Sun shining in Vienna at last

Two thunderous free-kicks have helped the first Chinese player in the Austrian Bundesliga to become an cult hit, with Sun Xiang recovering from a slow start to show his true worth at FK Austria Wien.

Slow start
Interest was stirred when Sun was presented as the league's first Chinese player last summer, arriving from Shanghai Shenhua having previously spent time on loan in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven. The 27-year-old left-sided player did not make an instant impact, and had a relatively quiet autumn campaign, but after scoring with two thunderous free-kicks in the Bundesliga, fans in Vienna are starting to take him to their hearts.

Own goal
Sun became the first Chinese player to star in the UEFA Champions League when he appeared for PSV against Arsenal FC on 20 February 2007, but his first games for Austria Wien were less celebrated – indeed, he scored an own goal in his second appearance against SV Kapfenberg. However, coach Karl Daxbacher blamed those early showings on a lingering injury to his right leg.

Improved performances
"He has his strong points and we always knew that," said the Austria Wien boss. "He had physical problems in the summer and was not fit, and we improved that during the winter training camp." Sure enough, Sun rattled home his first free-kick for his side on 3 March in a 1-1 Austrian Cup semi-final draw against SK Sturm Graz and was on target in the subseuent penalty shoot-out as his side earned a semi-final place.

Austrian mindset
He proved that was no fluke when he scored against Sturm again in the Bundesliga a week later, and is pleased to be settling in at last. "I needed time to get used to the league and the mindset," he said. "I also needed to get to understand my team-mates and our coach's system. Now I know where the other players will be running and I have recovered from my muscle injury, which really set me back in the autumn."

Star status
Sun has star status at home with more than ten million Chinese viewers watching his debut for PSV. His arrival in Vienna – initially on a one-year loan – has brought reporters from his home country flocking to the Austrian capital, where Sun is hoping to settle. "I definitely want to establish myself here and stay with this club," he said. "I love the culture and the beautiful buildings. Everyone is so friendly."