Sports / Soccer
Sun basks in Euro success
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2007-05-09 09:01
Sun Xiang is still in seventh heaven after his dream stint with Dutch
champion PSV Eindhoven despite the uncertainty over his long-term future.
"It felt a bit unreal parading the trophy around Eindhoven City on an
open coach with my teammates," the 25-year-old Chinese international told
Shanghai Daily. "I had seen something like this only on television
before," he added.
Sun returned to Shanghai on Sunday, seven days after Eindhoven clinched
the Dutch league crown on goal difference. Eindhoven routed Vitesse
Arnhem 5-1 in the season's final fixture to deny archrival Ajax Amsterdam
by a solitary goal on top of the standings.
PSV had earlier blown a comfortable 11-point lead amid injury woes that
saw Sun travel to the Netherlands on loan from Shanghai Shenhua.
The triumph means Sun becomes the first Chinese footballer to win a
league title in Europe.
"The past three months have been amazing," said Sun, referring to the
Champions League matches - another first for a Chinese.
"I found myself a different player after this experience."
Sun was released on a five-month loan deal in January but the Shenhua
player has expressed a desire to continue with the Dutch champions.
"I definitely want to stay on with PSV. I believe I can achieve even more
than what Lee Young-Pyo and Park Ji-Sung did for them," Sun said.
The South Koreans were the most prominent Asian players in PSV's service,
powering the team to Dutch titles and European successes between 2003 and
2005.
Ronald Koeman's decision to continue as PSV coach should also boost Sun's
chances of a permanent transfer.
While his future hangs in balance, his European foray has certainly
raised his brand status with advertisers making a beeline for him for
commercials. Sun has already drawn the attention of multinational
companies, including Britain's GP Batteries, who are keen to use his
image to market their products.
"I am excited by the offers not only because of the financial benefits,
but also by the impact they would have on people's perception of Chinese
soccer," said Sun.
Soccer has suffered in China over the last few years amid match-fixing
allegations and on-pitch violence that has kept fans away from domestic
fixtures.
"Chinese soccer has been through some rough rides of late and the image
of footballers is anything but positive. I hope I can change that."
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