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Football Love
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Football Love
This is the sport of Britain. Everyone is talking about it, everyone has played it and everyone loves it!
Or do they? The problem with football, is that it is loved by Britons, or the British-born, but for those who weren't born here, it might be a second-best sport to the likes of cricket. In the world cup, the South Asian teams are top of the table, but this is for the game with the bat. The game with the net however is a different story, with no representation from this part of the world being showcased.
And herein lies a problem, surely there has got to be some Asian footballers that Asians can look up to! And as much respect as you have for the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans battling alongside the Brazilians and English for the cup, there's got to be that south-Asian inspiration who can bend it like Beckham!
This is Perfect's Football Team:
Left back / Defence: Netan Sansara – With an Indian heritage and an under-18 cap under his belt, Sansara already promises to be the next best thing. Not only a good role model for young Asians wanting to get into the sport but also a darn good player. He can stop the ball because he's tall!
Defensive player: Javad Nekounam – The 27 year-old Iranian player in the Asian Premiership plays in a defensive position for Osasuna. He's great at getting the ball to other team members and setting up goals and has around 150 caps for Iran. A man of experience, but still with a long time to play.
Central midfield: Nashat Akram – Iraq's 23 year-old wonder-goal assister and scorer.. Giving the country a little bit something else to thing about in tough times while also offering competition to clubs in Britain. Almost made it to Man City but was denied due to work permit issues. The Premier League is watching this one though.
Defensive midfielder: Atif Bashir – With a German-Turkish mother and British-Pakistani Father, Bashir could have played for Germany, England, Turkey or Pakistan. He has played for Hertha BSC Berlin and Cardiff City and is now at Bridgend Town – Welsh Division 1. His preferred position is defensive midfield. At 24 years old, he's still very capable.
Central Midfield: Zesh Rahman – A name that is now widely known as the Asian to welcome all good playing Asians to the game. The 25 year-old is currently at Bradford City and was the first British Pakistani to play in all four divisions of football in England. He debuted at Fulham in 2004 and has even switched from England to play for the Pakistani National team. He is a good representation of both a British / English player and an Asian one, but is also a good football icon. He has also been involved in “Show racism the Red Card” and is an ambassador for “Kick it Out” and the “Asian Football Network”. He is proof that it can be done and it can be done well.
Defender / midfield: Amjad Iqbal – a 28 year-old British-Pakistani who has played for Pakistan in the 2010 qualifiers against Iraq. Although they lost it was a memorable occasion, as the part-time chemistry lecturer was the first international player for Farsley Celtic Football Club. “Ammers” currently plays for Bradford Park avenue.
Striker: Michael Chopra – With an Indian father but being British-born, Chopra is eligible to play for either country, but he currently is at Cardiff City after a long history of league club playing including Newcastle United. He has been voted championship player of the month in his career and is also well known to the British media.
Left Winger: Harpal Singh (Purewal) – The 28 year-old has played professional football for Leeds united and has been quoted by manager George Graham as being Leeds United's answer to what Michael Owen is to Liverpool FC. He favours the left wing position and has been loaned to many clubs to play this side. In his career he has been left on the bench a number of times due to injuries.
Midfield: Vikash Dhorasoo – now 35 years old, Dhorasoo is a past footballing professional. Born in France, Dhorasoo has played for AC Milan and was in the 2006 FIFA World Cup on the French team but saw limited playing time. Of Indo-Mauritian background, Dhorasoo is outspoken on all subjects, including supporting societies and clubs that are against bigotry, homophobia and discrimination in the sport. Although his football career has seen ups and down, he continues to make an impact for the well-being of others.
Midfielder: Adnan Farooq Ahmed – Another British-Asian mid-fielder of Pakistani descent, this meant Ahmed was eligible to play for either England or Pakistan, choosing to support Pakistan at international level. With a history starting from his youth days at Manchester City to his current team, Ferencvárosi TC , the 25 year-old has before played professionally in the UK at Huddersfield United plus other clubs while on loan. He has also played for Pakistani National team in qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2010 but was on the losing side. His current playing field in Hungary means he isn't seen too much in the British media.
Markus Horison (Ririhena) – Of Indonesian heritage and one of few south Asian goalkeepers with a reputation, the 28 year-old has a big fan-base in Indonesia due to the 2007 Asian cup. He's quite tall, which makes him great in conditions from a cross and is recognised as one of Asia's best goalkeepers. The fact that there are none to speak of in the UK shows just how little people try and make teams in England.
This list of 11 is not just the best that Perfect could find, but are some of the only British players of Asian heritage playing professional football. (excluding Horison). Even though there are schemes set up by big clubs like Chelsea to find superstar players, there is still a lack of talent being showcased. One of the reasons that people fear is racism, believing that an Asian person looking to become a professional footballer will only be taunted and abused. However, this fact is based more on fear of stereotype and stigma than actual fact.
One of the major problems with the Asian community is a lack of support for its children. One of the major reasons why Asians are not seen playing in England or in major league clubs is not due to racism, even though this may be as big a deterrent,; but it is due to parents expecting and persuading their children to study or work rather than set their goals on a “dream”.
It is very important for the children of the future to be educated, but if your child, or if you are a budding footballer, then it is also important to try, after all, there won't be a change if there isn't someone to show the way.
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