These are the correct choices. While it might be tempting for fans to question why Komazec wasn't picked ahead of Bleda or why Park wasn't picked, you have to stick with the players who have been integrated in the squad the longest.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=477139682976533 I have long supported Jared Lum to be included in the AFC Cup squad as an Asian player. In the past Chu Chi-Kwong always used the expensive imports rather than used the most integrated players. Thanks to Blaž Slišković Lum is finally included.
On.cc is reporting that the AFC Cup qualifiers will be postponed until April. The group stage, obviously, will not take place until after April. This could prove to be a logistical nightmare for Hong Kong clubs because as Pui Kwan Kay mentioned on Monday, most player contracts end on 31 May. The HKFA have already moved heaven and earth to complete the domestic season by that date and now the AFC Cup group stage could make things even more expensive for Tai Po and Kitchee. https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/sport/20200207/bkn-20200207131713465-0207_00882_001.html
Both Tai Po and Kitchee already played their AFC Cup group matches until late June last season, so it can't be a surprise to them.
But this is different. If the group stage doesn't begin until May, there's a possibility that it could either stretch into July or, that it could take place in May, June and resume in August. There will be complications in either scenario.
The 2020 AFC Cup inter-zone final play off is already scheduled to be played on 26 Aug and 16 Sep. Without North Korea's 4.25 SC, Kitchee is favourite to win Group I so they must be already aware that they will likely play in August. So if AFC postpone a round or two to mid August, I cannot see Kitchee screaming about it. Tai Po is another matter... But I am more concerned the Novel coronavirus outbreak will not end so soon. The worse case scenario is AFC cancelling the tournament altogether... which would be a bad break for Kitchee... They are the strongest club in Group I and can proceed straight to the Inter-zone play off semis.
I have doubts about whether IZP semifinals will take place as schedule IF the group stage is played in May, June and August. If the AFC decides to schedule the final two group stage rounds for August in order to give the Hong Kong teams an offseason break in July, then I can assure you the semis will be postponed. It probably will be two legs played a week apart on 16 Sep and 23 Sep. Can't see them cancelling the entire tournament because the nations affected are mostly in Group I. There hasn't even been a single coronavirus case in any of the West Asian nations. If they cancel anything, and it's unlikely that they will, then it will probably only be Group I.
This is what I feel AFC might end up doing. It is the easiest thing to do and affects the least clubs. Who in the AFC really cares if a group involving HK, Macau and Taiwan clubs are cancelled?
https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/update-on-afc-cup-preliminary-stage-matches Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has been made aware of travel restrictions put in place by Governments of several Participating Member Associations, due to the coronavirus outbreak, which have resulted in the postponement of the AFC Cup 2020 Preliminary Stage matches between Ulaanbaatar City FC (MGL) and Taipower Company (TPE), scheduled to be played on February 5 and 12, 2020 respectively. Taking into consideration the overall logistical arrangements as well as match preparations of the East Zone Participating Clubs, the AFC has decided that, as per Article 7.3 of the Competition Regulations, the AFC Cup 2020 (East Zone) Preliminary, Playoff and Group Stage matches will be postponed and will recommence on April 7, 2020.
Two fixtures of the Sapling Cup were played today where Kitchee SC bested BC Rangers with Cleithon, Seb Buddle and Manuel Bleda with the goals whilst Eastern beated Lee Man with two goals from Lucas and one from Everton gave Eastern the win whilst Lee Man's Jordi Tarres pulled one back.
Apple Daily reports that Kitchee will play the winner from the Ulanbaatar and Taipower duel on 21 and 28 April. Then the group matches will be played out in May and June.
That's what it says on the AFC's website as well. This means that Tai Po (and Kitchee if they qualify) will face a stretch of 8 matches in 24 days in May. Could have a massive effect on the title race.
https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/sport/20200213/bkn-20200213200952328-0213_00882_001.html All 10 HKPL clubs agree to stop playing from March if matches cannot be played at regular stadium/sports grounds, whether behind closed doors or not. The scheduled matches in Feb will continue to go ahead at TKO Football Training Centre.
The LCSD just announced that all venues will be closed until 2 March at the earliest. Guess they didn't get the memo. One thing I will say is that I agree with Chan Wai Ho - it's good to see the football community so united for once.
FT: Lee Man FC Vs HK Pegasus - 3:2 https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=947731738962130 I see that Mixu Paatelainen was in attendance during the match probably to see which players deserved to be named for the preliminary squad for the HK National Team.
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/體育/art...82542766549/【港超】足總再與港超隊會議-正式去信政府爭取「開場」兼資助比賽開支 Says here that Paul Woodland expects both WCQ matches next month to be played in Iran and Hong Kong respectively. Iraq has dropped their application for a neutral venue but if LCSD venues don't reopen next month, the HKFA will be forced to apply for a neutral venue themselves. The preliminary squad is set to be announced on March 9.
It will be very interesting to see which players Mixu will name for the preliminary squad considering that the majority of the matches are based on the Sapling Cup which have been played behind closed doors due to the ongoing coronavirus situation. This will be a tough decision for Mixu Paatelainen to decide which players he will want to name for the preliminaries.
Out of the 4 remaining World Cup qualifying matches for Iran, 3 are home matches. Should FIFA decide to move Iran's home matches to a neutral venue, it would be a big blow to the group favourites. But I don't see how FIFA can find any other option. Hopefully the Iran vs HK match will be moved to a venue that is nearer and easier for HK to travel to.
Even Pui Kwan Kay thinks that it's "extremely unlikely" that our team will travel to Iran. He's wrong about one thing though: clubs are obligated to release players during a FIFA window. Whether the HKFA should still call players up despite objections from domestic clubs is another matter.
https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kon...eung-kwan-o-sports-ground-host-domestic-games Some good news - matches will resume this weekend at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. They will all be closed door, players will only be able to use the dressing rooms six at a time and no one will be allowed to shower at the stadium. The HKFA is hoping to finish at least three rounds of the HKFA Cup before the international break. If the matches against Iran and Iraq are postponed, then they will use that weekend to schedule some league matches.
Apple Daily reports that HKFA have already written to FIFA and explained that HKNT will not travel to Iran under the current circumstances.
Indonesia's football association says that all qualifiers for March and June will be postponed until October and November.