WHERE most young footballers aspire to further their careers in Europe, Ghanaian striker Kwabena Appiah-Kubi felt at home in Japan this week because thatââ¬â¢s where he wants to be.
The 21-year-old, who was born in Australia, first fell in love with the Land of the Rising Sun when his home club Western Sydney Wanderers made a pre-season trip to Asia last year.
Coming back for the clubââ¬â¢s Asian Champions League match against Kawasaki Frontale this week only strengthened the notion in his mind that this is where he wants to ply his trade one day.
ââ¬ÅAs soon as I got to Japan and played the first game against Shimizu S Pulse I knew that Japan was a place that I want to play one day in my career,â⬠Kwabena told The Daily Telegraph.
ââ¬ÅI just love this place, itââ¬â¢s beautiful, the fans are football mad and the quality on the pitch is just outstanding.
ââ¬ÅDefinitely one day Iââ¬â¢d like to be playing for a team in Japan.ââ¬
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has been in Japan and Korea checking up on the fortunes of Australians in the J-League and K-League and called in to the Todoroki Athletics Stadium to watch the Wanderers on Tuesday night.
He was said to be impressed with Appiah-Kubi, particularly in the first half when the Wanderers werenââ¬â¢t as bogged down in their defensive half and the striker was able to, as he puts it, to ââ¬Åexpress myselfâ⬠more.
His teammates joke that two of his best performances of the season have come in the last two games against Kawasaki because heââ¬â¢s trying to impress in order to secure a move there.
But for now heââ¬â¢s in no rush.
ââ¬ÅI signed a new deal in the pre-season, an extension for another year, so Iââ¬â¢m here until at least the end of next season,â⬠he said.
ââ¬ÅAt the momentà my mind is just set on trying to cement a starting spot here, improving every day under Poppa (coach Tony Popovic) and (assistant) Ante (Milicic).ââ¬
Appiah-Kubi wouldnââ¬â¢t want to leave so soon anyway.
After all, he is living the dream playing for his hometown club.
Appiah-Kubi bleeds the red and black of the Wanderers, but there was a time not so long ago that through necessity he was blue â⬔ the Sky Blue of Sydney FC.
ââ¬ÅMe and my mates used to always go to Sydney games,â⬠he admits without a momentââ¬â¢s hesitation.
ââ¬ÅWeââ¬â¢d sit in The Cove, take our shirts off and wrap them around our faces and everything. At that time Poppa was playing for them as well, so itââ¬â¢s funny how it changes.ââ¬