Hong Kong Football Thread (R)

HKFA confirmed that it is in talks to bring Argentina national football team to Hong Kong on 14 oct 2014, to celebrate its centenary. As Argentina will play Brazil in Beijing on 10 Oct 2014, it is likely that they will accept if the money is right. HKFA will apply to the govt's Mega Event Fund for financial support, hopefully the deal can be signed soon, because if Argentina wins the World Cup, the asking price will no doubt increase.

 

Villareal of La Liga is visiting Hong Kong again on 28 May 2014 as guests of Biu Chun Rangers. The last time they were in HK they beat Kitchee 3-0 (pic).

 

South China Morning Post

Hong Kong under-23s aim to impress against Newcastle United and Guangzhou Evergrande at Soccer Sevens
Chelsea, Manchester City and Aston Villa youngsters will also be in action at Hong Kong Football Club in May

Chan Kin-wa

Hong Kong international Wong Wai is looking forward to an improved performance in his second year at the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens, which celebrates its 15th anniversary next month.

The Yokohama forward will be part of the Hong Kong Under-23 side at the annual tournament, which also features big Premier League names such as Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and reigning Asian Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande.

"We barely made it to the next round last year when playing for the Under-21 side, hopefully it will be better this time," said Wong.

"The most important thing for seven-a-side is to fully utilise the ground space as there is no offside rule.

"And after making my debut last year, I think I can adapt to it better. Also, the individual techniques of each player are also important, but you can find fine qualities in most of the Hong Kong players."

The tournament will also be part of their build-up for the Incheon Asian Games, which begin in October.

At Wednesday's official draw, the under-23s were drawn against Newcastle, hosts Hong Kong Football Club and debutants Evergrande in group A.

"I understand Guangzhou will be sending a young side to the tournament, but still it won't be easy as the mainlanders are always quick with strong physiques," said Wong.

"Our target is to finish top of the group so that we can make it to the cup competition in the next round."

Four groups are in the main tournament, with a total of 16 teams. In group D, defending champions Leicester City will meet Aston Villa, the Hong Kong Under-21 side and Yau Yee League Select. Newly crowned Hong Kong champions Kitchee, who won the title in 2011, are in group C where they will face Chelsea, Sunderland and the HKFC Captain's Select.

The masters tournament, with players over 35, has 12 teams in three groups. The annual extravanganza will be held at Hong Kong Football Club on May 23-25. Matches are seven minutes each way and increases to 10 minutes in the knockout stages.<br />

DRAW
Main Tournament
Group A: Newcastle United (ENG), Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN), HKFA U-23 (HKG), Hong Kong Football Club (HKG)
Group B: Chelsea (ENG), Sunderland (ENG), Kitchee (HKG), HKFC Captain’s Select (HKG)
Group C: Manchester City (ENG), Rangers (SCO), HKFA Qualifier (HKG), Singapore Cricket Club (SIN)
Group D: Leicester City (ENG), Aston Villa (ENG), HKFA U-21 (HKG), Yau Yee League Select (HKG)

Masters Tournament
Group A: Rangers Legends (SCO), Wallsend Boys Club (ENG), USRC (HKG), Kowloon Cricket Club (HKG)
Group B: Aegon Ajax All Stars (NED), Eastern Salon (HKG), HKFC Chairman’s Select (HKG), HKFC Veterans (HKG)
Group C: Citibank All Stars (INT), Nottingham Forest Mobsters (ENG), KFC Tokyo (JPN), SCC Tigers (SIN)

 

FIFA President Joseph Blatter will visit Hong Kong at the end of the month for the unveiling of the renovated HKFA offices and to chair the EAFF meeting.

 

South China Morning Post

Kitchee close in on third FA Cup final in a row after beating South China on penalties
Rivals finish 0-0 after 120 minutes; Kitchee now face BC Rangers in semi-finals

Chan Kin-wa

Kitchee moved a major step closer to their second trophy of the season after dumping rivals South China out of the FA Cup yesterday.

Despite many close chances, neither side were able to break the deadlock in the quarter-final tie in normal and extra time; Kitchee, who have sewn up the league title already this term, triumphed on penalties 3-1.

They now meet BC Rangers for a place in their third consecutive FA Cup final – they won both the previous two.

Rangers beat I-Sky Yuen Long 5-4 on penalties after they also both failed to score after 120 minutes.

“We did expect the penalty situation because the two teams are very close, and practised spot-kicks during training,” said Kitchee acting head coach Chu Chi-kwong.

“Our players were therefore very confident, especially the goalkeeper who had studied hard South China players’ penalty preferences before the match. In the end, our effort paid off.

“It was a tense match because both sides wanted to open the scoring first. South China pressed us hard in the first half and created more chances, especially when Fernando Recio was taken off injured. But the players showed great composure, hanging in there and gradually getting back after the break.”

Kitchee started the game without their prolific striker Juan Belencoso, out with a back injury. Coupled with Recio’s injury midway through the first half, the coach has worries for their AFC Cup round of 16 tie.

“Recio was sent to hospital and we don’t know the situation yet. He showed great pain in his arm and hopefully it is just a joint dislocation, while Belencoso is under intensive treatment,” said Chu.

In the presence of their convenor Steven Lo Kit-sing, who turned up to watch his side for the first time since he was found guilty of money laundering and corruption by a Macau Court last month, South China had more control in the first half.

Striker Chan Siu-ki, who replaced injured Sasa Kajkut in the 31st minute, came close to scoring when he knocked a Andre Barisic cross against the post while Dhiego Martins also headed wide of target in front of a 3,100-strong crowd.

Kitchee striker Jorge Tarres hit the post in the closing stages of the second half while Alexander Akande twice saved Kitchee in extra time, clearing a Barisic header off the line then doing the same from a close-range shot from Lee Chi-ho.

In the penalty shoot-out, South China missed three out of four. Vincent Weijl blasted high over the bar while Lee Hong-lim and Carlos Bertoldi both had shots saved by Kitchee goalkeeper Guo Jiangqiao. Only Barisic found the target.

Kitchee only had Jang Kyung-jin miss; Tarres, Diego Cascon and Christian Annan all scored.

South China coach Yeung Ching-kwong was pleased with the performance but obviously not the outcome.

“We missed a couple of chances and it was a bit disappointing,” said Yeung. “The players have made some progress, especially in our defence but there is always room for improvement.”

Yeung said they still heard nothing from the Asian Football Confederation regarding the situation of Vissai Ninh Binh. Reports said the Vietnamese side yesterday announced their withdrawal from the V-League and the AFC Cup due to match-fixing scandals. Ninh Binh are leaders of the group with 13 points.

If the Vietnamese side pull out of the tournament, South China can make it to the AFC Cup knockout round provided they beat Kelantan of Malaysia at home on April 22.

 

South China Morning Post

Call to delay Hong Kong Stadium closure to host Liverpool visit
Local soccer chief Brian Leung seeks government review of renovation plan to pave way for trip by the Reds next summer

Chan Kin-wa

The Hong Kong Football Association will push the government to reconsider a renovation plan for Hong Kong Stadium to accommodate a proposed visit by Premier League giants Liverpool next summer.

The hottest team in Europe, Liverpool are four games away from winning their first league championship in 24 years. The club took command of a thrilling title race with a dramatic and emotionally charged 3-2 victory over Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

HKFA chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak said Liverpool, who have a strong fan base in Hong Kong, were keen to visit in their preseason in 2015, but the government planned to close the 40,000-seat venue next year after the annual Rugby Sevens in March.

"Liverpool have repeatedly expressed their interest in coming to Hong Kong and next summer will be the best time because there are no World Cup finals, no European Championship finals and no Olympic Games, so they can send their best team," said the soccer chief.

"But as far as we understand, the government is planning to replace the pitch's drainage system next year and it may take one year to finish the project before it reopens for the 2016 Rugby Sevens.

"We know it's important to improve the grass pitch conditions at the Hong Kong Stadium after what happened during the Asia Trophy last summer, but it is also important for us to bring top-class soccer to Hong Kong and it's very difficult to secure a time slot for a team like Liverpool."

It is believed the sponsor of Liverpool, Standard Chartered Bank, is keen to bring the Reds to Hong Kong due to the bank's strong presence in the community here.

Leung said the authorities could consider conducting the improvement work in phases or simply shorten the period, so they can accommodate the match in late July or early August in 2015.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which manages the facility in So Kon Po, said it is planning full reconstruction of the Hong Kong Stadium turf pitch in 2015 and is working out the details of the project, including the works schedule.

"The timing of the major events to be held at the stadium and the optimal season for turf establishment will be taken into account," it said.

Liverpool last visited Hong Kong in 2007 as one of the three representatives from the Premier League in the Asia Trophy. They beat Hong Kong champions South China 3-1 in the first round, but lost to Portsmouth in the final after a penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw in 90 minutes.

Sunday's victory gave Liverpool a two-point lead over Chelsea and moved them seven clear of Manchester City, who have two games in hand.

 

FIFA president Sepp Blatter is in Hong Kong to help celebrate HKFA's centenary. He is seen here meeting HKFA chairman Brian Leung. HKFA hosted a dinner banquet that also includes guests such as HK Chief Executive Leung Chun-Ying.

 

Left to right: HKFA Chairman Brian Leung, Home Affairs Secretary Tsang Tak-Shing, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, Chief Executive Leung Chun-Ying, HKFA President Timothy Fok and someone I don't know... all in HK to celebrate the HKFA Centenary.

 

Kitchee is going to play Paris St. Germain in a friendly on 29 July 2014. More details will arrive soon.

With Sweden out of the World Cup, Ibrahimovic is likely to feature. But Edinson Cavani and a few others may not show up...

 

Hong Kong First Division League:

South China 0:0 Sunhei SC

The draw means South China is level with Sun Pegasus on 29 points, but due to the fact of poor match results between the two clubs, South China is third. Sunhei is 6th. The 4th to 8th clubs are still fighting for a slot in the AFC Cup play-offs.

 

South China Morning Post

Admir Rascic an inspiration to Sun Pegasus, says coach Chan

Bosnian striker, top scorer in the league with 14 goals, hailed as club finish second overall in the league on the final day of the campaign

Chan Kin-wa kinwa.chan@scmp.com

Sun Pegasus coach Chan Chi-hong hailed striker Admir Rascic as their key to success as they finished first runners-up in the RedMR First Division, ahead of defending champions South China.

They beat BC Rangers 1-0 at Mong Kok Stadium on the final day of the season yesterday to end the season with 32 points, tied with the Caroliners, who overcame Citizen 3-2 in another match at Hong Kong Stadium. But Sun Pegasus took second place as they have a better head-to-head record.

Rascic, the league's top scorer with 14 goals, did not score yesterday as youngster Chan Pak-hang's goal in the 10th minute made the difference, but it was Rascic's attitude that impressed his coach.

"While no one would doubt his scoring prowess, Rascic is a player who can inspire his teammates with his great attitude," said the coach of the former Bosnian international. "He always gives his best on the field." Rascic, who has already earned a new contract for next season, attributed his success to his teammates. "I cannot do anything without the help of my fellow players," said the-32-year-old, who arrived in Hong Kong last summer.

While the league is over, there is still the Play-Off Cup left to play, which will decide the other berth for representing Hong Kong in the 2015 AFC Cup.

South China were the first to qualify in the four-team tournament as the Senior Shield champions, along with Sun Pegasus and Southern, the first runners-up and fourth-placed team in the league.

Eastern Salon, who were beaten 1-0 by I-Sky Yuen Long yesterday, can still claim the final spot if they beat Kitchee in the FA Cup final on Sunday. If not, the place will go to fifth-placed BC Rangers.

Citizen, meanwhile, have decided not to join the Premier League next season. Chairman Pui Kwan-kay said they felt let down by the way the Football Association handled the case of suspending Happy Valley.

 

Citizen will not apply for professional club license in 2014-15 and will dissolve. Chairman Pei Kwan-Kei will assist those players that want to transfer to other clubs.

South China seems unlikely to renew its convener contract with Steven Lo, who is in legal trouble with the Macau authorities. Its players and former coaches all gathered for a group photograph at the end of their match.

Wofoo Tai Po has gained promotion back to division one and there is rumour that many of its former players will return to the club, including Christian Annan, Lee Wai-Lim and Lee Hong-Lim, even Chan Siu-Ki.

 

South China's group photo. This maybe the end of an era.

 

It is revealed in Metro Newspaper today that South China Athletic Association has terminated the convener contract with Steven Lo. SCAA will now look for another convener or sponsors, for the first time they will permit a sponsor to become the club's title sponsor. So if XYZ becomes South China sponsor, the name will read South China XYZ.

But if no convener or sponsors are found, then the association will commit $12 million to the club so that it can be competitive in the first Premier League season.

There is a rumour that Steven Lo will take his money and players with him to Tai Po FC, especially those players who signed management contracts with his company BMA. Those who signed only player contracts will be free to go.

 

Is this big news for Tai Po?

 

If it is really news. But right now it is a rumour.

 

South China Morning Post

Tough test for Kitchee in regional matchup
Indonesian side Arema arrive with strong foreign roster for AFC Cup round of 16 clash

Chan Kin-wa

Kitchee will be boosted by the return of reliable centre defender Fernando Recio (left). Photo: Felix Wong

Local soccer champions Kitchee face their toughest test in their bid for regional honours when they take on Arema of Indonesia in the AFC Cup round of 16 at Mong Kok Stadium tonight.

After ending the domestic league unbeaten at the weekend, Kitchee have a demanding schedule, facing the Indonesians and then Eastern Salon in the FA Cup final on Sunday.

Arema beat Kitchee 2-0 at the same stage of the tournament two years ago and arrive packing a large foreign legion.

Their attacking duo are Brazilian Alberto da Costa and former Uruguay player Cristian Gonzales, now a naturalised Indonesian international, while midfielder Gustavo Lopez is a veteran of the Argentine Primera Division. Their defence includes Thierry Gathuessi of Cameroon and Victor Igbonefo, a Nigerian-born naturalised Indonesian considered one of the best defenders in the country.

"We have done some analysis on the visitors through video footage and there is no doubt they are a quality side, especially their attacking power," said head coach Chu Chi-kwong. "We will put more emphasis on our defence and try to hold them before launching fast breaks. But still it is not going to be easy because we have relied heavily on ground movement and the recent adverse weather will probably make the pitch very difficult for us."

Fullback Lo Kwan-yee also added: "Although we have the home ground advantage, we will probably start as underdog. We learnt a lesson two years ago of underestimating them and will not make the same mistake."

The good news for Kitchee is the return of reliable centre defender Fernando Recio, who has recovered from a dislocated arm.

 

https://hk.news.yahoo.com/煞科戰別球迷-下屆不續約-羅傑承-下山-南華或棄港職聯-215818831.html

This report more or less confirmed that Steven Lo will not be the convener of South China FC any longer after the end of this season. (South China still has to play in the 2015 AFC Cup HK qualifiers.)

 

South China Morning Post



Early brace enough to fire Kitchee into the quarter-finals
Jang Kyung-jin and Lam Ka-wai the scorers as Hong Kong side overcome Indonesia's Arema at Mong Kok Stadium

Chan Kin-wa

Kitchee reached the AFC Cup quarter-finals for the second year in a row after defeating visitors Arema of Indonesia 2-0 before a fired-up crowd at Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday night.

A two-goal blast in the space of five minutes early in the first half settled the one-off tie, with centre half Jang Kyung-jin and Lam Ka-wai the scorers. Jang's header, from Lam's corner kick in the fifth minute, was also the first goal the South Korean defender has scored since joining Kitchee in January.

Midfield powerhouse Lam then added to the tally with a solo effort from the left, cheering a strong crowd of 4,000, including several hundred Indonesian supporters, who chanted throughout the match despite the defeat of the visitors.

"We know they are very strong on attack but there were some loopholes in their defence which we took full advantage of it," said Lam, a Hong Kong international and a strong contender for the Footballer of the Year award.

"We worked very well as a unit tonight, both local players and expatriates, and now we can set our sights on reaching at least the semi-finals following such a spirited performance."

Kitchee lost to Al Faisaly of Jordan, 4-2 on aggregate, in last year's quarter-finals, but Lam said he was confident of surpassing that milestone. The draw for the quarter-finals will be made on May 28.



Arema had lots of support last night.

Arema's legion of foreign players failed to impress, especially in the second half when they seemed to be running out of stamina. Brazilian striker Alberto da Costa, top scorer in the Indonesia Super League two years ago, looked lacklustre and was substituted after the break.

Kitchee's acting head coach Chu Chi-kwong was proud of his team's performance, but admitted their opponents might have been hampered by the condition of the pitch following days of heavy downpours.

"We took two opportunistic goals in the early period, which gave us sufficient confidence," said Chu. "Our fitness level dropped in the second period but the boys were still able to keep possession well, hanging in there until the end."

Arema coach Suharno blamed lapses of concentration in the opening stages, the two early goals making it difficult for his players to recover.

"We conceded two goals in the first 10 minutes as the players were not disciplined and focused enough," he said.

"Also we had problems adapting to the pitch."

 

South China Morning Post



Goodbye, Mr. Lo.

Steven Lo's departure 'won't affect South China'

Hong Kong giants remain committed to the cause and will continue to spend big despite convenor leaving after eight years at the helm

Chan Kin-wa

Powerhouses South China confirmed the departure of Steven Lo Kit-sing on Wednesday, but insisted they will remain one of Hong Kong's top teams.

South China Athletic Association, the club's parent body, said it was in discussion with potential candidates to replace Lo, their big-spending soccer convenor for the past eight years who was found guilty of corruption and money laundering by a Macau court in March.

"Lo will leave our soccer section at the end of the month. This is his own decision," said SCAA chairman Duffy Wong Chun-nam. "We want to put on record our thanks for his contribution over these years and also assure our fans South China will continue to support Hong Kong soccer, no matter who is in charge of the soccer section.

"No one should doubt our commitment to the sport in Hong Kong as there is a long tradition of soccer in South China. We hope to announce some good news very soon."

It is believed Wallace Cheung Kwong-yung, chairman of oil equipment and technology company AET (Asia), is a leading candidate. His company sponsored the Lunar New Year tournament this year and brought Paraguay to Hong Kong for a friendly in 2010.

A source close to Cheung's camp said yesterday they were in talks but nothing had been agreed. "Cheung is interested in promoting soccer in Hong Kong and South China are a well-established club with a long tradition. We are trying to work out something," the source said.

Lo's departure came as little surprise. He was given a jail term of five years and three months after being 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.

He has been granted a leave of absence by the Hong Kong Football Association, of which he is one of two vice-chairmen. Lo had said earlier he would appeal against the verdict.

"We don't want to speculate [on the reasons for] his decision, but he has made a great contribution to the club," said Wong.

SCAA provides HK$5.5 million to support its soccer section each season. The convenor will have to boost that to have a team strong enough to challenge in the inaugural Premier League. Lo said the club had an average annual budget of HK$20 million under his reign.

Lo helped steer the team to four consecutive league championships from 2006 to 2010, and another in 2013. He also took South China to the AFC Cup semi-final in 2009 - which saw a full house at the 40,000-seater Hong Kong Stadium - and shelled out huge sums to bring former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman and Manchester United star midfielder Nicky Butt to the club in 2011.

 

AET Asia's Wallace Cheung Kwong-Yung (right in above picture, if it isn't obvious...). His company is a sponsor of the Paraguay national football team and he brought them to Hong Kong to play us once, I think back in 2009.

He also sponsored this year's Lunar New Year Cup which Citizen AA won. Citizen AA will dissolve soon (if not already) and he will be free to take his sponsorship elsewhere.

 

Why?

 

Because its chairman Pei Kwan-Kei does not believe Citizen AA, which he considers to be an amateur club, will be competitive in the new Premier League. As it was, Citizen AA finished second from bottom this season.

 

Eastern AA won the HKFA Cup final with a 120 minute goal from Giovanni. The club will award HK$1 million to its players and invite them on an overseas leisure trip.

It is the first trophy the club has won since the Silver Challenge Shield some seven years ago.

 

South China Morning Post

Eastern Salon clinch dramatic Cup win over Kitchee with last-gasp goal
Da Silva scores a last-gasp goal to stun champs Kitchee in FA Cup final

Chan Kin-wa

Eastern Salon saved their best for last, stunning league champions Kitchee to clinch the FA Cup at Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday.

A last-minute header in extra time by marksman Giovane da Silva made the difference as Eastern lifted the last trophy of the season with a 1-0 victory in front of a 4,000-strong crowd.

Captain Leung Chi-wing, previously with Kitchee, crossed from the left and connected well with Da Silva's head.

It was a remarkable triumph for two-time Hong Kong player of the year Cristiano Cordeiro in his first year as coach of the underdogs.

The result not only handed Eastern players a winning bonus of HK$1 million and an overseas trip for all their players in the close season, it also prevented Kitchee from making it a record three FA Cup wins in a row. No team have captured the competition three times in a row since its inception in 1974.

A jubilant Da Silva said he had scored possibly the goal of his career, which was his 17th for the season. "This is the most important goal I have scored in Hong Kong," said the Brazilian. "I have never scored a winning goal like this. It was a very special moment. No one would believe in us after we lost a league game to Yuen Long last week, but the coach told us to forget everything and focus only on this cup final. We played as if it was the last match of our lives and in the end we did it."

As cup winners, Eastern sneak back into the Play Off Cup and will take on Royal Southern following a draw made yesterday. The other match will feature South China and Sun Pegasus. The two winners will then meet to decide the second Hong Kong representative in the 2015 AFC Cup, joining champions Kitchee.

Da Silva is now full of confidence for the Play Off Cup. "It's just two more matches and we can make it to the AFC Cup," he said. "It's not going to be easy but if we can beat Kitchee, we can finish the season well by producing another great result."

On a hot and humid afternoon, neither side was able to raise the standard of play to great heights. Kitchee were nowhere near the level that saw them advance to the AFC Cup quarter-finals in beating Arema of Indonesia in midweek.

In stoppage time in the regulation 90 minutes, Manoel Silva missed a close-range chance to kill off the match for Eastern. Just before Silva's golden chance, Kitchee went down to 10 men as Juan Belencoso was sent off for a second booking.

Still, neither side looked like winners when the match was extended for 30 minutes of extra time. Just when it seemed to be heading towards a penalty shoot-out, Da Silva gave Eastern a perfect ending as Kitchee recorded only their second loss of the season after their defeat by BC Rangers in the Senior Shield.