Asian Stars Shine in Europe's Top Leagues
AFC players made significant impacts across Europe's major leagues, with debuts, goals, and assists from Japan, Korea Republic, Australia, and other
Asian players delivered standout performances across Europe's top football leagues this week. According to a wrap-up from the-AFC.com, the action featured debut appearances, crucial goals, and important assists from Continental stars.
England and Scotland Highlights
In the English Premier League, Hull City began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Coventry City. Japan's Hidemasa Morita started for Hull, while Australia's Lucas Herrington and Japan's Tatsuhiro Sakamoto were second-half substitutes. Manchester City's 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace featured Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov. Crystal Palace used Japan's Daichi Kamada and Takehiro Tomiyasu but suffered a second straight loss.
Japan's Ao Tanaka came off the bench for Leeds United in a 1-1 draw with Brentford. Newly-promoted Ipswich Town started Japan striker Daizen Maeda in a 5-2 defeat to Manchester United.
In Scotland, Australian forwards found the net. Martin Boyle scored in the 25th minute for Hibernian in a 2-1 win over Dundee. Zachary Sapsford converted a 36th-minute penalty in Dundee United's 4-1 victory against Kilmarnock. Korea Republic's Kim Min-su made his debut for Rangers in a 1-0 win over Aberdeen, playing alongside Australian midfielder Cameron Devlin. Celtic started Korean striker Yang Hyun-jun in a 2-1 win over Falkirk, who fielded Australian right-back Ryan Strain for the full match.
Suzuki's Hat-trick Leads German Action
Japan midfielder Yuito Suzuki stole the show in Germany's Bundesliga. He scored a hat-trick with goals in the 29th, 48th, and 55th minutes to lead Freiburg to a 4-1 opening day win over Werder Bremen. Suzuki was replaced in the 80th minute by fellow Japanese international Keisuke Goto, who made his debut after a transfer from Anderlecht.
Several other players made their first appearances in Germany. Korea Republic defender Seol Young-woo debuted for Augsburg, providing an assist just a minute after coming on in a 3-1 win over Schalke. Australia's Paul Okon-Engstler debuted for Koln in a 3-2 victory over Hoffenheim. Philippines defender Raphael Obermair debuted for newly-promoted Paderborn in a 0-0 draw with Mainz 05.
Bayern Munich's Korean defender Kim Min-jae featured in a 5-1 win over Stuttgart. Union Berlin's Korean midfielder Jeong Woo-yeong was a 61st-minute substitute in a 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt. Japan's Ko Itakura made his first appearance for Borussia Monchengladbach in a 3-0 loss to RB Leipzig.
Goals and Debuts in the Netherlands and France
In the Netherlands, Japan striker Ayase Ueda scored in the 62nd minute of Feyenoord's 2-2 draw with ADO Den Haag. The 28-year-old, who was last season's Eredivisie top scorer with 25 goals, is reportedly set to join French side Lille. Indonesia defender Justin Hubner scored an 87th-minute own goal in Fortuna Sittard's 3-2 loss to Groningen.
Other Dutch league action saw Japan's Shunsuke Mito play a full match for Sparta Rotterdam in a 2-1 loss. Japan's Seiya Maikuma was a 77th-minute substitute for Alkmaar. PSV Eindhoven's Japanese midfielder Kodai Sano played a full match in a 6-1 win. Indonesia's Nathan Tjoe-A-On registered an assist for Willem II.
In France, Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach conceded once as newly-promoted Troyes beat Lorient 2-1. Indonesia defender Calvin Verdonk made an 80th-minute appearance for Lille in a 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain. Le Havre started Japanese defenders Ayumu Seko and Kaito Mizuta in a 1-1 draw with Lyon.
Volpato and Lee Score Key Contributions
Australia striker Cristian Volpato netted his first Serie A goal for Sassuolo in a 2-1 win over Torino. The 22-year-old, in his second appearance, started alongside Indonesia defender Jay Idzes.
In Spain, Korea Republic midfielder Lee Kang-in claimed his first La Liga assist of the season. His fourth-minute pass led to the opening goal in Atletico Madrid's 3-1 victory over Sevilla. Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan kept a clean sheet for Levante in a 0-0 draw with Osasuna.
