2018 Lunar New Year Cup Hong Kong 3:4 Hong Kong League XI 4,239 people attended the entertaining match.
Here is the highlights of all the goals in the HK Vs HKXI match: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1841656035844669
Kitchee SC suffered a 6-0 loss against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the AFC Champions League Group Stage:
Diego Forlan said his teammates, especially the defensive ones, are weak on the psychological side. They are good players and should not lose by 0-6. I was amazed Kitchee almost conceded every time Jeonbuck attacked in the first half. The players were out of position and they were so afraid to lose they seemed to cave in. It was very clear from the stands that the midfield players and defensive players got into each others way and clearances were easily claimed by Jeonbuck to mount another immediate attack.
Some might say that Kitchee played like....wait for it....EASTERN! I think Forlan is right to criticize the team's mentality but let's not ignore the tactical side either. They've gone with three at the back with no natural wingbacks or fullbacks in either game and been badly exposed. They've lacked confidence in moving the ball and showed no desire to close down the opposition without it. In domestic play, they can get away with so many attack minded players in the starting XI because local clubs lack organization, shape, discipline and quality. In Asia, it's easy to see how poor they are at defending when opposing players are cutting Kitchee to pieces with off the ball runs and precision passing.
South China Morning Post Hong Kong mourns ‘Crazy Sword’ Chow Chee Keong – earned more than Europeans and once arrived at a game by helicopter The Malaysian died in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday morning at the age of 69; he played for South China, Tung Sing, Rangers and Jardines Nazvi Careem He was a Chinese footballer who was paid more than his European counterparts and he was once brought to the stadium for a match by helicopter – that’s how much former Malaysia goalkeeper “Crazy Sword” Chow Chee Keong was revered in Hong Kong. Chow died on Wednesday morning in his native Malaysia at the age of 69. The former South China goalkeeper is one of Asia’s greatest players, having won the Asian Football Confederation best goalkeeper award five years in a row from 1966 to 1970. And when he first arrived in Hong Kong to play professionally, he was treated like royalty, earning a salary of HK$2,500 – more than popular British stars such as Derek Currie and Walter Gerrard. “I do remember him very well,” said Lawrence Yu Kam-kee, the former chairman of the Hong Kong Football Association. “He was the best goalkeeper in Asia and it shows the status of Hong Kong at the time to have the region’s best goalkeeper. “He was the highest-paid player in Hong Kong at the time, more than even the overseas players, which was unheard of for a Chinese player. I also remember him arriving at a game in a helicopter. That was one of my favourite memories of him. “He was very popular with fans and made a big contribution to Hong Kong football. He will be missed.” Chow represented the Malaysian national team at only 15 years of age and was the first from his country to play abroad when he signed for Bedford Town in England in 1967. He played on and off in Hong Kong from 1970 to 1982 for South China, Tung Sing as well as having brief spells with Jardines and Rangers. Chow caught the eye of Hong Kong clubs when he toured the city in 1968 with a Malaysian Chinese squad. After guest appearances for Rangers, he joined Jardines in 1970 for a Hong Kong record salary of HK$2,500 a month. After Jardines pulled out of the league, he played three trophy-laden seasons with South China before moving to Tung Sing in 1974 for what was then a whopping HK$7,000 a month plus housing. He went back to the Caroliners in 1977 and left for Malaysia two years later before returning to Hong Kong for short spells with South China and Rangers.’ He also represented Malaysia at the Munich Olympics in 1972. “Until his last breath he remained a fighter,” said Chow’s wife Christine Kwok. His son, Adrian Chow said he “fought hard and long for a long time to stay with us”. Chow died at the University of Malaya Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur at 8.08am. Kwok said she was still unsure of the cause of death. She was quoted as saying that he had developed an infection that had spread to his organs. He also had bypass surgery on January 17 and some time later suffered from internal bleeding. In addition, Chow suffered from urinary bladder cancer.
SCMP Fans fly the flag and Forlan frustrated: 10 things we learned from Kitchee’s Champions League loss to Jeonbuk Hong Kong champs were much improved despite 6-0 scoreline and other lessons from Hong Kong Stadium Jonathan White Just looking at the scoreline it’s clear that Kitchee were taught a lesson in their first home game in the AFC Champions League but what else did we find out from the visit of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors? While 6-0 doesn’t make for comfortable reading, there were actually plenty of positives for the Hong Kong Premier League champions going into their next group game. Can they build on their performance and do they stand a chance of getting their first point, or Hong Kong’s first win in the Champions League? 1. It was the right decision to move the game to Hong Kong Stadium The crowd fell short of the 20,000 that the club’s general manager Wilson Ng Hoi-wai had predicted before the competition but a creditable 13,591 crowd proved it was the right decision to move the game from Mong Kok to the larger stadium. The neutrals got to see a team who must be ranked among the favourites for the competition perform at their clinical best. And it appears that it attracted newcomers to the game – even if some missed the first three goals before they took their seats. 2. Coach Chu is right to see the positives – Kitchee were much improved This was just Kitchee’s second game at this level and they played a team that were always expected to win – and win heavily at that – but coach Chu’s assessment that his team is improving with every game was correct. Kitchee may not have scored but they threatened from the start and took the game to the South Koreans until to the very last – no mean feat when you’re 5-0 down at the restart. Kitchee were unlucky not to score their first Champions League goal, a vast difference from last week against Tianjin where they failed to muster a shot on target. If they continue to show the same effort and intent then they will find their feet before the group stage is up. 3. Kitchee were not six goals worse but mistakes will be punished Just as last week, Kitchee were their own worst enemies. A Kitchee free kick led to the first goal with the Jeonbuk keeper’s long ball causing panic and the flick-on not dealt with. A rash challenge resulted in a penalty. The second goal came from failure to clear their lines and not picking up one of the deadliest strikers on the continent. A sloppy pass to give up possession at halfway eventually led to the third, while the fourth was a result of not closing down the crosser. A catalogue of elementary errors saw Jeonbuk run away by half-time. It was all summed up by one Kitchee shot late on that was charged down to put Adriano directly through on goal, although he failed to score his fourth. 4. A case of what might have been? There were a couple of “sliding doors” moments before the game got away from Kitchee. Diego Forlan was played through on goal with the score at 1-0 and the crowd rose from their seats in expectation. Sadly, the Uruguayan’s first touch of note saw him snatch it wide. Then 10 or so minutes later, with the score now 2-0, Kitchee’s Fernando was brought down on the edge of the Jeonbuk area but the referee played advantage rather than bringing play back to a position where Forlan would have been expected to test the keeper. Football is a game of fine margins and Kitchee need a bit more luck. 5. Hong Kong still waiting for a first Champions League win but it could be on its way Kitchee’s next two games come against Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol and they represent the club’s best chance to secure Hong Kong’s first ever win in the Champions League. Reysol lost their opening game away at Jeonbuk and drew at home to Tianjin on match day two. The hosts had chances but were profligate in front of goal, missing a penalty, and were nearly beaten at the last by Tianjin’s Anthony Modeste. If they are going to get any points or even goals on the board then it will be in this double header. 6. Forlan can’t do it all alone – even if he might try to After going MIA on match day one, Forlan was much more involved against Jeonbuk and at the heart of much of Kitchee’s better play but it was still a mixed evening for Kitchee’s star signing and make no mistake the Uruguayan is just that. The crowd greeted his every touch with a collective intake of breath and there was an electric sense of expectation every time he got on the ball. At times his teammates looked on a different wavelength, failing to read flick-ons and one-touch passes, and he failed to capitalise on his best chance. He showed his full range of passing in his 70 minutes, often dropping deep to act as a playmaker, but might have been guilty of trying to do too much. Much of Kitchee’s threat comes from his dead-ball delivery. Shot once from the centre circle. Came closest trying to score direct from a corner in the first half. 7. Fernando looks comfortable at this level The Brazilian was a surprise choice for Hong Kong’s footballer of the year when he took the honour for the 2016-17 season but on last night’s evidence he is a cut above and might attract interest from another AFC Champions League side. The 31-year-old shouldered the burden of getting Kitchee up the pitch, always eager for the ball and constantly driving at the Jeonbuk defence. He was targeted with some extracurricular attention. Deserved his applause when he followed Forlan off. 8. Kitchee’s fans deserve something to cheer. The Kitchee fans were in fine voice from the outset and that continued until after the final whistle. This meant for an atmosphere the envy of many football grounds worldwide. There was a touch of gallows humour at 4-0 – “we’re going to win 5-4” was not sung in expectation – and pantomime in booing the Koreans early on and the referee after the delayed call for the second penalty. They deserve something from the Champions League just for cheering the team on as if it was 0-0 throughout. 9. The away end was magnificent. Jeonbuk’s small following gave as good as they got and helped to create an atmosphere that did not match the one-sided scoreline on the pitch. Much noisier than they had any right to be, they were a credit to the game, and even started to enjoy themselves by doing the Poznan at 4-0. The away team rightly celebrated with their fans after the game. If Kitchee’s following can offer half as much in their two remaining away games then this Champions League campaign can be considered a success. 10. Kitchee’s remaining two home games are not to be missed Aside from the chance to see history made and Kitchee back up boss Ken Ng Kin’s prediction that they would outperform Eastern in the Champions League, there will be plenty of drama in the remaining two home games. The first, against Kashiwa Reysol at Hong Kong Stadium on March 14, offers hope of victory. The second, when Tianjin Quanjian visit Mong Kok Stadium on April 4, brings the added spice that comes with the visit of a mainland side.
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news.php?id=193140&story_id=50006940&d_str=20180223&sid=8 Japan's Hito-Communications Sunwolves face South Africa's DHL Stormers in the first Super Rugby match in the city. Sunwolves are the designated hosts for the May 19 fixture at Mong Kok Stadium. So another rugby match at Mong Kok Stadium. I seriously think that Rugby and Soccer should each have its own stadium. People say its okay for the two codes to share but I don't see that. We have already seen how Rugby took HK stadium when Hong Kong was scheduled to face China in the FIFA World Cup qualifier. This April Kitchee vs Tianjin Quanjian is also moved to Mong Kok because of the Rugby Sevens. We need separate and comparable facilities for the two codes.
HKPL KC Southern District 1:0 Dreams FC Eastern Longlions 3:0 Hong Kong Pegasus WofooTai Po 2:0 Lee Man Sun Bus Yuen Long 2:1 Biu Chun Rangers
Main talking point was the third goal. Terrible defending. Great skill. Makes you wonder if Hong Kong football is getting both better and worse at the same time.
Hong Kong Pegasus does have a leaky defense. Jean-Jacques Kilama alone will not resolve this problem. They may want to move Travis Major to central defense as soon as Leong Ka-Hang recovers from his long term injury. Chan Siu-Ki has been very, very quiet this season.
A Happy Valley player scored this goal on the weekend which has gotten over 64,000 views on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2078250445745497
Andrew Russell has left Wofoo Tai Po and signed for Chinese Jia League club Liaoning Whowin. He is joining as a "internal" player, meaning he will not occupy any of the club's foreigner spots. Wofoo Tai Po coach Lee Chi-Kin said the club received a few hundred thousands dollars of transfer fee for releasing Russell, but the club is disappointed to lose the player as they had not planned on selling him. Russell's physical play will be missed as the club face Kitchee this weekend. Still the income that Russell will get is beyond the means of Hong Kong football clubs.
Au Yeung Yiu-Chung interview in his own restaurant in Hong Kong. He said his dream is to play in the J League. I hope he succeeds but it is going to be very hard.
Meanwhile, Au Yeung Yiu-Chung's team mate Festus Baise has extended his contract with CSL clubd Guizhou Hengfeng for two years, until the end of 2019. He will be 39 years old by the end of the contract, what a player. Hong Kong national team really needs him for the away game to North Korea at the end of the month.
Well, it seems that Au Yeung Yiu-Chung is set to make a return to the Hong Kong Premier League by joining Dreams FC: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=173528819943067
Shame that they couldn't have signed him in January to replace Cheng Chin Lung. They've been sorely missed a creative midfielder who link up midfield to attack.
Hopefully Au Yeung Yiu-Chung can make enough of an impact at his new club and earn him a return to HK national team. I feel we sorely miss a midfield player who can compete at international level. Also Mark Tan is suspended for the North Korea match and Au Chung could be his replacement.
HKPL HK Pegasus 3:2 Lee Man Wofoo Tai Po 1:4 Kitchee SkyBus Yuen Long 2:1 KC Southern District R&F Guangzhou 2:2 Biu Chun Rangers Dreams FC 0:3 Eastern Longlions With the away win at Tai Po, Kitchee more or less confirmed that they have won the league for the second year running.
Kitchee have arrived in Kashiwa yesterday. They did not train yesterday as the team was tired from Saturday's match and Sunday's travel. They are very happy with the weather, it is cool and dry, as opposed to the Tianjin weather they encountered last time.
Hong Kong Pegasus recorded the lowest attendance of the season on Friday night when they beat Lee Man 3:2. 532 people attended the match but only 161 actually bought tickets. Gate receipt was $8,460. Apple Daily said this could be the lowest attendance record ever at the Hong Kong Stadium.
https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2018/03/341599/ex-man-utd-star-forlan-going-strong-hong-kong Diego Forlan interview before Kitchee's away ACL match to Kashiwa Reysol.
Kashiwa Reysol 1:0 Kitchee It is a respectable result for Kitchee. This might boost attendance for next Wednesday's return fixture. Hopefully Kitchee can get a 20,000 crowd, if not more.