Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Ras Al Khaimah: FIFA agent Jean Gerard believes that the AFC U-19 Championship reflects the rising standards in Asian football both on and off the pitch having followed the game in the continent for a number of years.
The Barcelona-based agent, who represents a number of top players and coaches in Europe and West Asia, has been following the action in Ras Al Khaimah and believes that the days when clubs would look solely on the marketability of a player are long gone with talent and ability now the key attributes looked for when dipping into the Asian talent pool.
"The European clubs' interest in the Asian football market is ever increasing. Previously, the big clubs were only eying on the marketing potential but now it has to do with qualities first," the Frenchman told www.the-afc.com.
"There are emerging Asian countries who have the potential to play in the FIFA World Cup and do exceptionally well.
"Asian football was confined to Japan and Korea (Republic) before but now you have countries like Iran, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Australia and many others who are making huge strides in grassroots football.
"On the top of this, the organization of the AFC is highly professional with top class referees and officials. The interest of the top European clubs for this competition shows Asia has a huge future in global football."