Didier Drogba has opened up a world of opportunity in China and blazed a trail for other senior stars as the wealthy Asia-Pacific region becomes an increasingly hot soccer destination.

The ex-Chelsea striker remains the headline act after a year that also saw Nicolas Anelka, Marcello Lippi and Alessandro Del Piero head east, with even David Beckham linked with a move to Australia or China.

Japan's Shinji Kagawa made a breakthrough at Manchester United, but moves in the other direction are catching attention as economic imperatives help raise the profile of Asian soccer

Australia's A-League pulled off a coup when Sydney FC secured the services of Italian great Del Piero. Ex-England forward Emile Heskey has also been a hit at Sydney's near-neighbor, the Newcastle Jets.

Such purchasing power meant Australia and China were tipped as top of the list when Beckham announced his departure from LA Galaxy, with the intention of playing for one more club before retiring.

The Asia effect was in evidence elsewhere with the Thai league luring former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and even Malaysia, notorious for its match-fixing scandals, attracting ex-English Premier League players.

South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai won Asia's team, coach and player of the year awards after its unbeaten run to the AFC Champions League title, rounded off in swashbuckling style with a 3-0 win over Al Ahli in the final.

Coach Kim Ho-gon masterminded a competition-record nine straight wins and winger Lee Keun-ho earned Asia's top individual honor, as Ulsan earned a spot at the Club World Cup and helped bury the K-League's corruption woes in the process.

Kagawa left Borussia Dortmund mid-year to become Manchester United's first Japanese player, and he quickly became a hit before being sidelined by a knee problem.

Asian champion Japan was the form international team and has one foot in the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil after winning four out of five games so far in the last qualifying round.

AFP

(China Daily 12/27/2012 page23)