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In 1960, South Korea won the AFC championship.
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As a fan from Asia, I can only envy the giants of Europe and South America. However, the recent transfers of key players such as Benzema and Kante to the Saudi Arabian club have inspired me to research some of Asia’s oldest and most influential clubs.
While the giants of Europe and South America may steal the global spotlight, Asia also has its own legendary football clubs who have shaped the game in their own unique ways. With football’s legacy running deep in Asia, from the territories of Imperial Japan to the plains of India, it’s time to get to know some of the game’s unsung heroes.
Join me on this fascinating journey through time to uncover the legends, histories and defining moments that shaped the landscape of Asian football.
Football has a long history in Asia.
fife games
A Brief History of Asian Football
Our story about the history of Asian football begins with Cuju in China. It was one of the first ball games played on the Asian continent in the second and third centuries BC.
Cuju games consist of leather-sewn balls filled with feathers or fur. The sport was played in open cities and town squares in ancient China. Later, a similar game appeared in Japan. It’s called “kemari” and it’s heavily influenced by cuju.
However, the forerunners of modern football were undoubtedly the Europeans who came to the shores of Asian dynasties and kingdoms. They are able to spread their influence across the continent.
In 1938, the Dutch East Indies team participated in the World Cup final.
football football anyway
The interplay of social and cultural dynamics between Europeans and Asians includes the introduction of this beautiful sport by Europeans. At the beginning of the 20th century, the establishment of the Football Association became an important force in the development and popularization of the sport. Foremost among these was the Calcutta Football Club, which flourished in British India in 1872 to become the first football association in Asia.
As football continues to gain momentum across Asia, national and regional competitions take center stage. From 1913 to 1934, the Far East Championship showcased the great talent of Japanese, Chinese and Filipino soccer players. The event laid the groundwork for future regional competitions. In 1951, the inaugural Asian Games marked an important milestone as it provided Asian countries with a platform to participate in football and other sports. It wasn’t until 1956, however, that the Asian Cup became the premier intercontinental event, attracting teams from all corners of Asia in a fierce battle for regional supremacy.
The growth of Asian nationalism and the concept of Asia by Asians also led to the formation of football clubs throughout the colonial continent to gain a foothold and take revenge on the colonists. From this, we can understand the motives behind the formation of Asian clubs and their role in society.
The Hong Kong Football Club is headquartered in the Happy Valley area of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Football Club
1. Hong Kong Football Club
- Founded: 1886
- Honors: Three-time Hong Kong First Division Champion, thirteen-time Hong Kong Second Division Champion, five-time Hong Kong Senior Shield Champion, six-time Hong Kong Youth Challenge Shield Champion
Founded in 1886 by Sir James Haldane Lockhart, the Hong Kong Football Club was born at a historic gathering at the Victoria Leisure Stadium on 12 February 1886. Contrary to popular belief, the Chinese football club’s name is meant to pay homage to its foundations as an association and rugby centre, rather than just an association football body.
Interestingly, the club’s initial foray into the thrilling realm of sport involving rugby league saw their first match played just four days after their formation. It was not until 16 March 1886 that the club played its first football match, against the Royal Engineers.
In 1976, the well-known Hong Kong Football Club was established and took root in the club’s grounds, which became an important milestone in the club’s history. Initially, Sports Road served as the venue for the games until it eventually outgrew its surroundings and was eventually relocated to the Hong Kong Government Stadium in 1982.
Mohun Bagan Athletic Club competes in the Indian Premier League.
ESPN
2. Mohen Bagan Sports Club
- Founded: 1889
- Honours: Six Indian Premier League titles, 14 Confederations Cup titles and 16 Durand Cup titles.
The roots of Mohun Bagan AC are deeply enshrined in the annals of Indian football. It all started when a group of enterprising youths from the community from what is now Fariapukur Lane, Shimbazar, set out on their quest to start a football club. Their search led them to the Mohen Bagan Villa, a marble palace owned by the Mitra family, known for their jute trade.
On August 15, 1889, the wish of these young enthusiasts became a reality. Three prominent Bengali aristocratic families of North Calcutta – Mitra, Basu and Sen – held a meeting under the direction of Bhupendra Nath Basu. It is here that the Mohen Bagan Sports Club was born. Bhupendra Nath Basu was the first Chairman and Jyotindra Nath Basu was the First Secretary.
At the first anniversary party, club members extended an invitation to Professor FJ Rowe of the President’s College. During the event, Luo keenly observed a discrepancy in the nomenclature of the club. He pointed out that the word “sports” did not accurately reflect the activities of the club, which did not include activities such as fishing or rifle shooting, so he suggested “sports” instead. As a result, the members unanimously agreed, and the club was reborn as Mohong Bagan Athletic Club.
The second anniversary was attended by Sir Thomas Holland, who later joined the Executive Council of the Governor-General of India. In 1891, with the support of Maharaja Durga Charan Laha of Shyampukur, the club grounds found a new home in his residential area, now known as Laha Colony. Subsequently, with the assistance of Henry Lee, chairman of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, the club’s base was moved to Sham Square, Bagh Bazar.
Mohun Bagan competed for the first time in the 1893 Coochbehar Cup.
Tokyo Shukyudan participates in the first group competition of the Tokyo Society People’s League.
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3. Tokyo Sukyutan
- Founded: 1917
- Honours: Emperor’s Cup Champion and Tokyo Social League Champion
Founded in 1917, this Japanese football club has a rich history and is the oldest football club in the country. The club saw the early development and evolution of football in Japan when the sport was still in its formative years. Remarkably, they went down in history by winning the inaugural Emperor’s Cup, a remarkable achievement that cemented their status as the pioneers of national football.
Similar to the legendary Sheffield FC in England and Queen’s Park FC in Scotland, this venerable institution adheres firmly to the principles of amateurism. This trend can be seen in the early days of Japanese soccer teams competing in tournaments across the country.
Their motivation stems entirely from an innate passion for the sport. However, as the football environment changes and professionalises, clubs face enormous obstacles. The rise of corporate-sponsored teams and fully professional clubs has sidelined the amateur ideals of the institution.
Over the years, the club has achieved admirable success in the league. During memorable years in 1978 and 1983, the dedication and prowess of the players helped them finish second in the league table. These achievements are a testament to the club’s enduring spirit and their commitment to upholding the traditions of this beautiful sport.
East Bengal Football Club competes in the Indian Premier League.
ESPN
4. East Bengal Football Club
- Founded: 1920
- Honours: ASEAN Club Championship winner, eight Confederations Cup winners, three Indian Super Cup winners and 16 Durand Cup winners
East Bengal Football Club was formed on 1 August 1920 under the leadership of Suresh Chandra Chaudhury. In 1924, the club camped at the famous Maidan in Calcutta (then Kolkata) and gained membership in the governing body of the Football Association of India. That year, East Bengal and Cameroon B brought glory to the region by joining forces in the Second Division to win the title. When the club scored its 100th goal by S. Mitra in a 1-1 draw against Chaorabagan, it was an important milestone.
In 1925, the club was promoted to the First Division. The move was approved by the IFA governing body. Getting to the top division of the Kolkata Football League proved challenging and the club lost 4-1 to Kolkata FC in their opening match. During the defeat, however, Mona Datta etched his name as the first goal scorer in the club’s league. Their third game marked their first win, a 2-1 win over Dalhousie. Mona Datta showed his quality by scoring twice. There was a major rebound in 1931, with East Bengal becoming Division Two champions after relegation in 1928 and securing a return to Division One.
The club achieved a remarkable feat in 1936 with a record-breaking 4-0 win over Mohun Bagan at Calcutta FC. The win kicked off a long-running rivalry between the two giants of Indian football.
final thoughts
As we wrap up our journey through the rich history of legendary football clubs in Asia, it’s clear that the continent’s footballing heritage is a treasure trove of fascinating stories and iconic moments. Asia has played a major role in shaping the sport, from the sport’s ancient roots in China to modern rivalries between giants such as Mohong Bagan and East Bengal.
The passion, dedication and enduring spirit of these clubs capture the essence of Asian football. While Europe and South America dominate the global stage, Asian football’s unsung heroes have had a lasting impact on the sport. Through their stories, rivalries and defining moments, these clubs have shaped the football landscape in Asia and continue to inspire generations of football lovers across the continent.
Quiz for the Readers
For each question, choose the best answer. The answer is as follows.
- Which club holds the title of oldest football club in Asia?
- Mohon Bagan AC
- Hong Kong Football Club
- In what year was the Hong Kong Football Club established?
- 1889
- 1886
- Which Asian Championship in 1956 marked an important milestone for regional football?
- world cup
- AFC Asian Cup
answer points
- Hong Kong Football Club
- 1889
- world cup
© 2023 Sumyajiyoti Chakraborty
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