Football: Moneybags China Could Learn From South Korea

SEOUL,(APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2016 ) : Chinese clubs have splashed out hundreds of millions of Dollars in the quest for football glory but they could learn a few lessons from South Korea, which remains an Asian powerhouse at club and international level.

Recent evidence suggests that despite China's headline-grabbing outlay on players and coaches, often for exorbitant sums, South Korean football is on top. The message was hammered home when Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and FC Seoul easily dispatched Chinese opposition in this month's two-legged AFC Champions League quarter-finals, scoring a total of nine goals to two.

And in World Cup qualifying on September 1, South Korea beat China 3-2, cruising to 3-0 up before being pegged back by two late goals. The defeat extended China's dismal record against South Korea, whom they have beaten just once -- downing an under-strength side in 2010 -- in 31 meetings.

Korean captain Ki Sung-Yueng said it best after the game when he welcomed China's sudden investment in football, but said it didn't mean international success was assured. "Signing good foreign players is no guarantee that the country will develop," said Ki, pointing to the example of England.

"There are many good players from all over the world in the English Premier League but the results of the England national team are not good." Chinese clubs have forked out just over 400 million Euros ($446 million) on players this year, luring stars like Liverpool target Alex Teixeira and Southampton's Graziano Pelle, who reportedly became one of the world's best paid players.

Yet none of the four Chinese contenders could mount a serious attempt on the AFC Champions League, Asia's top club tournament, including holders Guangzhou Evergrande who exited at the group stage.