“But of course the biggest factor is the parents’ mindset and that is indeed not easy to change. During my time, there was a lot of good Chinese players at school level but they never pursued a professional career because their parents don’t allow them to – I think this is an issue that still exists today.”
“It seems to fit well on the back of various jerseys with the players’ names sitting just below the number as compared to the traditional style we see in popular leagues like the EPL, LaLiga or the Serie A. Instead, we have a huge heat pressed logo of the league’s principal sponsor – AIA”
“However, underneath all those little achievements, I did have many challenges playing in different environment and adapting to different cultures. Over the years, I think I have come out stronger and more committed. I started to value and appreciate what I have worked hard for.”
“Don’t forget all matches will be played at a centralised playing ground. Unlike the previous editions where the home and away matches will be played, there will not be any home advantages for the “home” team. Hence, there could potentially be some surprises,” Benjamin Tan, Thai League deputy CEO & Director of club licensing sharing his thoughts with Junpiter Futbol.
“Let’s look at the bright side of playing against all these big teams. There are so much to gain especially for the younger players. I told them how fortunate they are to be able to play against the best in Asia at their age. The experience that they gained from playing in such matches will definitely improve their game! So I told the younger boys, let’s all go out do our best and enjoy the moments”
The Japanese have romanticised the concept of Kaizen – the pursuit of continuous improvement. Traditionally the word would be associated craftsmen or in business, most famously adopted by Toyota. Kazu is the very embodiment of this philosophy.
When asked by reporters about his future, he bursts out in laughter. “I might (retire) someday.”
He composes himself and with a straight face “If possible, I want to die as a player. That is my true feeling. So when I die, I want to be known as Kazuyoshi Miura, soccer player. Not a former player.”
Junpiter Futbol were fortunate to be able to cover Diego Maradona’s Al Fujairah in the Arabian Gulf League back in 2018. These are our final shots of the greatest footballer of all times. This is our little tribute to Diego Maradona.
The annual SingaCup, Singapore International Youth Cup is celebrating its 10-year of youth football excellence this November despite the strong challenge and ‘defence’ put up by Covid-19.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the SingaCup is reinventing itself to present a hybrid 5 days event programme consisting of competitive esports tournaments, interviews and panel discussions with professional footballers and industry.
In addition, eSingaCup 2020 seeks to reaffirm its strong standing in the international grassroots football community and attract new fans and a greater audience, all the while showcasing Singapore and the event online.
“I have the priviledge to represent Yangon United as a professional footballer from 2009 to 2020. I am really very happy. Yangon United is not just a club, it is like a home to me. I really want to thank my team mates, the coaches, the officials, the president and owner of the club. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone, “ said Captain Ice on his social media.
Football has snailed back up from the sleepy lockdown months and we’re peaking with fantastic spectacles like the absolute stormer of a football match between Manchester City and Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 a few nights ago. But at the end of a storm, there’s normally a golden sky; the future is certainly golden for top tier wunderkinds like 19-year-old Takefusa Kubo from Real Madrid and Lee Kang-In of Valencia CF.
One of the most talkabout matches between Japan & South Korea in the 1998 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifying Final Round. Check out the match & wonderful goals highlights from 1997.
