Rise of Asian countries Saudi Arabia and Japan in the FIFA World Cup signals how hard they have worked
Follow Us
Saudi Arabia and Japan players celebrating after their respective wins at the FIFA World Cup
If Qatar is the desert hosting the FIFA World Cup, then the performances from Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been as tasty as dessert. For billions of football fans who had envisaged this quadrennial extravaganza to be all about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, they almost forgot this is a team sport. Results in the last few days have been mind-blowing.
First things first, dramatis personae and superstars alone do not control a football match, alone. What counts is the team winning, or losing. For its collective might, a reputation built over years, and an assortment of World Cup trophies (Jules Rimet) won, both Argentina and Germany were shaken and stirred. The end product was, froth-rising, with an Asian flavor. Yes, the Saudis and Japan showed that style from Asia was indeed potent and could do damage.
Football is a kind of hangover, for many. The Europeans think they own the game. So do the Latin American teams. It is as if none else can play the beautiful game which is kicking a ball anywhere and everywhere. Just imagine, there was a national holiday in Saudi Arabia, as the rich Sheikhs thought beating Argentina was a big deal. Yes, it was. It called for a celebration that one usually witnesses at the time of Eid.
Well, this was a time for festivity as the Saudi side showed a superb goalkeeper Alowais and the alert defense could frustrate their rivals (Argentina), who were riding high on an artificial wave. Wednesday was no different as the men from the Land Of The Rising Sun — Japan — came from behind to pip Germany 2-1. The victory margin was similar. If Saleh Alshehri and Salem Aldawsari slammed goals for Saudi Arabia, Japan found its heroes in their subs — Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano.
Saudi Arabia and Japan have prepared well for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar
Surely, these two results have brought Asia into focus, though, geographically, Saudi Arabia is very different, tending more towards the Middle East. For technical reasons, though, the oil-rich country is in Asia and does get to compete in the Asian Games. Some football pundits have been talking about whether being a factor that has not helped in better acclimatization for teams from the European region. Indeed, for Japan and Saudi Arabia, getting used to humidity is high. What people are forgetting is the stadia are temperature controlled, thanks to an air conditioning system that works through giant solar panels.
One really cannot blame the weather and so on for failures. Way back, in 2002, when Japan hosted the World Cup, there was a bit of pessimism from the Western media. Two decades hence, for Japan to turn in a professional performance is highly creditable. They looked on the back foot, so to say, against Germany. Yet, when that burst came in the form of two goals, it was like a tidal wave. It showed that almost four or five players from Japan playing in the German football league (Bundesliga and lower leagues) was giving them an edge.
After the match, the fired-up Japanese players talked of playing like a team, self-belief, and a great team environment. “I believe it’s a historic moment, a historic victory. If I think about the development of Japanese soccer, thinking of players, for them this was a big surprise,” said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu.
He had five Germany-based players in his starting line-up and three, including the scorers, on the bench. The message is clear, Japan has prepared for the World Cup, and playing against a side whose style they know, did help. For those not too familiar, football in Japan is very big. That they had to suffer for two years due to the Covid pandemic is well known. Still, they went ahead and held the Tokyo Olympics last year in a Bio Bubble which was a marvel of sorts.
The J-League has been in existence back home in Japan for years. It may not be as glamorous as the leagues in Europe, but it certainly does provide a competitive environment. Viewed financially, the J-League has a combined valuation of Euros 287 million for all its teams. Likewise, S-League, the football league in Singapore, is also very famous among the locals. These leagues are rich in flavor and offer a chance to groom talent. Who knows, one day Singapore will also rise.
Then again, the rise of Saudi football is not a surprise. They are tough athletes and have the much-needed exposure, first starting with their sturdy league at home. It may surprise you, but the Saudi league has been in existence for four decades! To be sure, each team that made the final 32 to Qatar came through hard qualifiers, where a team like Italy fell by the wayside. Nothing should surprise you in this World Cup, perhaps, this is just the beginning. How can any talk of Asia and not mention India? Sadly, India is nowhere in football. Indian football is pedestrian. There is an ISL in India and I-league and so on, but the quality is very poor. Foreign coaches have come and gone, each earning around $ 8,000 per month. With a recent change in administration as well in the All India Football Federation, we are made to believe Indian football will do well.
Truth to tell, this is make-believe. Even among SAARC (South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation) countries, India figures very poorly. The club structure sucks, and the local leagues are shoddy. If you go to Bengal, they will still talk of old glory when legends like PK Banerjee and Chuni Goswami did well in the Asian Games. You can drool over Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri. Overall, for Indian football to do well in the AFC Cup seems nightmarish. For all those hallucinating that one day India will do well, a reality check is needed. Let’s celebrate teams from Asia like Japan and Saudi Arabia. Indians are good cheerleaders. Period!
Also Read: David Beckham involved consortium is interested in buying Manchester United: Reports
Stay Updated!
S Kannan
(382 Articles Published)