Asians In Europe

Vahid Hashemian (Hannover and Iran)

The helicopter is soaring high after scoring his first goal of the season, one that proved to be the winner. When he was introduced to the action in the 70th minute at home to Bochum, the scores were level at 2-2. Within a minute, the Iranian headed home Micheal Tarnat’s cross to give the team a thrilling 3-2 win.

Takayuki Morimoto (Catania and Japan)

The 19 year-old fired retained his place in the team following his goal last week but couldn’t find the net in the goalless draw with newly-promoted Genoa. He was replaced after 56 minutes.

Lee Dong-guk (Middlesbrough and South Korea)

Lee opened his account last Wednesday with a fine strike in Boro’s 2-0 win over Northampton in the Carling Cup. He should have scored his first Premier League goal against Birmingham on Saturday. Introduced as a late substitute, he shot wide from close range in the final minute of Boro’s 2-0 victory.

Daisuke Matsui (Le Mans and Japan)

It was going so well for Le Mans at the home of champions Lyon. Leading 2-0 with 20 minutes to go, they let in three goals in six minutes to lose 3-2.Like most of his team-mates, the midfielder played well for a while but soon faded. He was replaced with 15 minutes still to play.

Naohiro Takahara (Eintracht Frankfurt and Japan) The Sushi Bomber made his first appearance of the season after injury ruled him out of Frankfurt’s good start. His came on as a substitute midway through the second half at Werder Bremen but his team lost 2-1.

Shao Jiayi (Energie Cottbus and China)

Still has yet to play a full 90 minutes this season. Shao was introduced into the action with 20 minutes remaining but had little impact as the struggling Cottbus drew 1-1 at home to Nurnberg.

Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic and Japan) After Celtic’s midweek heroics in the Champions League qualifier against Spartak Moscow, Nakamura was rested as Celtic traveled to St Mirren. He wasn’t needed as the champions won 5-1.

Koji Nakata (Basle and Japan) The versatile star played the full ninety as Basle defeated FC Thun 2-1 thanks to a last-minute winner.

Kim Dong-jin (Zenit St Petersburg and South Korea)

The ex-Seoul defender played the full game as Zenit won again – a 1-0 triumph at home to Kuban Krasnodar – to go level on top with Spartak Moscow.  

Mehdi Mahdavikia (Eintracht Frankfurt and Iran) Kia played the full ninety as his new team lost their first game of the season at Werder Bremen.

Seol Ki-hyeon (Fulham and South Korea)

The Sniper was traded to Fulham in the last half-hour of August and watched from the sidelines as his new club drew 3-3 with Spurs in an entertaining game.

Lee Young-pyo (Tottenham and South Korea)

Had a mixed game as troubled Tottenham let a 3-1 lead slip at Fulham to come away with only a point.

Junichi Inamoto (Eintracht Frankfurt and Japan)

Inamoto is finding his feet in the Bundesliga but the busy midfielder was unable to prevent Frankfurt losing 2-1 at Werder Bremen – the club’s first defeat this season.

Andranik Teymourian (Bolton and Iran)

Nowhere to be seen as Bolton crashed to a fourth defeat in five games at home to Everton.

Alex Santos (Salzburg and Japan)

The skilful wing-back played the whole game as Salzburg drew 1-1 at SV Mattersburg.

Sun Jihai (Manchester City and China) Yet to make an appearance this season as City lost 1-0 at Blackburn Rovers.

Javad Nekounam (Osasuna and Iran)

The inspirational midfielder is set to miss most of the season after damaging a cruciate ligament in pre-season training.

Park Ji-sung (Manchester United and South Korea) Park has been out of action since the end of March and his knee injury is expected to keep him out of the Manchester United line-up until January.  

John Duerden
Asia Editor
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.