With the introduction of the recent “3+1” rule across the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the leagues of the continent have been treated to an influx of nationalities like nothing they have ever seen before.

Until the recent ruling, AFC national leagues were restricted to fielding four foreign players (of any decent) at any one time. Most leagues, understandably, were filled with Brazilian mercenaries and other non-Asian players fighting it out for a starting spot and a large salary. Now however, with the 3+1 rule, only three non-AFC players are allowed to be fielded by any of the member nations; the fourth must be from another Asian confederation country. The new rule has led to an explosion of Asian talent moving across the continent.

AFC president Mohammed Bin Hammam has proclaimed the move forward a “chance for Asian players to play for other Asian clubs”, and it truly has provided many with the opportunity to move out of their domestic comfort zone and into other leagues across Asia. One constant all the continent’s leagues seem to possess is that home based players tend not to leave in their droves in search of pastures new. This in turn has the knock on effect of denying many the chance to showcase their skills abroad and develop both as a player and person. Bin Hammam is hoping the 3+1 rule will go some way towards changing that and should help provide Asian players with an added push to head abroad as there should be an increase in clubs from other Asian leagues coming calling.

The AFC president’s initiative has reason to be applauded. The rule appears to have allowed the AFC to take a giant leap forward through diversifying the many leagues in its confederation. It is now common to see Koreans plying their trade in China, Thailand internationals seeking fame and fortune in Australia, and even Australians themselves getting in on the act, popping up across Asia.

This growing trend will help players to get a better feel for what it is to play within a different structure and equally the clubs they join can benefit from foreign know-how and experiences. Such factors can only improve both player and club, essentially being a win-win situation as stars head from home to take up an often higher paying spot in the continent’s many leagues.

At present it appears Australians are the flavour of the month. Often having the skills and athleticism of their European counterparts, Australian players at A-League and lower league European clubs have been raided by Asian sides. The likes of Matthew Spiranovic (on loan at Urawa Red Diamonds, Japan), Jade North (Incheon United, South Korea), Joel Griffiths (Beijing Guoan, China) and Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus Eight, Japan) have been drafted into the plus one slot to provide a skill set many other Asian players lack.

The flip side of the coin means that players looking to acclimatise to a more European style game can now look to Australia shores for their first taste, the A-League having an athletic element more akin to that of English and some other European leagues than its Asian counterparts.

By far the biggest talent to take advantage of this opportunity is South Korean playmaker Song Jin-Hyung, a precocious talent, who decided at the age of 20 that a move to A-League side Newcastle Jets would be the best way to put himself in the shop window for a move to Europe. Now, after successfully adapting a the more physical style of play with the Hunter Valley club, Song has found himself on trial with Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven, former home to two of South Korea’s favourite sons, Park Ji-Sung and Lee Young-Pyo. For Song Jin-Hyung his A-League move already looks a wise one.

The 3+1 rule is already having a widespread effect across Asia. In a confederation where only the exceptionally talented make the move overseas, the new ruling has finally given clubs the impetus to take on Asian players above their European and South American cohorts. The AFC should be praised for this progressive rule change.

3+1 truly equals a better future for Asian football.

 

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