Hong Kong Football Thread (R)

South China Morning Post

Happy Valley weighing legal action over football ban
Club threatens HKFA over 'unviable' verdict and suspension after game-fixing allegations

Chan Kin-wa

Happy Valley are considering legal action after being suspended by the Hong Kong Football Association for the remainder of the season. The First Division club said on Thursday night that the HKFA's accusation of financial unsustainability was against procedural justice.

"The decision was made without any grounds as we have already put in a HK$2 million deposit in a solicitor's firm for the club's expenses in the second half of the season," said Happy Valley Athletic Association (HVAA) chairman Pui Kwan-kay.

"We have no idea of why they made such an accusation for which they have never provided any justification. We reserve the right to take the case to court."

Last week, the HKFA board approved its ad hoc committee's recommendations, saying the HVAA (the parent body of the Happy Valley soccer team) had not provided evidence to show the club is financially viable.

The committee concluded the club's governance and financial management this season had fallen below the standard expected of a professional team in the First Division and recommended charging the club with bringing the game into disrepute. But the HKFA said it would not make the grounds for the decisions public for reasons of confidentiality and commercially sensitivity.

"This is unacceptable," said Pui, who is also one of the two HKFA vice-chairmen. "If we were punished, we want to know why. We want to know how we bring soccer into disrepute and why we are financially unsound.

"HVAA have been in Hong Kong for more than 60 years and is one of the most established athletic clubs. We are also running many other sports, such as track and field, swimming and basketball, and have all made great contributions to Hong Kong sports as a whole. The accusations have already tarnished our reputation."

He also slammed the HKFA, saying its decisions were legally invalid. "[Our] advice has found the HKFA Articles of Association have not granted the HKFA board to set up any rules which form the base of [these] decisions. This is just a joke," he said.

The Happy Valley saga started in January when six players were arrested by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) for alleged match-fixing. However, the HKFA had stated the ad hoc committee's remit was an investigation into the "viability" of Happy Valley as a club. It would specifically not look at match fixing as that is being investigated by the ICAC.

Tuen Mun were also suspended for failing to show they are a viable club.

 

Fong Pak-Lun helps Yokohama FC (HK) wins 4-1 against Biu Chun Rangers, after this match he will join Shenyang Zhongze in the Chinese Jia League. He was spotted by the Chinese club in the 2013 East Asian Games and Yokohama FC (HK) received a RMB 100,000 transfer fee for him.

Other weekend results:



South China AA 2-2 Sun Pegasus
Kitchee 2-2 Eastern Salon AA
Sunray JC Sunhei 4:3 Citizen AA
Royal Southern District 1-1 ISky Yuen Long

 

South China Morning Post

First Division clubs reveal fears for new Hong Kong Premier League
Representatives express dismay at lack of progress on facilities and quality of refereeing to match top tier competition

Chan Kin-wa

Lack of progress in key areas of preparation is threatening the success of the new Hong Kong Premier League, club executives warned yesterday.

At a First Division meeting yesterday, member clubs expressed disappointment that many changes necessary for the professional league, scheduled to be launched in September, had not been addressed.

"We have been asked to be a professional club in terms of governance and financial sustainability in order to get a licence for the professional league, but at the same time we see little progress in such areas as upgrading facilities and raising the standard of refereeing," said Sunray Cave Sun Hei representative Chung Chi-kwong.

"We all know about the poor quality of venues and their lack of support facilities, and it is clear there is going to be little improvement by the time September comes around. It's like building a big grand house but with nothing inside. This is not fair, considering the clubs' investment."

BC Rangers executive director Philip Lee Fai-lap queried the fee the clubs now have to pay for live television broadcasts of matches.

"I want to know if there will be sponsors paying for it in the new Premier League, but I was disappointed to find out at the meeting that it is very unlikely," he said.

"The clubs are losing money and the broadcast fee is an additional cost for us. We hope the Football Association can help us solve the problems, but it seems they haven't been able to secure commercial sponsorships."

Each club is required to pay HK$240,000 annually for the broadcasts.

Chung said the HKFA's image had been dented by recent developments such as allegations of match-fixing in the league and that this had weakened confidence among all parties with regard to the professional league.

HKFA chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak admitted launching the league would not solve all the game's problems overnight.

"We understand the clubs' concerns. But if we can set aside our differences and work together, given more time and concerted effort from all parties, I am sure Hong Kong soccer has a bright future," he said.

 

What is the description of "success" for the new premier league? Financial profitability? Some quantifiable measure of increased local importance of HK football? Either way, I don't yet see how it will avoid failure.

 

Tampines Rovers 0-5 Kitchee wow. Kitchee is cruising these days.

Also South China 1-3 Ninh Binh

 

South China Morning Post

Project Phoenix needs more funding, urges HKFA chief Mark Sutcliffe
HKFA chief says government must increase spending on project to HK$100 million annually for it to bear fruit and become a big success

Alvin Sallay

Hong Kong Football Association chief Mark Sutcliffe has launched a staunch defence of the much criticised Project Phoenix and urged the government not only to continue its financial support for the sport, but also to increase funding.

Sutcliffe says 22 of Project Phoenix's 33 recommendations have been completed and more cash is needed if these seeds are to bear fruit.

"If Hong Kong football wants to improve and build on the foundation laid by Project Phoenix, it actually needs more resources, not less," said Sutcliffe.

Sutcliffe in a 12-page position statement "The Phoenix is Rising" insists the HKFA has "transformed itself" and is now in the process of "transforming the sport".

"Without continued government support, football in Hong Kong may wither on the vine and that would be disappointing considering the significant progress that has been made. It is important for football that this process not only continues but that it gathers momentum," Sutcliffe said.

The government's three-year Project Phoenix programme comes to a close at the end of October. It has committed HK$60 million with an annual payout of HK$20 million. The government will decide in the next few months whether to continue its support.

It is believed the relevant people in the government are happy with the progress made. In its new five-year plan, the HKFA wants government funding increased to HK$100 million annually.

Project Phoenix got off to a stuttering start in November 2011.

The first HKFA chief executive under the initiative, Gordon McKie, lasted only six months, resulting in Sutcliffe taking over the reins in September 2012. Sutcliffe argues the project has really only been in full swing for just over a year. Reacting to criticism from First Division clubs that they haven't benefitted financially, Sutcliffe said: "The majority of the money was always intended for additional headcount. It was not for football development neither was it envisaged the money would be given directly to the clubs because they are commercial entities and can't be directly funded from taxpayers' money.

"We have completed 22 of the 33 recommendations and made good progress on the others - the project is 80 per cent completed and this is not bad going considering the slow start.

"Many of the completed recommendations relate to 'internal' changes that fall below the public radar ... [while] some of the incomplete recommendations are important and high profile such as the new Premier League and the football training centre [at Tseung Kwan O] where more work has to be done and where implementation is also outside the control of the HKFA and where we need the co-operation of other parties."

"There are difficult challenges to address and it is impossible to transform a sport overnight. But it is an undeniable fact that we have more players at all levels and playing more frequently and at a higher standard.

"This alone should convince people that this initiative is working.

"We know people want to see tangible results. But it takes time to change the culture of a sport as well as its structures and systems. ... other countries that have embarked on a football transformation process have taken 10 years to reap the benefits."

============================================================

HK$100 million a year? Good luck with that.

 

South China Morning Post

'Get Kai Tak going or Hong Kong will be history'
Top sports officials again urge the government to speed up action on the stadium or risk losing events as Singapore unveils acts for new venue

Alvin Sallay

Leading Hong Kong sports officials have again urged the government to get cracking on the Kai Tak Sports Complex, fearing the city will be left behind as Singapore on Thursday unveiled the opening acts for its new venue.

The Singapore Sports Hub has a soft launch in April and officially opens in June, while work has yet to start on Hong Kong's complex.

The new Singapore Sports Hub, featuring a 55,000-seater National Stadium as its centrepiece, has claimed one event from Hong Kong - the rugby World Club 10s tournament.

It has lined up major events from women's tennis and Asian soccer to a Lionel Ritchie concert in April and Taylor Swift in June.

"We were asked to host the rugby World Club 10s in June, but we couldn't make a commitment due to the uncertainty over the Hong Kong Stadium pitch," said Trevor Gregory, Hong Kong Rugby Football Union chairman.

"Now that is gone and there is the potential to lose more events. By the time our sports complex is ready in six years it will be difficult to catch up with Singapore."

Hong Kong Football Association chief executive Mark Sutcliffe was also concerned major events would move to Singapore with the Kai Tak complex scheduled to finish in 2020.

"It is worrying that major sports events may gravitate to Singapore. As 'Asia's world city', Hong Kong cannot be complacent because the world is moving on," Sutcliffe said.

"Hong Kong still has plenty to offer, but we need a co-ordinated sports policy and strategy that places priority on investment if we are not to fall behind.

"The opening of the Sports Hub in Singapore will inevitably attract major events and this should be the catalyst for speeding up the delivery of the Kai Tak project. I have worked in Singapore on consultancy projects and was impressed with the sporting culture and the infrastructure.

"This is because the government there has identified sport as a priority in terms of community health and well-being, but also as one of the 'vehicles' to really put Singapore on the world stage as an attractive place to live, work, invest and visit," Sutcliffe added.

The Singapore Rugby Union has confirmed its interest in hosting the 2019 Sevens World Cup and becoming part of the IRB Sevens World Series. The Women's Tennis Association championships will be held at Indoor Stadium in October and Asean Football Championship matches at National Stadium this year.

"They are best dressed now, while we have an old stadium and are still having difficulties with our pitch. The sad thing is that we could sell the stadium twice over for the Hong Kong Sevens and in this sense it is disappointing to hear that Singapore is gathering such momentum," Gregory said.

 

They still think they can do it by themselves, just need some govt money. They will never give up because they think HK govt is the problem of their failure.

I can get a great club going too if the government give me all the money they are asking for.

 

HKFA Cup:

Biu Chun Ranger 2:0 Wofoo Tai Po

Set to gain promotion back to First Division, Wofoo Tai Po played well against Biu Chun Rangers but lost 2:0. Anyway their cheerleader Lulu (pictured) is very happy about the performance.

 

South China Morning Post

Rangers too strong for Tai Po; Eastern account for Yokohama FC in FA Cup first round

Chan Kin-wa

BC Rangers scored an emphatic 2-0 win over Second Division Wofoo Tai Po in an FA Cup first-round soccer match at Mong Kok Stadium on Sunday.

Tai Po, one of four lower-tier clubs in the competition, failed to offer a serious challenge despite battling hard throughout.

Tommy Chuck drew first blood in first-half stoppage time, connecting with a cross by Law Hiu-chung from the right, while Luciano da Silva added to the tally early in the second half.

Rangers will meet I-Sky Yuen Long in the next round of the competition.

On Saturday, Eastern Salon scored all three of their goals in the first half as they defeated Yokohama FC 3-1 in a Cup match at Mong Kok Stadium.

Former Melbourne Heart striker Dylan Macallister hit a brace with Liang Zicheng scoring the other goal. Kenji Fukuda pulled one back with a header for Yokohama, midway through the second half, but it made little difference to the eventual result as Eastern set up a quarter-final tie against Sunray Cave Sun Hei.

Eastern coach Cristiano Cordeiro admitted his charges failed to keep up the momentum after the break. “I was a player before as you know and I know the players’ mentality well,” said Cordeiro, a two-time Hong Kong Footballer of the Year during his playing career.

“Once you have built up a comfortable lead in the first half, the players tend to relax a bit. But in the end, the final result counts and we are happy to make it through to the last eight.”

Eastern have been given an easy draw as heavyweights South China, Kitchee and Sun Pegasus are all in the other half of the draw, but Cordeiro remained cautious.

“It’s too early to talk about reaching the final. Our next match against Sun Hei will not be easy and in fact there is no easy match against any team here. We have to take it match by match to see how far we can go,” he said.

 

South China Morning Post

Hong Kong hoping for a miracle to qualify for Asian Cup

Chan Kin-wa



Hong Kong need a miracle to qualify for the Asian Cup on Wednesday night, but insist they haven't give up hope as they take on Vietnam.

Hong Kong must win in Hanoi and hope rivals elsewhere all lose to stand a chance of reaching the finals in Australia.

"We know the chance is small but will keep fighting till the end," said coach Kim Pan-gon. "Our target is very clear - to win the match and hopefully we can qualify as the best third-placed team from all groups."

HK would finish third in group E on seven points with a win, but teams in other groups, such as Lebanon and Iraq are better placed to finish as the best third-placed team.

Hong Kong beat Vietnam 1-0 at home when they last met, but Kim admitted they would need to work harder to produce the same result in the away match.

"Our preparation is fine considering we are in the middle of the season and it's difficult to gather the players, but Vietnam are one of the strongest teams in Southeast Asia and will definitely give us a lot of difficulties in front of their home crowd," he said.

Winger Christian Annan has joined the squad after the Kitchee player obtained his Hong Kong passport last month and he provides more attacking options up front. The defence will also be further strengthened with China Super League side Harbin allowing Wisdom Agbo to leave their preseason preparations to join up with the squad.

Midfielder Hwang Yang, winner of the 2013 Footballer of the Year, said: "It's a dream of each Hong Kong player [qualifying for the finals]. We have prepared well and the only goal is to win the match. It will bring positive power to Hong Kong society."

Hanoi has been inundated by heavy rain and fullback Lo Kwan-yee said he hoped they could adapt to the conditions.

 

South China Morning Post



Kitchee move closer to another league title
Runaway leaders thrash Rangers 4-1 to move 12 points clear of South China

Chan Kin-wa

Unbeaten Kitchee moved a big step closer to their third championship in four years after thrashing BC Rangers 4-1 in the RedMR HK First Division soccer competition at Sham Shui Po Sports Ground on Sunday.

Now leading defending champions South China by a huge 12 points, Kitchee need only seven more points from their five remaining matches to seal the title.

Kitchee coach Chu Chi-kwong refused to get carried away, but admitted the result was a timely booster before their AFC Cup campaign against visitors Pune of India in midweek.

"It's too early to talk about the title. We just do it match by match," said Chu, who replaced Spaniard Alex Gomez early in the season.

"We will start playing on two fronts soon and the demanding schedule will be a big challenge."

The coach, however, was not too happy with his team's display.

"The result was fine, but the performance was far from impressive," he said. "We made a lot of inaccurate passes during the match and some players seemed to have lost their concentration on a number of occasions.

"Perhaps they are a bit tired mentally after playing so many games this season. This is my concern and hopefully they won't commit similar mistakes in the regional cup tie as it will cost us dearly against our Asian counterparts."

Rangers are the only team that have beaten Kitchee this season, in the Senior Shield, and on Sunday had a chance to repeat that in the league.

If Chuck Yiu-kwok had converted early in the second half when the score was 1-1, Rangers might have posed a lot more difficulties for their opponents. But Chuck hit the ball straight at the goalkeeper from close range.

Matthew Lam drew first blood for Kitchee just before half time, but Rangers midfielder Miroslav Saric equalised two minutes into the second half.

Kitchee had to wait for almost 30 minutes before second-half substitute Alexander Akande scored a brace to put them back in the lead.

Jorge Tarres added the fourth in stoppage time.



Elsewhere, Sunray Cave Sun Hei upset Sun Pegasus 3-1.

 

South China Morning Post

Kitchee down Citizen and surge closer to league title
Unbeaten leaders need just four points from last four matches to retain crown



Chan Kin-wa

Unbeaten Kitchee need just four more points in their four remaining matches to regain the RedMR First Division title after cruising to a 2-0 victory over Citizen at Tsing Yi Sports Ground yesterday.

With a commanding 15-point lead over defending champions South China, who have two games in hand, they look almost certain to capture their third league title in four seasons.

Even those four points may not be required if South China fail to win their next two games before a top-of-the-table clash between the two sides in mid-April.

"I was a bit worried before the match as the team's recent form has not been too convincing," said head coach Chu Chi-kwong. "But the victory should give us sufficient advantage although we still have to work hard.

"I must pay tribute to my players. We have not lost a game since November 9 and their attitude on the pitch is second to none. We also sacrificed our Christmas holidays knowing there is a demanding schedule in the second half of the season. They all deserve credit."

Chu said they had expected a tough match against Citizen who had a good game against Eastern in their last outing, but an early goal by Diego Cascon settled the team well.

"Our boys played a smarter game than they did against Pune in the AFC Cup and they controlled the pace," said the coach. "They knew when to attack and when to stay behind a bit to conserve their energy."

Forward Christian Annan then gave them a comfortable cushion when he powered home with a low drive in the 36th minute.

Citizen took a more aggressive approach after the break, but Festus Baise, Fernando Pedreira and Sham Kwok-keung all missed chances to close the gap.

At Mong Kok Stadium, Eastern kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the Play-off Cup with a 2-0 win over Yokohama. Goals in the second half through Giovane da Silva and Liang Zicheng put them fourth in the table with 18 points, two behind Sun Pegasus.

 

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_...2&sid=41833305&con_type=1&d_str=20140318&fc=2

The Standard



Lo disputes guilt in Macau graft

Karen Chiu

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Businessman Steven Lo Kit-sing stressed he was innocent after being found guilty of corruption in a luxury land deal in Macau last week.

Tycoon Joseph Lau Luen-hung was also convicted with Lo of bribing a top official in Macau. Lau yesterday stepped down as non-executive director of his retail arm - Lifestyle International Holdings (1212). He has also resigned as chairman of property giant Chinese Estates Holdings (0127).

Both Lo and Lau were convicted on Friday of bribing former Macau public works chief Ao Man-long with HK$20 million in 2005 to secure a land site near Cotai Strip and were sentenced to five years and three months in jail. Ao is serving 28 years in jail.

The former Portuguese enclave has no extradition treaty with Hong Kong and Lo and Lau are unlikely to serve their sentences unless they set foot in Macau.

Lo, 54, said at a press conference yesterday that he has filed an appeal against the verdict handed down by Macau's Court of First Instance, a day after Lau's announcing the move. "I want to reiterate that I have not done the illegal acts stated in the judgment," the chairman of the South China Football Club said, reading a prepared statement to reporters at his office in Causeway Bay yesterday.

Accompanied by his wife Canny Leung Chi-shan and staff, Lo stressed the land in Macau was owned by a private company and the ex-secretary for transport and public works never used his power to influence the result of the land auction. Lo declined to provide any details concerning the case, stressing he is focusing on handling the appeal.

Commenting on another court case in 1999, Lo denied reports that he was dismissed from the charge after not entering Macau for 10 years. He said he was present at the Macau court in 2003.

Shares of Chinese Estates fell 2.1 percent to HK$19.38 yesterday while Lifestyle rose 1.6 percent to HK$15.06.

 

South China Morning Post

Steven Lo faces expulsion from HKFA, Jockey Club if appeal against conviction fails

Businessman declares his innocence in Macau corruption case; both he and Joseph Lau file appeals against their conviction and jail sentence

Chan Kin-wa, Alan Aitken and Phila Siu

High-profile businessman Steven Lo Kit-sing faces expulsion from the city's Football Association (HKFA) and Jockey Club if he fails to win an appeal against his jail term for corruption and money laundering in Macau.

The chairman of entertainment company BMA Investment protested his innocence yesterday. "I want to reiterate that I have not done the illegal acts stated in the judgment," he read from a written statement without answering any questions.

Lo and developer Joseph Lau Luen-hung, ex-chairman of Chinese Estates, filed appeals with the Macau courts after they were each given a jail term of five years and three months on Friday. They were found guilty of paying a HK$20 million bribe to Macau's disgraced public works minister Ao Man-long in 2005 to secure land near the airport for a luxury residential project, La Scala.

Lo said yesterday: "Former public works chief Ao Man-long never used his power to influence the result of the land auction."

Lo is one of two vice- chairmen on the HKFA board of directors. According to the association, any director guilty of criminal charges would be disqualified.

A source close to the board said it was not taking any action for the time being as Lo had lodged an appeal.

"He is still innocent at this stage," the source said. "But the board should discuss the matter sooner rather than later, because it is affecting the reputation of Hong Kong soccer."

HKFA chief executive Mark Sutcliffe said he had just returned from holiday and preferred not to comment "until I have reviewed all of the news and spoken to the directors".

Lo is also convenor of First Division side South China and the club's parent body, South China Athletic Association. The association's chairman, Duffy Wong Chun-nam, said: "We will discuss [Lo's position in the club] as soon as possible."

The Jockey Club declined to comment until Lo's appeal options were exhausted or abandoned.

However, a senior club official said the rules were "fairly straightforward" in that anyone with a criminal conviction could not be a member, and that only members were eligible to hold an owner's permit.

Neither Lo nor Lau were in Macau when Judge Augusto Silvestre delivered the verdict and sentence. Since Hong Kong and Macau have not signed an extradition agreement, they will not be jailed as long as they do not enter the former Portuguese enclave within the 15-year period that their penalties will be in force.

"The validity period is different for different cases, depending on the severity [of the crime]," University of Macau law professor Lok Wai-kin said.

Lo and Lau had two channels of appeal, first to the Court of Second Instance and, if that failed, to the Court of Final Appeal, Lok said.

On Friday, Judge Silvestre said Lau "has always had control of Moon Ocean", a company that won the bidding for the five plots of land near the airport.

It appeared to contradict statements issued by Chinese Estates in 2005 and 2011, when a subsidiary of the company bought shares of Moon Ocean. The statements said the "ultimate beneficial owner" was an independent third party of Moon Ocean.

The Securities and Futures Commission has the authority to check whether Chinese Estates has given false statements. It is understood the commission has not initiated an investigation.

 

Weekend Results:

Eastern Salon 4:2 Sunhei SC
Sun Pegasus 4:0 ISky Yuen Long

Citizen 2:2 Biu Chun Rangers
Yokohama FC (HK) 2:2 Royal Southern District

 

South China Morning Post

Yokohama still bottom despite salvaging a draw with Southern
Cellar dwellers are not worried about position because no clubs will be relegated



Chan Kin-wa

They have just 10 points with only four games left to improve their situation.

Japanese forward Kenji Fukuda, who won the MVP award for February, headed home the equaliser and his 10th league goal in the 70th minute.

With no teams being relegated this season, the 36-year-old expatriate was not too worried about their league position and said their target was to help develop the team's youngsters.

"The result so far is not too encouraging, but it does not matter," said Fukuda, who is just a goal behind Giovane da Silva, Juan Belencoso and Admir Rascic, who have all netted 11 so far.

"We have many quality up-and-coming players who are making good progress match by match and one or two years from now, I am sure these young players will be playing in the leagues in China or even Japan, just like Fong Pak-lun, who is now playing in China League One."

He earmarked Leung Kwun-chung, who also scored for Yokohama yesterday, and Leung's younger brother Leung Nok-hang, Tan Chun-lok and Au Yeung Yiu-chung as having a bright future.

Fukuda blamed himself for missing two clear-cut chances yesterday.

"I hit the crossbar in the first half and then came close to scoring again with a header after the break," he said. "We tried to win, but in the end we had to settle for the draw."

Southern coach Fung Hoi-man was satisfied with the point.

"We were twice in the lead, but then our defence committed mistakes and allowed them to come back," he said.

Yago Gonzalez put them ahead as early as the third minute before Leung's free kick equalised for Yokohama minutes after the break. Centre half Ruben Lopez then scored his first goal of the season to put Southern back in front but Fukuda's header cancelled out Lopez's effort. Yokohama's Tan was sent off for a second booking with five minutes left.



At Sham Shui Po Sports Ground, BC Rangers and Citizen drew 2-2.

 

HKFA Cup Round of 16:

Sun Pegasus 2:3 South China

South China was 0-2 down in the first half. Chan Siu Ki's introduction in the second half turn the game around for South China.

 

South China Morning Post

Barisic scores late winner to complete South China comeback
Caroliners surge back from two goals down to edge Sun Pegasus in FA Cup

Chan Kin-wa

South China scored a morale-boosting 3-2 victory over Sun Pegasus, thanks to a stoppage-time goal by Australian striker Andrew Barisic in a FA Cup round-of-16 match at Mong Kok Stadium onTuesday night.

The Caroliners were in trouble after trailing by two goals in the first half, but they scored three times after the break to register their first win in six matches under new coach Yeung Ching-kwong, who took up the job last month.

Barisic saluted his team on their comeback in front of a 2,000-strong crowd. "I was just the right man at the right time," he said. "It's not me but the whole team who deserve credit.

"We knew it was going to be tough against Pegasus and after trailing by two goals in the first half, we had to give it everything, but we did it in the end."

Coach Yeung was a relieved man. "In the first half, we were outclassed by our opponents and should have conceded more than two goals," he said. "But fortunately we never gave up and the players kept working hard for each other in the second half.

"This is an important win for both the players and the coaching staff as we finally broke the drought. But we have to work even harder as we still have the AFC Cup and the domestic front. The victory will certainly lift morale and restore our confidence for the coming matches."

South China will face another tough battle in the next round as they are likely to meet heavyweights Kitchee. The latter will play Football Club, one of the four teams from the junior division, in another first-round match at Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday night.

Pegasus, who were also beaten by South China in the Senior Shield final, took the lead after 10 minutes. A fast break saw Jaimes McKee free on the right, and his cross was only half cleared by South China defender Sean Tse Ka-keung. Ju Yingzhi made no mistake with a low drive. McKee then added to the tally, tapping home Tang King-wong's header from the left.

The second half was a different story as South China threw themselves forward. An accurate long ball by Carlos Bertoldi picked out Lee Hong-lim on the right, who crossed for Barisic to score.

Barisic was brought down by So Wai-chuen inside the box and Sasa Kajkut scored from the penalty spot to equalise.

At the death, Barisic picked up Dhiego Martin's pass and made no mistake to complete a memorable night for the Caroliners.

 

Weekend results:



Sun Pegasus 5:2 Eastern Salon AA
Sunhei 3:1 Yokohama FC (HK)
ISky Yuen Long 2:1 Citizen AA

Biu Chun Rangers vs South China postponed due to waterlogging.

 

South China Morning Post

Pegasus boost hopes of reaching Play-off Cup
Decisive victory over Eastern sees number two on the table with 26 points

Chan Kin-wa

Sun Pegasus took an important step towards reaching the season-ending Play-off Cup after thrashing Eastern 5-2 in the RedMR First Division at Mong Kok Stadium yesterday.

The victory gave Pegasus 26 points and second place in the table. With only three matches to go, Pegasus look likely to qualify for the event, which will decide the second AFC Cup spot for 2015, along with the league champions.

"We never expected to win by such a margin, but I must say the team improved a lot from their last match against South China," said coach Chan Chi-hong.

"Our defence was fully focused and kept the ball well without wasting energy, unlike the way we played against South China."

After losing 3-2 to South China in the FA Cup first round last week, Pegasus made no mistake this time.

An early goal by Yip Tsz-chun in the second minute set the tone for Pegasus, followed by Jaimes McKee's effort in first-half stoppage to give them a comfortable cushion.

The Hong Kong international completed a brace with a second-half goal after Ju Yingzhi and Admir Rascic had also found the target for Pegasus.

Eastern's Giovane da Silva at one stage closed the gap to 3-1, picking up his 12th league goal of the season and tying with Rascic in the top scorer table, while Roberto Fronza scored a consolation for Eastern in the closing stages.

"We gave them too much space, but there was little we could do as we had to chase all the way from behind since conceding an early goal," said Eastern coach Cristiano Cordeiro.

Meanwhile, Yokohama's woes continued with a 3-1 defeat by Sunray Cave Sun Hei at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground and they remain at the bottom of the table, while I-Sky Yuen Long scored a 2-1 victory over visitors Citizen.

The home team had Yan Wai-hong sent off.

 

Sunhei SC 0:2 Kitchee

Southern District 1:1 South China

Biu Chun Rangers 0:1 ISky Yuen Long

Yokohama FC (HK) 3:2 Citizen AA

Kitchee are champions of the 2013-14 Hong Kong First Division League. They will now focus on winning the group in AFC Cup and HKFA Cup.

 

South China Morning Post

Kitchee win third league title in four years after victory over Sun Hei
The only unbeaten side in the league were crowned champions with three rounds left

Chan Kin-wa

Kitchee lifted their third championship in four years yesterday after beating Sunray Cave Sun Hei 2-0 in the RedMR First Division at Tsing Yi Sports Ground.

The only unbeaten side in the league were crowned champions with three rounds left, after rivals South China were earlier held to a 1-1 draw by Royal Southern.

The Caroliners, who have 24 points and five matches left, cannot catch the runaway leaders, who are on 41 points.

"We are not celebrating yet because we still have the FA Cup and AFC Cup as our targets this season," said head coach Chu Chi-kwong, who replaced Spaniard Alex Gomez in November.

"We knew we had a great chance to wrap the title up tonight after South China were held by Southern, but I have told the players we still have to work hard for the rest of the season.

"However, I must congratulate the players. We have not lost a match since the defeat by Rangers in early November."

Kitchee are in the FA Cup quarter-finals and will meet South China next Sunday for a place in the last four.

In the AFC Cup, Kitchee, who have already qualified for the knockout stage, host Tampines Rovers of Singapore on Tuesday and a draw would give them top spot in group H and home advantage for the one-off round of 16.

The coach paid special tribute to attacking midfielder Lam Ka-wai and centre-half Fernando Recio.

"All players had a good season, but the duo, one in attack and one in defence, have been outstanding."

Lam settled the match yesterday in stoppage time. Left back Daniel Cancela opened the scoring early with a low drive.

South China, meanwhile, left for Hanoi after their match in Aberdeen to prepare for a crucial AFC Cup tie against Vissai Ninh Binh of Vietnam on Tuesday. They must win the match to keep their hopes alive of reaching the knockout stage.

 

South China Morning Post

Soccer academy held up by cost concerns and red tape

Funds were originally set aside in 2003 but there is no completion date and 38 government departments to deal with before construction

Chan Kin-wa

A decade after funds were set aside for the long-overdue Tseung Kwan O soccer academy there is still no completion date and bureaucracy may even stall the start of construction on a landfill site for another year.

The construction cost has soared to more than HK$700 million from the original HK$103 million set aside by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 2003, and there is little indication of when construction will actually begin.

Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (pictured) said some 38 government departments would be involved before construction could start on a 9.6-hectare landfill site in New Territories East.

"Building on landfill is a much more complicated issue and, from my recollections, there are 38 departments who have to be consulted," he said.

"In three to four weeks, we can sit together with the Hong Kong Football Association and the government's Home Affairs Bureau to map out the progress of the academy ... and I don't think you can expect the project to start within the next year."

Sometimes we have to build things in steps and maybe a HK$600 million, HK$700 million or HK$800 million project will be very difficult as you need some HK$20 million to HK$40 million for operations

Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges

He said the meeting would address the basic needs of the academy and whatever was decided could not be acted upon immediately.

Coupled with the construction hurdles, there were also concerns over the operational cost, said Engelbrecht-Bresges. The HKFA, which will manage the facility, would need to provide a sustainable model.

"The HKFA has to review their operational requirements," he said. "Sometimes we have to build things in steps and maybe a HK$600 million, HK$700 million or HK$800 million project will be very difficult as you need some HK$20 million to HK$40 million for operations. Maybe you have to scale it in phases to a manageable operational cost, so that you can't always rely on government grants.

"We want to support football, but we do have to be systematic. That's why we will ask for a phased approach. We think a smaller project in the beginning, as well as limiting your operational cost, is a good step to allow to expand it at a later stage."

Engelbrecht-Bresges also remained cautious about a new proposal by the HKFA of building four pitches as soon as possible - two artificial and two grass - as an interim solution.

"They threw this idea of temporary facilities and they can do what they think is for their best interests," he said. "If they think they can find a quicker solution, we would definitely not stand in the way … but we would prefer going through a systematic process and not jump into something where you really don't know in the end what it will cost."

HKFA chief executive Mark Sutcliffe said the project was progressing, albeit at a slower pace than they would like.

"It is a complicated development," he said. "Yes, there is a long way to go. But since this centre is vital to the future of soccer in Hong Kong, we will continue to work with the Jockey Club and the government to bring it to fruition no matter how long it takes."

The academy is a key recommendation of the government's "Dare to Dream" policy and was a high priority for the HKFA, Sutcliffe said.