Sun shines in Eindhoven
Friday 23 February 2007
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Sun Xiang was all smiles on Tuesday (©Getty Images)
Chinese New Year fell auspiciously for Sun Xiang. On New Year's Eve he made his debut for PSV Eindhoven; three days later he became the first Chinese player to feature in the UEFA Champions League. The roar that greeted the left-back on to the pitch with 25 minutes left against Arsenal FC showed he has already been taken to heart; an impressive display suggests there may be plenty more to follow.
'Big news'
Sun is softly spoken. He has what the Dutch call "een open gezicht" - a friendly face - and his open manner has already won over fans, team-mates and most significantly coach Ronald Koeman. Sun is happy to discuss this milestone for China in English, though he is more at ease on the pitch than he is grappling with the foreign language. "It's very exciting," Sun told uefa.com. "I feel very happy and lucky because PSV won which is the most important thing. Secondly the fact a Chinese guy can play in the Champions League is very big news in China I think."
Eindhoven is very quiet and comfortable which makes life easier and I like it
Patience
Playing in Europe has long been the Chinese international's ambition, but he has had to wait for this chance. After a trial at Wigan Athletic FC came to nothing he arrived in Eindhoven in November with his twin brother Sun Ji. Xiang impressed and was invited back, joining PSV on loan from Shanghai Shenhua on 12 January, just three days before his 25th birthday. Life in Eindhoven suits Sun. The town of 200,000 is like a village compared to the teeming metropolis of Shanghai which has a population nearly 100 times greater. Sun is a popular figure in China, but in Eindhoven has found respite from press and fans back home as he adjusts to his new life. "I have learned so much from my team-mates and coach. They are very kind to help me improve and we are like a big family so I feel very good. Eindhoven is very quiet and comfortable which makes life easier and I like it."
Milestone
Sun's appearance in the UEFA Champions League marked a further milestone for Chinese football in Europe. Chinese players are fast becoming a feature of the European game with English Premiership clubs in particular looking east. Fangzhuo Dong (Manchester United FC) and Zhi Zheng (Charlton Athletic FC) were the latest arrivals in January, following a trend begun in 1998 when Crystal Palace FC signed Chinese pair Sun Jihai and Fan Zhiyi. Links are also growing off the pitch. Sheffield United FC have bought a controlling share of Chinese side Chengdu Five Bull while Chelsea FC have reached a co-operation agreement with the Chinese Football Association as European sides jostle to exploit commercial opportunities in the region.
Chinese coverage
Sun’s exploits are closely followed in China where growing interest in European football was reflected in the television rights package UEFA agreed with the country’s free to air national broadcaster CCTV in September which is available in 350 million homes across the country. PSV themselves launched a Chinese version of their website two years ago and page views hit a record high this week. In the two days around the Arsenal game traffic was double what it usually is in a month.
Koeman confidence
Koeman points out Sun has got where he is on merit alone, not with an eye on marketing opportunities. "It's very good for him personally and very good for China and he did well," Koeman said. "It was the first minutes for a Chinese player in the Champions League but we didn't only put him in the team for that but because he has demonstrated his qualities." The foray into the Chinese market further extends the global reach of a club whose scouting network, particularly in South America, is the envy of many. PSV introduced Ronaldo and Romário to a European audience and the Dutch champions continue to rely on foreign imports to keep pace with the continent's richer sides.
Young talent
Players from 36 countries have now worn the red-and-white stripes of PSV who were represented by players from five different continents against Arsenal. With Koeman's hands tied by injuries, just two Dutchmen featured in the first leg, but that is not to suggest PSV are neglecting homegrown talent. With the likes of Ibrahim Afellay and Ismaïl Aisatti impressing for the Dutch Under-21s, PSV fans should be enjoying the best of both worlds for many years to come.
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