League level and might be looking to secure a full A-League contract.

Shin In-Seob (Adelaide United, 0 games 0 goals)
Previous Club: Konkuk University (Republic of Korea)
Position: Attacking Midfielder

Shin is a dynamic 20-year old midfielder recruited straight from the Korean university league. He failed to play in Adelaide's opening weekend win over Perth due to his international clearance not coming through in time. He is untried at professional level although according to Adelaide United coach Aurelio Vidmar, "if he didn't come here he would probably have been chosen in the K-League somewhere." Shin's interest in playing in Australia was sparked by seeing Adelaide play in the AFC Champions League. Set to line up against Sydney FC in Round 2, Shin could well prove to be an astute get by the Reds.

Song Jin-Hyung (Newcastle, 22 games 1 goal)
Previous Club: FC Seoul (Republic of Korea)
Position: Attacking Midfielder

Song is another young Korean to watch in this season's A-League. Song disappointly missed most of Newcastle's AFC Champions League campaign through injury but will resume his midfield role this season with the Jets. Always energetic and looking to take players on, Song memorably nutmegged Melbourne's Matthew Kemp in the 2008/09 season. Probably needs to step his game up a bit this season.



Surat Sukha (Melbourne Victory, 0 games 0 goals)
Previous Club: Chonburi FC (Thailand)
Position: Full Back/Defensive Midfielder

Included in Melbourne's matchday squad for the Round 2 clash against Brisbane, Sukha will be hoping to make his A-League debut. Sukha has been capped 14 times by the Thai national team and actually played against Melbourne alongside fellow Melbourne recruit Ney Fabiano during Chonburi's 2008 AFC Champions League campaign. The first player from an ASEAN nation in top flight Australian football, Sukha will be hoping for a stellar season although Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick may prefer other defensive options.