Chungy on a busman's holiday.

[CrazyHorse]

I have every sympathy with managers losing players to go and play tin-pot internationals.

Sorry people won't like this, but Everton pay Cahill a lot of money. To lose him for a month is ridiculous.

I know all the stuff about playing for ones country, but for me international football became secondary many years ago whether we like it or not. Whilst there is nothing Moyes can do about it, I do have sympathy and think its infuriating. Especially when you consider how much these countries benefit from their players playing in European leagues that they are then asked to fly half way round the world and back for friendlies and pointless internationals that could be held at better times. +

International football maybe secondary to you, but it won't be for Cahill. And that's the point.

Bottom line is that if a manager has international quality players then they're gonna lose their players for international duty at some time or another. If they don't like it, then don't sign international quality players. Simples.

[seanworth]

Asians take their cup very seriously, just like the Africans with theirs. These types are cups are very important especially to emerging football nations. However the problem isn't the importance of this cup, it is that it was scheduled soley to suit Qatar. If Qatar wants this cup so bad build a/c stadiums. I hate the scheduling of the African Nations cup but at least it is consistant and we know when we sign a player from Africa.

[jmjhb]

He's had a bit of a mid-season break too, can only be good for the rest of the season.

[BWFC_Insane]

I have every sympathy with managers losing players to go and play tin-pot internationals.

Sorry people won't like this, but Everton pay Cahill a lot of money. To lose him for a month is ridiculous.

I know all the stuff about playing for ones country, but for me international football became secondary many years ago whether we like it or not. Whilst there is nothing Moyes can do about it, I do have sympathy and think its infuriating. Especially when you consider how much these countries benefit from their players playing in European leagues that they are then asked to fly half way round the world and back for friendlies and pointless internationals that could be held at better times. +

Tin pot? Because it's not European? A lot of European leagues lose players to the Euro's... Is that 'Tin pot'?

Short answer....yes.

The world cup is about the only international tournament that retains any real value IMO. I just think the overexposure to players all round the world, but especially in Europe has killed off international football in most cases. The quality just isn't there internationally compared to many club competitions.

I realise people will disagree with me, but I'd rather LCY stayed with us, and I'd be the same were he English. Obviously I understand from a personal point of view they want to represent their countries which is why I've been pleased and dissapointed for Kev and Gary Cahill when they've been picked, played and not picked/played respectively. But ultimately I think clubs have a point when people they pay a lot of money to and will do so even when they are away and unavailable for duties whilst playing for their countries, cannot contribute anything because of international demands.

[Tombwfc]

The fact that you, and a lot of English people, are disillusioned with international football, does not mean all other countries are, especially those outside Europe. For most, this is the highest level of football they'll get to see their countrymen play.

Tim Cahill has played for Australia for five years, plenty of time for Moyes to get rid if he's too upset at the injustice of it all.

[seanworth]

After checking I found out that in recent years the Asian Cup has been held during the summer months probably to not interfere with European leagues. From 92 and earlier though the Asian Cup was held at times that the weather seemed most suitable for the host nation. Tournaments were held in September, October, December etc.

[BWFC_Insane]

The fact that you, and a lot of English people, are disillusioned with international football, does not mean all other countries are, especially those outside Europe. For most, this is the highest level of football they'll get to see their countrymen play.

Tim Cahill has played for Australia for five years, plenty of time for Moyes to get rid if he's too upset at the injustice of it all.

Tom I'm not disillusioned simply because England are shite, generally I think the shine has been taken off international football.

I do take what you're saying.

But lets say international football is "the pinnacle".What would get higher viewing figures worldwide assuming both on at the same time and on Sky around the world....

South Korea vs Australia

OR

Man Utd vs Chelsea, or Liverpool or well anyone of note.....

[CrazyHorse]

I see what you're suggesting. We scrap all international teams and tournaments and just let Man Utd play Chelsea, or Liverpool or anyone of note over and over.

[BWFC_Insane]

I see what you're suggesting. We scrap all international teams and tournaments and just let Man Utd play Chelsea, or Liverpool or anyone of note over and over.

Er no, what I was saying was....

Should an international tournament take precedence over one of the most watched leagues in the world (if not THE most) where players are getting paid tens and hundreds of thousands of pounds a week and the cost of failure for clubs runs into the 10's of millions if not more?

I'm really not sure that in the modern climate it should. And my thinking runs into the Qatar world cup, January proposal aswell.

It is ridiculous.

I fully sympathise with the whole "international football is the pinnacle" its a bigger thing for many countries etc. I get that. But the world we live in and how things operate says different. Remember the countries that often hold these tournaments during our season are all too delighted when their players get to European leagues and benefit from the best coaching, fitness diet, living standards etc. Its a two way street in my book.

Ultimately my opinion is that international football should fit around the biggest leagues in the world not the other way around but I realise that not everyone is going to agree.

[CrazyHorse]

But you've hit the nail right there. As you say, the countries ARE all too delighted when their players get to European leagues and benefit from the best coaching and stuff but why? So they'll be better players for their international squads.

Besides, there is a bigger picture. For a non-EU player to get an British work permit they have to have played a certain number of international games.

[Worthy4England]

But you've hit the nail right there. As you say, the countries ARE all too delighted when their players get to European leagues and benefit from the best coaching and stuff but why? So they'll be better players for their international squads.

Besides, there is a bigger picture. For a non-EU player to get an British work permit they have to have played a certain number of international games.

Also, can you imagine how important this "tin pot" cup is to ordinary Aussies, given that we slaughtered them in the Rugby Cook Cup and they aren't going to retain the Ashes?

If it gets any worse, they're going to have to organise an impromptu Swimming Gala, 'coz they can't do cycling.

[jaffka]

dont do darts either with dead eye dick whitlock forgetting to put in his contact lenses

[Horza]

Swimming? We haven't been world beaters in that for yonks!

Hockey is our last redoubt.

[mikky]

Some pics of Chungy in Qatar


Celebrates with Park after scoring during practice game

[boltonboris]

Somebody tell him, that t-shirt and cardie combo is sooooo not right.

Mmm hmmm

[KeeeeeeeBaaaaaaab]

All the matches are live on Eurosport. Chungy's match is on Eurosport 2 at 5.15pm our time.

[SonsOfThunder]

All the matches are live on Eurosport. Chungy's match is on Eurosport 2 at 5.15pm our time.

Might want to add "Monday" in there somewhere.

[KeeeeeeeBaaaaaaab]

Aye, that as well.

[Bruce Rioja]

Apparently, these two are pin-ups in their homeland!

[Lord Kangana]

"What first attratcted you to the multi-millionaire footballer Chung Yong Lee...."