The fringe players of Japan, South Korea and Australia will get a chance to push for selection in next year’s World Cup at the East Asian Cup starting on Saturday.
Domestic-based players will carry their nations’ hopes at the July 20-28 tournament in Seoul and Hwaseong, which falls outside FIFA dates -- meaning clubs do not have to release their foreign stars.
Japan’s key men Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda are among those missing, while South Korea will be without Bayer Leverkusen striker Son Heung-Min.China, the fourth team taking part, have few foreign-based players and have not qualified for the World Cup in Brazil. They will be under caretaker coach Fu Bo after Juan Antonio Camacho was sacked.
Strict enforcement of the rules raised hackles with Australia manager Holger Osieck, who was left fuming after Asian clubs baulked at releasing players including Nagoya Grampus striker Josh Kennedy.
‘The foreign clubs created a lot of problems. I understand the games are not FIFA-protected but there is a gentleman’s agreement between the competing countries that players from the respective leagues should be released to play. If you host a tournament like this, for me it’s a no-brainer that players are released,’ said Osieck, who waited for last-minute negotiations with the clubs before announcing his final squad.
Australia are playing the round-robin tournament for the first time, while hosts South Korea will also be under a new manager in Hong Myung-Bo, after Choi Kang-Hee stepped down last month.
Domestic-based players will carry their nations’ hopes at the July 20-28 tournament in Seoul and Hwaseong, which falls outside FIFA dates -- meaning clubs do not have to release their foreign stars.
Japan’s key men Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda are among those missing, while South Korea will be without Bayer Leverkusen striker Son Heung-Min.China, the fourth team taking part, have few foreign-based players and have not qualified for the World Cup in Brazil. They will be under caretaker coach Fu Bo after Juan Antonio Camacho was sacked.
Strict enforcement of the rules raised hackles with Australia manager Holger Osieck, who was left fuming after Asian clubs baulked at releasing players including Nagoya Grampus striker Josh Kennedy.
‘The foreign clubs created a lot of problems. I understand the games are not FIFA-protected but there is a gentleman’s agreement between the competing countries that players from the respective leagues should be released to play. If you host a tournament like this, for me it’s a no-brainer that players are released,’ said Osieck, who waited for last-minute negotiations with the clubs before announcing his final squad.
Australia are playing the round-robin tournament for the first time, while hosts South Korea will also be under a new manager in Hong Myung-Bo, after Choi Kang-Hee stepped down last month.