The big question is whether Benfica and Monte Carlo can get the AFC License. The requirements are quite stringent - for example, each club licensee must have three age group squads (youth) below the first team. Does either club even have youth teams? Above that, the clubs must employ a head media officer, a secretariat, a general manager, a finance officer, a security officer, a doctor, and a physiotherapist...all of which are difficult when they usually have one person doing multiple jobs.
They could just find qualified volunteers and then name these people. They don't actually have to pay them salaries. That should not be too hard if the Macau Sports Bureau steps in to help them.
I'm not sure that the AFC would be ok with that. The regulations lay out some reasonably strong standards. For example, the doctor and physiotherapist need to be recognised by the "appropriate national health authorities." The finance officer must be a CPA, be a qualified auditor or have 3 years "practical experience" in finance. Hard to find people who are willing to do those jobs for free.
Macau Sports Bureau can always step in with support. Also working for Benfica Macau or Monte Carlo is hardly likely to be a full time job, both in terms of financial reward or real need from the club. There really isn't all that much to do at an amateur club. Finance officer? All the club has is expense on players and income is only from one source. Someone with CPA can do the whole accounts in one day if you ask me.
Somebody will have to pay the therapist, CPA or doctor. Those are not services that are known to be cheap to hire. That said, the AFC manual only says that they have to "appoint" someone into those positions. I suppose Monte Carlo and Benfica can appoint the same people and share the cost. The manual lists certain items that each licensee must submit in their annual audited financial statements to the AFC. There are seven in total and they must meet ""minimum disclosure requirements and accounting principles." The question is how much the AFC wants to see, even for a semi pro club.
Despite #Macau has two slots for the @AFCCup only @BenficaMacau applied to it, meaning that Macau will not send any team to the play-off.— Afonso_Macaufootball (@AfonsoPt_AFC) July 18, 2017
Macau player of the year Pang Chi-Hang and goalkeeper of the year Ho Man-Fai have joined HK Pegasus and Lee Man FC for pre-season training. They are unlikely to be signed because Macau players will be considered as foreigners in the HK Premier League. But both players are keen to test themselves.
Correction: Pang Chi-Hang is having a trial with Yuen Long FC. Pang actually has a 3* HKID card but he has already played for Macau national team so he cannot be registered as a local player under HKFA's new regulations.
Actually I think it will be good if the two Macau players can play with R&F. They don't have the same restrictions on Chinese / Hong Kong players as the other 9 clubs do. They can register the two Macau players simply as Chinese players. It is not as if that will give them a big advantage or anything. Of course I would really love to see a Macau club joins the HKPL. They need the matches to give their players experience and maintain match fitness for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
Macau national football team coach Tam Iao San has resigned citing family reasons. Technical director Chan HIu-Ming (from Hong Kong) will take charge as acting coach.
Macau national team 0-1 Dreams FC Pablo Jose Gallardo Zurera, or just Pablo of Dreams FC, scored the only goal which was a penalty. Macau will play Kitchee later this week.
12 August 2017 Macau national football team vs Kitchee Lin Fong Stadium (inside the canidrome - dog racing stadium).
Obviously Kitchee played with their full squad including many foreigners. Macau is a totally local team, so this result is to be expected.
Update: Yuen Long offered Pang a contract but after consideration, he decide to remain in the Elite League. https://www.upower.com.hk/article/91781-元朗「巴西幫」添成員-簽東昇舊將祖連奴
Macau has just been severely battered by Typhoon Hato, with 8 deaths and many injured. Many areas of the city are still without power today and some have no water supplies. I am not sure if they can/want to continue with the friendly match with Malaysia tomorrow....
Hong Kong B 4:0 Macau Macau needs to keep up its second half performance for the upcoming AFC qualifier against India tomorrow evening, if they are to get a result.
Macau coach Chan Hiu-Ming said Macau will focus on defense in the match against India. He said the national team's preparations were much disrupted by typhoon Hato. He said he saw the unity of the Macanese people after the typhoon and hope that they will show their support for the national team tonight in the stadium.