https://www.the-afc.com/competition...t-on-upcoming-asian-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers Statement on upcoming Asian FIFA World Cup qualifiers For both FIFA and the AFC, the well-being and health of all individuals involved in football matches remains the highest priority, and as such, a formal proposal to postpone upcoming matches in the Asian FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers will now be shared with the relevant member associations. FIFA and the AFC will provide an update on these fixtures in the coming days following consultation with the AFC member associations. Other topics of discussion were the women’s Olympic play-off between Korea Republic and China PR, as well as the AFC Futsal Championship Turkmenistan 2020. FIFA will continue to monitor the situation in relation to COVID-19 in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), the confederations and the member associations. Information on other international matches may be provided by the relevant confederation or member association.
That will be good news for Kitchee as they won't have to release any players for national team duty for the rest of the current season. Especially if AFC Cup restarts in April. Although I don't think AFC Cup can restart that soon under current circumstances.
HKFA Cup starts today. Eastern Longlions will play Biu Chun Rangers. All matches are behind closed doors but will be available on http://tv.on.cc
FT: Eastern Long Lions Vs BC Rangers - 8:2 Eastern Long Lions kicked start their FA Cup campaign with a big win against BC Rangers with goals coming from Sandro, Chen Hao-Wei, Diego Eli and double goals from Lucas and Wong Wai. I wonder if the HKFA will be able to renew Mixu Paatelainen's contract considering that it expires by this month?
I wonder if HKFA will be able to renew now, given HKNT has no official matches until October at the earliest. HKFA probably wants to keep the coach and keep training, but the "extra" cost could be seen by the brainless HK govt as unnecessary.
He gave an interview after Saturday's match where he gave every indication that he'll be here at least until the end of June. Mixu also talked about your favourite topic - naturalized players. https://www.sportsroad.hk/archives/294933
Well, I do see that Sean Tse and Diego Moreira Eli had already obtained Hong Kong passports and I do expect R&F HK's Matthew Lam and Kitchee's Wellingson de Souza and Fernando Pedriera to be likely targets for naturalisation to represent Hong Kong later this year. As for the young players and having seen several of them in action during some of the Sapling Cup fixtures, I think there are a couple who I predict can make an impact to the future of the national football team. Shinichi Chan is definitely one to watch for the future especially with him scoring his first goal for Kitchee in today's match against KC Southern and there are several other young players who had shown great potential during the Sapling Cup.
Kitchee's Souza and Fernando both gave their thoughts and views of the prospect of naturalisation and the possibility of representing the Hong Kong National Football Team later this year.
I'd add Michel Lugo to the list as well. A fringe player, yes, but he gives an another option in attack. The question is whether with him, Wellingsson and Fernando coming in, will Mixu deploy them as wingers or will he use them as outside midfielders?
It will be like you said very interesting to see whether he will call any of the newly naturalised players and see where he will fit them. But most importantly, hopefully the players will be in better shape and form for the two qualifiers in seven months time which is still be very challenging for Mixu as he will need to achieve something out of the remaining fixtures.
Stunned. Not by the result but by the way in which Eastern controlled the game and were clearly the better team. Eduardo and Clayton were stellar at the back.
HKFA Cup Full Time: Tai Po FC Vs KC Southern - 4:1 Goals from Dudu, Michael Luk, Yuto Nakamura and Kim Seong-Yong gave Tai Po the win whilst Chan Kong-Pan scored the only goal for KC Southern.
Coach Ricky Cheng Siu-Chung departs from KC Southern after a string of poor results with Cristiano Cordeiro set to deputise his role.
Kitchee's starting eleven featured several young players which include Mark Swainston, Sebastian Buddle with a first start for Matthew Elliot Orr Wing Kai and they were without Wellingson. I do feel that despite the loss, there is potential amongst these young players and hopefully can gain further experience and progress with the first team.
Two defeats in two outings does not look good for Kitchee. Losing the FA Cup match means Kitchee has to win the league to qualify for AFC Cup place next season. Then they lost to Lee Man and are now overtaken by them in the league. They really have got their backs to the wall now.
I don't think it's over yet for them. R&F control their own destiny but I still feel like they have at least one more bobble in them. Their entire squad is living out of a hotel right now and they no longer have access to their own training ground. Both of these factors put them at the very least on equal footing with the rest of the league in terms of preparation and recovery. They have also only beaten a Lee Chi Kin led team once if I'm not mistaken so they're going to have to do it again if they want to win the title.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=517462215860244 HKFA Cup Wofoo Tai Po 2:2 (3:5) R&F FC Eastern Longlions will play R&F FC in the HKFA Cup final.
From Kitchee's website: "Kitchee and Blaž Slišković, Head Coach, has mutually agreed to make changes to the coaching team. Blaž will step down as Head Coach with immediate effect, but will remain with the Club in a different capacity as a Consultant to the Club. Alex Chu, Director of Football, will take temporary charge of the First Team until the end of this season. Leung Chi-wing, Deputy Director of Football, will take up an additional role with the First Team, to focus on accelerating the development of younger players currently training with the First Team."
Premier League season postponed until after April 13th. It may be matches at the FTC or bust if clubs want to continue playing.
Kitchee just keeps going round and round with their head coach problem. They probably need a new approach on finding a head coach in the future.