AFC Player of the Year invited to Carrington

Saudi Arabia's Yasser Al Qahtani has recently been invited to trial at Manchester City. He will join another great, yet unknown Asian player in Thai right wing-back Suree Sukha who was signed by City several months ago (no doubt influenced by City's rich Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra) along with another two Thai players.

Hopefully the Asian Cup top scorer (joint top scorer) does well during his trial and impresses Ol' Blue Eyes Eriksson. Watching the Asian Cup made me realise how much untapped potential there is in the continent and if Al Qahtani can impress it might open the door for more Asian players to at least be looked at by European clubs. There are talents such as Younis Mahmoud, Ali Abbas, Yasuhito Endo, Keita Suzuki, Sebastian Soria Quintana, Server Djeparov, Ellie Aiboy and many more plying their trade throughout Asia, untouched by more famous European clubs when they clearly have the ability and the potential to play there.

One problem could be the hefty wages these players are paid in oil mining countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain. Players like Sebastian Soria choose to remain in their home country, simply because they are paid mountains of money. However, doing so will ensure that despite becoming quite rich, these players will never really gain fame (apart from in their own country) or worldwide recognition.

An issue that needs to be explored is whether top European clubs have significant (if any at all) scouting networks throughout Asia, particularly West Asia. Countries such as Japan and Korea have recently been tapped but now it's time for clubs to look into Qatar, Bahrain and even Iraq. There is talent in these countries going to waste playing against poorer quality opposition week-in, week-out when some, I daresay could even be playing UEFA Champions League football with the talent they have.

The best Asian player I can think of currently playing in Europe is Japan's Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic) who, despite playing OK in the Asian Cup was outshone by players from lesser-known teams.

A-League teams must also look into Asia. Obscure countries such as Uzbekistan, Oman and Indonesia have talented players that could be brought here on low salaries. Players who will give our teams an edge in Asia as well as not taking up the "precious" Marquee spot which can be handed to overweight wash-ups like Mario Jardel. Players aren't the only thing worth looking at in Asia, there are some talented managers out there too. Good football comes from a manager's philosophy and the majority of Australia's senior managers prefer grinding results over entertaining the crowd whilst getting results.

Hopefully Yasser Al Qahtani gets a contract and plays well for Manchester City. The 2007 AFC Player of the Year could be opening up doors for players all over Asia.