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We've seen many Asian players starting to get more attention from European teams, giving more exposure to them. It is not a big risk taking up an Asian player anymore compared to 5 years ago.
Last time, we've only seen the likes of Karim Bagheri, Ali Daei, Mehdi Mahdavikia & Hidetoshi Nakata playing overseas, now its Hashemian, Nakamura, Cha Du-Ri and many more plying their trade in Europe. Not many of them are key players of their teams, however some of them did play a significant role throughout their stay.
The level of technical competency has improved, so has the physical fitness and toughness. Tactically, we are still a few steps behind, however that doesn't mean we do not have natural footballers being born daily over here.
Japan's results in friendlies and little tournaments are quite encouraging, and the likes of Korea getting friendlies against European countries for their warm up games is pleasant.
There may be many conspiracy theories behind Korea's march to the last four of the WC2002, but they did give their opponents good games, and scored some good goals themselves.
Even the likes of Australia, who has more well-known & established footballers plying their trade around Europe, are acknowledging Asia's rise in world football by asking for permission to play in Asia's world cup qualifying rounds.
Do you guys think that we are genuinely starting to come good after years of effort, or we are just a bunch of kiss-asses looking around for some easy ride into world football fame
p 
Last time, we've only seen the likes of Karim Bagheri, Ali Daei, Mehdi Mahdavikia & Hidetoshi Nakata playing overseas, now its Hashemian, Nakamura, Cha Du-Ri and many more plying their trade in Europe. Not many of them are key players of their teams, however some of them did play a significant role throughout their stay.
The level of technical competency has improved, so has the physical fitness and toughness. Tactically, we are still a few steps behind, however that doesn't mean we do not have natural footballers being born daily over here.
Japan's results in friendlies and little tournaments are quite encouraging, and the likes of Korea getting friendlies against European countries for their warm up games is pleasant.
There may be many conspiracy theories behind Korea's march to the last four of the WC2002, but they did give their opponents good games, and scored some good goals themselves.
Even the likes of Australia, who has more well-known & established footballers plying their trade around Europe, are acknowledging Asia's rise in world football by asking for permission to play in Asia's world cup qualifying rounds.
Do you guys think that we are genuinely starting to come good after years of effort, or we are just a bunch of kiss-asses looking around for some easy ride into world football fame