Hong Kong Football Thread II (R)

Since Kim Pan-Gon's departure, Hong Kong FA have applied to govt for funding to hire a new coach. As the funding is still to materialize, Executive Manager Liu Chun-Fai is most likely to take charge for the final Asian Cup qualifier away to North Korea in March.

The global national coach hiring process will probably not be finalized until late in the season. But apart from the away game to North Korea, Hong Kong is not playing in any competition so there is no real problem.

Kwok Ka-Lok will lead the U23 in the Asian Games, as he did in the Guangdong-HK Cup.

 

The Lunar New Year Cup will take place on 19 Feb, just one day before Kitchee's ACL group match against Jeonbuk Hyundai. Therefore no Kitchee players will be called up by the Hong Kong team. Wofoo Tai Po have also said they have injury issues with many players and will not make any players available for the Cup.

 

Senior Challenge Shield Final:

Eastern Longlions 0:3 Sun Bus Yuen Long FC

Another big match, another big defeat for Eastern Longlions. Yuen Long FC wins their first senior title in 40 years and their first Senior Challenge Shield win in 50 years!!!

 

HKPL

Kitchee 7:0 Biu Chun Rangers

Another league match, another huge win for Kitchee. Diego Forlan scored two, Alex Akande scored two and Paulinho also scored his first goal in a very long time. Helio also played as a substitute so Kitchee is more or less up to its full strength, with less than a month to go before its first ACL match.

R&F Guangzhou 0:2 Wofoo Tai Po

R&F Guangzhou really isn't getting many breaks playing in HKPL. Wofoo Tai Po is proving to be a strong force this season.

 

Some transfer news:




Dreams FC signed Liu Pui-Feng and Leung Robson Augusto Ka Hai. Leung has been a human football in the HKPL, been kicked around various clubs. Let's hope he can stick around this time.

 

Jean-Jacques Kilama returned to HKPL after two seasons in the CSL with Tianjin Quanjian, signing for HK Pegasus to bolster their rather fragile defense.

 

HKPL



Lee Man 1:5 Kitchee

Diego Forlan scored his first hat-trick for Kitchee, two of them are free kicks. He has now scored 5 goals. This was Kitchee's last official match before they travel to Tianjin to play Tianjin Quanjian in the ACL.

Dreams FC 0:2 R&F Guangzhou



Godfred Karikari scored his first goal for R&F Guangzhou and the mainland club is now up to 4 th place in the HKPL.

 

HKPL:

Biu Chun Rangers 1:3 HK Pegasus
Wofoo Tai Po 1:0 KC Southern District
Eastern Longlions 1:1 Sun Bus Yuen Long FC

 

Kitchee will now prepare for the ACL group match away to Tianjin Quanjian. Diego Forlan is already a star attraction, If they get a good result there, then the next match at home to Jeonbuck Motors will surely attract a large number of fans to the HK Stadium. I hope they do well.

 

New Happy Valley FC convener Chan Chi-Sai (陳志實), who has strong links with the mainland, outlined his plans for the club. The club leads the second division currently and he has signed up all the coaches and top players for two seasons, and also will look to recruit foreigners so the club can fight for promotion next year and try to gain promotion to the HKPL.

He said the most important thing for the club is to build up its youth programme. He traveled with his team to Carlton Athletic to see their facilities first hand. One of the main things he said is that he will help build a training ground with 4 football fields and sleeping quarters for the club in Nansha, Guangdong. The club will be based there and travel to Hong Kong to play on match days.

He also wants to set up a Happy Valley veterans team so the former players can share their experiences with the young players.

 

The League XI is very strong. They might just thrash the national team. It is going to be a rather one-sided match.

 

Sun Bus Yuen Long FC celebrated their Senior Challenge Shield win with an open top bus parade in Yuen Long district.

 

Kitchee departed for Tianjin for their first ever ACL group match against hosts Tianjin Quanjian. Their flight was delayed for 1.5 hours though and they arrived very late in Tianjin, something like 1:20 am. Despite that, the club was mobbed by fans in Tianjin, especially, surprise, surprise, Diego Forlan.

 

HT

Tianjin Quanjian 3:0 Kitchee

Looks like Kitchee is finding it very hard to cope with this level of football. Hoping Kitchee can get a goal.

 

FT

Tianjin Quanjian 3:0 Kitchee

Better display in the second half by Kitchee, especially near the end after both sides made substitutions. Hopefully Kitchee can get a good crowd next Tues against Jeonbuck Hyundai.