A press conference for the briefing on the EAFF East Asian Cup 2013 was held at the JFA House in Tokyo on the 15th July. Present on the host side were Joo Sung Kim, General Secretary of the East Asia Football Federation, Kuniya Daini, President of the Japan Football Association, and Chihiro Kameyama, President of Fuji Television Network. Before the opening in Korea Republic on the 20th July, EAFF General Secretary Kim explained about the outline of the tournament and progress in preparations.

“For this tournament, the East Asian Football Federation conducted Preliminary Competition Rounds 1 and 2 last year. The winners of Round 2, Australia for the men and China for the women, have qualified for the finals. The tournament will be held from the 20th to 28th July at three venues: Seoul World Cup Stadium, Hwaseong Stadium, and Jamsil Olympic Stadium. Starting from the women’s opening match between Japan and China, 12 games will be played over the nine days. Four teams participate in each tournament: Japan, China, DPR Korea, and Korea Republic for the women’s competition and Japan, China, Australia, and Korea Republic for the men. For the first time in the competition’s history, the East Asian Football Federation invited Australia to attend the qualifiers. After winning the Preliminary Competition, the men’s Australian team have qualified for the finals.”

“We included the Jamsil Olympic Stadium because it is a historic place for people of Korea Republic just as the National Olympic Stadium in Tokyo is home to Japanese football. It was a venue for the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988, so hoping that the people in that generation who enjoyed the excitement there will draw attention to football again, we chose the stadium in Jamsil as one of the venues.”

The East Asian Cup will see its fifth tournament since the competition began in 2003 (back then called the “East Asian Football Championship”). In the past four men’s tournaments, Korea Republic and China won the title twice each. For the women’s version, which began in 2005, Japan won twice while Korea Republic conquered the tournament once.

EAFF General Secretary Joo Sung Kim has high hopes for the East Asian Cup to be“a competition to nurture dreams”

A press conference for the briefing on the EAFF East Asian Cup 2013 was held at the JFA House in Tokyo on the 15th July. After attending the conference, Joo Sung Kim, General Secretary of the East Asia Football Federation, gave an interview to show his high hopes for the tournament and his passion for East Asian football.

―― The East Asian Cup reaches its tenth anniversary since the first tournament was held in 2003 (back then called the “East Asian Football Championship”). Tell us frankly how you have been impressed by the development of the competition.

“One major reason behind the establishment of the East Asian Football Federation was not a technical nor economic one but to develop friendship and unity among the countries in this region. In addition, to develop the next generation, this competition began ten years ago. For example, triggered by the World Cup in 2002, the football in Japan and Korea Republic saw a big change that nobody had expected before. Back then, there existed a high wall in front of East Asian footballers who wished to play on a higher level in other parts of the world. That wall has now fallen. Based on that point, I believe that the tournaments from this moment on will have a significant meaning in terms of the development of the next generation.”

―― With Australia present this time, three World Cup 2014 contenders will attend the tournament. What do you hope from it?

“Now, many fans have a keener eye on football. In terms of techniques, they are enjoying more and more opportunities to watch world-class football. In the past, many people were satisfied with just watching domestic or Asian football, but times have changed. Unless you show high-level games, people just don’t come to stadiums. In that sense, I am expecting much from the Australian team this time.”

―― Starting from 2005, the women’s tournament has also been held. What do you think about the level of women’s football in East Asia?

“Four East Asian countries, namely Korea Republic, China, Japan, and DPR Korea, have significant potential. I think the key to their development will be what investment they will make going forward.”

―― You were named the player of the tournament of the inaugural Dynasty Cup, the predecessor of the East Asian Cup. In that respect, do you have any special emotions for the competition?

“From the era of the Dynasty Cup through to this competition, East Asia consists of countries with politically, geographically, and culturally difficult relationships among them. Even so, I believe the East Asian Football Federation and the East Asian Cup exist to change that view and create a new framework for the region.”

―― What do you wish the competition to be over the next ten years?

“What we wish to do while the East Asian Football Federation holds the East Asian Cup is to nurture dreams through the competition. The ideal image is for it to be the competition to nurture future dreams. My dream is, for example, to be able to talk with Japanese people in a friendly and comfortable way when I come to Japan and to be able to talk with people in another countries about the future in a good atmosphere when I go there. My dream is to keep such an atmosphere.”

The East Asian Cup 2013 will be held in Korea Republic from the 20th to 28th July. Four teams participate in each tournament: Japan, China, Australia, and Korea Republic for the men’s competition and Japan, China, DPR Korea, and Korea Republic for the women.