As part of China's determination to "become a footballing powerhouse," millions of dollars are being spent at "multiple levels to ensure China's Asian Cup quarterfinal with Australia on Thursday is no flash in the pan," according to Tom Smithies of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. When a government "legislates to force schools to include football on the national curriculum, it suggests they are serious." In China, there are "plenty of eyes on the future." Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande, bankrolled by the "obscene wealth of billionaire Xu Jiayin, makes headlines" from employing the likes of Manager Marcelo Lippi -- but millions more are "being spent on the club’s huge academy, which is full-time home to hundreds of young players." The chosen ones "learn football but also a full education -- hugely important in a society that values studiousness as much as anything." China President Xi Jinping has demanded his country "qualify for,
then host, then win, the World Cup." The state apparatus has "swung
behind the idea -- bringing in overseas experts" like American Tom
Byer, credited with a "huge role in Japan's youth development system." Byer: "How is it that China can send a rocket to the moon, but lose to Singapore in a World Cup qualifier?" Whether the latest efforts "can bear fruit" will not be known for years, "but the intention is there" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 1/19).
IRAN PLAYERS WARNED: The AFP reported Iran's footballers have been warned they "could face punishment if they take 'selfie' pictures with female fans" who have turned out in large numbers at the Asian Cup. Sport and "in particular football has a large following in Iran." The sex segregation rules that prevent women from attending men's games at home "do not apply abroad" (AFP, 1/20).
