Hong Kong Football Thread II (R)

Discussion in 'Asian Football Confederation' started by Angsa, Oct 4, 2016.

  1. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    [​IMG]

    Former Hong Kong captain, 35 years old Chan Wai-Ho will farewell the national team and the fans on the 7 June home match against Jordan at Mong Kok Stadium. He said he will play only as a substitute in the match.
     
  2. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    Apple Daily reports that no new convener has been found for South China. Therefore the uncontracted players are beginning to leave the club.

    It will be a blow to Hong Kong football if South China cannot be competitive, but the club has been asking for it. Wallace Cheung simply had no idea what he was doing.
     
  3. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
  4. dez112

    dez112 Member

    Manchester United
    Feb 24, 2017
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Fair enough. But it will be a blow to the national team considering that he has been in fine goal scoring form for his club.
     
  5. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    It looks like South China are in trouble for next season. They have lost Wallace Cheung as the club's financier and now cannot find a replacement. The players are being let go and there are rumours that the club will apply to be relegated to the first division next season. But HKFA is not going to allow that and might withdraw the club's membership, so the club is still wondering about what it should do.
     
  6. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    South China will play in the First Division next year, confirmed by HKFA.
     
  7. dez112

    dez112 Member

    Manchester United
    Feb 24, 2017
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    In regards to the South China AA situation, this is going to be a big blow for both the club and the league, considering that they are one of the biggest clubs within Hong Kong.

    So what is going to happen? Will some of their players find a new club or remain with the club? Will there be another team to replace them?
     
  8. dez112

    dez112 Member

    Manchester United
    Feb 24, 2017
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    In addition, Sun Hei who were the Division 1 champions, have also declined promotion to the premier league.

     
  9. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    There will be no replacement club. All South China players are more or less free to leave the club and join others. There should be plenty of takers. Their players are good, just maybe not great.
     
  10. adrenaline11

    adrenaline11 Member+

    Jul 29, 2010
    Toronto
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Canada
    So Apple Daily has revealed two pieces of information about Wallace Cheung that are interesting. The first one claims that Cheung still owes South China $2 million. The sports club say that they have still not yet received, as of Friday, their monthly sponsorship payments from him.

    The second revelation was that Cheung constantly tried to meddle with everything. He would try to influence the coaches' decisions with regards to the starting lineup (which might explain why Rambo was demoted) and he was responsible for pulling the Leung brothers out of the Hong Kong squad for the Guangdong-HK Cup after they had been featured in advertisements for the matches.

    It will be a big loss, no question about that. They tend to draw a lot of fans so it will be a test next season to see how many fans will turn up at First Division matches. Unfortunately attendance is not tracked at the lower levels since tickets are not sold so we will have to rely on the eye test.

    What we know is that there will be 10 teams in the HKPL next season. Everybody except HKFC and South China will be back. Lee Man will have their own team and R&F may receive permission to play their home matches in Guangzhou as well as field foreign players.

    Wenweipo reported last week that Brian Yeung, son of Carson, was willing to spend between $7-8 million operating a club next season. That club might be BC Glory Sky but it depends how you read the article (in Chinese).

    Just to be precise, there are a total of nine players who are still under contract. If they can't afford Premier League football then I cannot see how they can afford to pay the nine players. It is likely that as you say, they will let them leave for free or ask for a mutual termination with each player.
     
  11. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    South China Morning Post

    Darkest day for Hong Kong football as ‘Shaolin Temple’ South China withdraw from Premier League

    The best-supported club in the city say they will play in the First Division and focus on youth development

    Chan Kin-wa

    Hong Kong soccer suffered one its darkest days ever on Monday as heavyweights and traditional powerhouses South China announced that they are withdrawing from the Premier League.

    The best-supported and most successful club in Hong Kong history said in a statement that they would compete in the First Division in the new season to focus on junior development, which they say has been lacking in local soccer over the years.

    “It has always been the target of South China to develop potential players but so far we haven’t seen this happen to help the sport in Hong Kong,” the statement said. “Since last season, we have started a 10-year programme to nurture youth players and the decision [to play in the First Division] is also in line with this aim.

    “Hopefully we can build up a strong foundation for future development so that we can one day come back to the Premier League stronger.”

    South China have been a stalwart of Hong Kong’s elite division for decades, even when they haven’t been successful. Their decision to pull out of the Premier League is one of the biggest setbacks in Hong Kong football’s recent history.

    South China, also known as the Caroliners – the road in So Kon Po on which they have their clubhouse – have won a record 41 top-flight championship over their 100 years in Hong Kong. They only played in the second tier competition during their early years of joining the league.
    Hong Kong Football Association chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak said they accepted South China’s decision at its board meeting on Monday, saying there was little they could do.

    “We have to respect their decision although we all know South China have the longest history in Hong Kong soccer and are the most popular club,” said Leung. “Their decision will certainly affect our competition but hopefully it can be minimised with other clubs such as Eastern and Kitchee getting stronger and stronger.

    “Following South China’s withdrawal, we are planning to have 10 teams in the Premier League next season – one less than this season but if the teams can keep playing well, the fans will still come.”

    In the previous season, Metro Galley declined to stay in the Premier League and were allowed to play in the First Division.

    South China finished fourth in the just-completed season and businessman and convenor Wallace Cheung Kwong-yung decided to quit the club after spending HK$50 million without any major silverware after three seasons.

    However, Cheung and the club still have to resolve some players’ contracts. Nine players are believed to be contracted for next season with a total salary close to HK$10 million.

    Former Hong Kong team coach Tsang Wai-chung said it was hard to imagine a Hong Kong top-flight division without South China.

    “It’s just like Bayern Munich having withdrawn from the Bundesliga,” said Tsang, who had a brief stint as South China coach in 2008 but quit suddenly after their first game of the season against Citizen.

    “The club has been known as the Shaolin Temple of Hong Kong soccer and is the biggest pillar of the league. It is hard to imagine their absence.”

    Seasoned soccer administrator Peter Leung Shou-chi felt sorry after hearing the news, saying he was sadder than when his team Eastern surrendered the league title to Kitchee after losing 4-1 to their opponents.

    “I don’t think there is anything to do with the budget as there are always zealous people who want to take charge of the club as the new convenor,” said Leung, who has worked with South China in the past. “Hopefully their management can change their decision and make a return to the top flight as soon as possible.”


    If you build it, they will come: Premier League Asia Trophy demand highlights need for Kai Tak Sports Park, says official

    Over 50,000 tickets for next month’s two-day tournament at Hong Kong Stadium snapped up in 24 hours, but local official Brian Leung Hung-tak wants the finance committee to approve new venue

    Chan Kin-wa

    Football Association chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak heaped pressure on the government’s finance committee and their final approval of HK$31.9 billion Kai Tak Sports Park project by claiming the high demand for Premier League Asia Trophy tickets proves Hong Kong could easily fill the proposed 50,000-seat stadium.

    Over 50,000 tickets for next month’s two-day tournament at Hong Kong Stadium involving Liverpool, Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace were snapped up within 24 hours as the popular event returns to Hong Kong for the fourth time overall and first time since 2013.

    But it will again be played in front of a sold-out but outdated 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium, which was slammed in 2013 for having a “killer pitch” by then Sunderland coach Paolo Di Canio after torrential rain hit Hong Kong during the tournament.

    Following the approval by the public works subcommittee last week, the long-awaited project on the former airport site now needs to be put forward to the finance committee to receive the required budget.

    If the government fails to obtain the green light before the current council year closes in July, they will probably have to wait until December to resubmit the project before facing a construction period of four to five years.

    “It proves the enthusiasm for big events in Hong Kong as the Asia Trophy ticket sales has told us,” said the outspoken official Leung.

    “Even if the matches are being held at the proposed new venue, I am sure there will still be a lot of disappointed people who fail to get the tickets.

    “I sincerely hope the Legco members can give sports an opportunity so that we can have a modern venue for mega events.

    “Hong Kong is lagging far behind our Asian counterparts in terms of sports facilities and if we cannot get the financial approval this time, we don’t know how long we have to wait.”

    The 50,000-seat stadium is included in the 28-hectare sports park project along with a 10,000-seat indoor arena, a 5,000-seat sports ground, and other support facilities such as a hotel, offices, dining area and public open spaces.

    “The forthcoming Asia Trophy will be the fourth time we host the tournament and we need to convince the Premier League we are keen to run the popular event more in future,” said Leung. “A new and modern stadium with expanded capacity will probably do the job.”


    The Standard

    Blow for fans as South China ask for relegation

    Ex-league champions South China Football Team will be relegated from the Premier League to the First Division next season as requested by its owner, the South China Athletic Association.

    A director of the Hong Kong Football Association, Pui Kwan-kay, confirmed the application yesterday, adding that the board will not object to the request.

    He said other football clubs had made similar moves in the past and it is unlikely South China will be fined.

    A formal announcement will be made later, Pui said.

    South China in a statement yesterday said the "tough" decision to withdraw from the Hong Kong Premier League was made after "thorough consideration."

    It said: "The association understands that this decision may upset South China fans, but it will allow the association to switch resources from premier league teams to developing our youth system."

    The association said it hoped a new generation of talented players would emerge in the near future amid a lack of young talent, and "restore the reputation of Hong Kong in the Asia football kingdom."

    When its team is ready again, it will re-enter the Premier League with a new lineup, the association said. Earlier, it was rumored that South China's premier league football team would be dissolved after poor performances in recent seasons.

    The club was formed in 1904 as the Chinese Football Team by a group of Chinese students, before being renamed South China Football Team in 1908. One of the most established and popular teams in Hong Kong football, South China won 41 first division championships and 10 FA Cups.

    Eastern club director Peter Leung Shou-chi, who used to work at South China, said he was upset with the news.

    He believed the previous convener, Wallace Cheung Kwong-yung, must be responsible for the consequences today.

    "He also wants to own another club, but everybody is afraid of him. Since the first day he went to South China, coaches and players have left, and South China must be holding the record of changing coaches the most frequently," Leung said.
     
  12. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    Playing in the first division or premier league has nothing to do with youth training. In fact why would a young player want to play for a first division club instead of a premier league club?

    Clearly the problem is financial. Wallace Cheung has been unavailable for comment and he seems to have something to hide.
     
  13. adrenaline11

    adrenaline11 Member+

    Jul 29, 2010
    Toronto
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Canada
    There's no question it's all down to money. As this article states, South China can field a competitive team in the First Division with a budget of around one million. By comparison, they spent $20 million in 2014-15 just to finish in 4th.
     
  14. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    Wallace Cheung is on Commercial Radio to answer questions about his quitting of South China right now. He said very clearly he does not owe South China any money.
     
  15. dez112

    dez112 Member

    Manchester United
    Feb 24, 2017
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Ah I see.

    Anyways, here is the starting eleven playing against Jordan in a friendly match today:

    https://www.facebook.com/hkleague/p...506791559607/1577633562246919/?type=3&theater

    It seems LEE Chi Ho will win his 69th cap which will make him the most capped player of Hong Kong national football team.
     
  16. dez112

    dez112 Member

    Manchester United
    Feb 24, 2017
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    The final score: Hong Kong Vs Jordan - 0 : 0
     
  17. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    [​IMG]

    2742 fans attended the match, which also served as a farewell match for long time Hong Kong captain Chan Wai-Ho. #ThanksWaiHo

    Given we lost 0-4 last time we met Jordan, this was a much more positive result as we prepare to face North Korea in an Asian Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
     
  18. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    Actually I think the South China affair is not over. I think a White Knight might still appear.

    I have no insider information, but this could be an opportunity for the convener to take South China to the Chinese League system? If he takes South China to the Chinese league, then he has more than 1/2 year to prepare and sign players, which is plenty of time.
     
  19. dez112

    dez112 Member

    Manchester United
    Feb 24, 2017
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Here are the highlights:



    I do agree with what Angsa, the performance was miles better when the two teams last met in March and this should give them a boost for their upcoming match against North Korea on the 13th.

    If they can continue to maintain that same performance from what they achieved in the friendly match, then Hong Kong could be in with a chance to possibly get a result against North Korea.
     
  20. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    [​IMG]

    North Korea training in Hong Kong yesterday.

    Hong Kong maybe hit by a typhoon later today. Hopefully it will not affect the match tomorrow.
     
  21. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    Hong Kong will hoist typhoon no. 8 signal later today and will last the whole night. So both North Korea and Hong Kong will miss their training at Hong Kong Stadium this evening.
     
  22. dez112

    dez112 Member

    Manchester United
    Feb 24, 2017
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    4 of South China's players join Pegasus FC:

     
  23. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    [​IMG]

    We are narrowing the Hong Kong Stadium pitch area again for the North Korean match. I remember we did this before against Uzbekistan.

    [​IMG]

    The players trained in Hong Kong Stadium despite the no. 8 typhoon signal. We may have a rain affected match tonight.
     
  24. dez112

    dez112 Member

    Manchester United
    Feb 24, 2017
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    The match had ended and Hong Kong secured a vital point against North Korea in a 1-1 draw in their AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign.
     
  25. adrenaline11

    adrenaline11 Member+

    Jul 29, 2010
    Toronto
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Canada
    The game was there to be had so 1-1 is a fair result. I still have my doubts as to whether Kim should still be the manager but he was not to blame for us not winning this game.
     

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