The Asia Cup kicks off today and, whilst Sunderland don't have any players competing, it got us thinking; who are Sunderland's greatest players to come from Asia? To be honest this was a pretty comprehensive list because looking back, we haven't actually had many Asian players!
KI SUNG-YUENG
Ki came to us on loan from Swansea and added a touch of class to Gus Poyet's midfield, with excellent passing ability. Born in Gwangju, South Korea, Ki proved invaluable on the way to Wembley and as part of Gus' Great Escape.
His first goal in red and white was the one against Chelsea - where in the last minutes of extra time, he showed great composure to cut inside in the box and fire a low shot past Mark Schwarzer.
Furthermore, the South Korea international coolly dispatched his semi-final penalty, in a shootout of little quality. Ultimately we beat Man United 2-1 in one of the worst penalty shootouts you'll ever see, with Ki playing a huge part of Sunderland reaching Wembley Way.
JI DONG-WON
If it wasn't for *that goal*, Ji would have been an utterly forgetabble player. However, there was one moment that means his name will forever be etched into history. And you know the moment I'm talking about, just by reading his name!
In the very last seconds of a New Year's Day fixture against Man City, Ji was the calmest man in the stadium when he rounded Joe Hart and finished into an empty net. Very few players from that era of SAFC will be talked about for decades to come, not least a striker who scored just twice for us!
Sadly, Ji never fully settled on Wearside - after all he was still a young lad and had only played one full season of professional football in his homeland. Paolo Di Canio seemingly hated Ji and things were no better under Poyet, meaning his stint at Sunderland was somehow strangely both totally disappointing and famously iconic.
BAILEY WRIGHT
This third pick was difficult because we really haven't had many Asians on Wearside. Australia's Asia Cup campaign begins against India tomorrow, so Bailey Wright is on this list. He was a huge fan favourite at Sunderland and formed a formidable partnership with Danny Batth which saw us march to promotion from League One.
He wasn't the best on the ball, and his pace (or lack of) would sometimes let him down, but Bailey was an absolute warrior who always gave 100% for the shirt. That's all we ask for at Sunderland.
Such an experienced and mature defender, Wright is now playing in Singapore with Lion City Sailors FC. He'd be an excellent coach and is always welcome back at the Stadium of Light.
