'Naturalized' solution to building a contender

Importing naturalized players is all the rage in Asia as countries look for a shortcut to success on the pitch.

China has joined the experiment, with Norway-born Hou Yongyong becoming the nation's first naturalized player when he debuted for Beijing Guo'an in its CFA Super Cup loss to Shanghai SIPG in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, last weekend.

While the long-term implications of the naturalization tactic remain to be seen, Chinese soccer bosses should be applauded for giving it a shot rather than standing idly by as the nation's on-field struggles continue.