There is still no information about the age limit for the football tournament of the East Asian Games. It should be U23 but nothing official yet. HKFA president Timothy Fok wants to use this team, but there is a lot of resistance from fans if the tournament is U23. Japan is likely to send a U23 or U20 team I heard.
HK threatened with huge penalty Reaching regional finals soured by controversy over fielding South China-only side Hong Kong's progress to the finals of the East Asian Championships was shrouded in controversy last night after questions were asked over the Hong Kong Football Association's (HKFA) decision to send a team featuring only players from South China Football Club. Hong Kong qualified for February's competition in Japan at the expense of World Cup-bound North Korea thanks to a 12-0 thrashing of Guam, but the HKFA now faces the prospect of having to repay around US$200,000 to the organisers, the East Asian Football Federation. In a letter from the regional federation, general secretary Takeo Okada blasted the HKFA's actions and threatened severe financial repercussions. "It is still not acceptable that a team consisting of the players belonging to a single club team be recognised as a national A team," the letter said. "It is the fact that you have debased the value of the championship. "Therefore, we won't pay your FA, not only the prize money and participation fee, but also the airfare, board and lodging of the team, which must be paid to every participating FA based on the competition's regulations." The matter will be discussed during the East Asian Football Federation's (EAFF) executive committee meeting in Beijing tomorrow week and, should the decision go against Hong Kong, the FA will be hit hard in the pocket. Hong Kong coach Kim Pan-gon defended the HKFA's decision to select the squad from just one club, saying they "were the best players and they had spent a lot of money to prepare for this competition". In addition to the US$50,000 awarded for winning the qualifying competition, Hong Kong was also given US$100,000 to prepare the team for the Taiwan-based four-team tournament, while the EAFF could also ask for all event-related costs - estimated at around another US$50,000 - to be reimbursed. The matter may not end there, however. Should the sponsors of the EAFF's flagship tournament seek compensation from the regional body as a result of Hong Kong's actions, those costs could be passed on to the HKFA. "Even the Hong Kong national team have a value," Okada told the SCMP. "In the case of the sponsors asking us for compensation, we will pass that on to Hong Kong. We could disqualify them from the competition because it is in the rules but we won't go that far." The controversy blighted what was a hugely successful day on the field for Hong Kong, who thrashed Guam with a dozen unanswered goals before North Korea struggled to overcome hosts Taiwan 2-1 in the day's second game. Hong Kong led 6-0 at half-time but struggled in the second half until Joshua Borja was sent off for a second bookable offence, allowing Kim's team to score another six goals. Chan Siu-ki found the back of the net four times, while Chao Pengfei claimed a hat-trick with Man Pei-tak, Wong Chin-hung, Leung Chun-pong, Poon Yiu-cheuk and Chan Wai-ho the other scorers. As a result, Hong Kong won the tournament thanks to a vastly superior goal difference and coach Kim - who also doubles up as the head coach of South China - said they did not show a lack of respect. "Our club have spent a lot of money to buy a lot of good players, all of the best players in Hong Kong," Kim said. "We have spent a lot of money to prepare for this competition. We want to get results. "We did select an initial squad of 32, but of that 32 we have 18 players here. We only had a short period and the other players are on holiday and they are not ready physically. "We are prepared, we had an early start. This is not a lack of respect. We have the best players," Kim said. http://kallangroar.com/asian-football/2808-hk-threatened-huge-penalty.html
This just seems like a bunch of horse manure. Obviously the organisers saw the roster beforehand so if this was an issue, why wasn't the HKFA warned at that time? Why wait until the team wins to bring it up? I also don't see what the problem is with having all the players for one NT be from a single club? How is this an issue if all the players are eligible to play for Hong Kong? Very frustrating... for once the Hong Kong national team does well for themselves and then they're hit with pure BS like this.
Can't see a problem aswell. As you stated, the EAFF would have seen the roster and rubber stamped it. What is there in the rules to say that players must be selected from different club teams? If anything, EAFF should be happy that HK put up a good fight and got through the tournament. If this qualification stage was played last year, then we would have been looking at a North Korean team walking it. HK, have handed EAFF a bit more strength in depth.
This is a load of rubbish. USSR used Dynamo Kiev for the World Cup in 1986 and nobody had a problem with that, except that they were very competitive. There is no way HKFA disrespected the EAFF tournament. In fact Steven Lo (SCAA boss) said after the tournament, the Guam players applauded the HK team at the hotel, where all the teams stayed. If the sponsors (Adidas, Pocari and Toshiba) want their money back from HKFA, then for sure I will never buy their products again.
I wonder if this is all down to economics and that the EAFF sees a way to wiggle out of their obligation to pay out prize money, in addition to actually gaining money due to some sort of fine.
It is very possible just a way for them to get out of paying HKFA the prize money. There will be a meeting in Beijing later to decide what they are going to do. HKFA has been told that HK has qualified regardless and will definitely play in the finals in Japan in Feb 2010. Because of that, Steven Lo is discussing with Brian Leung (HKFA chairman) about abandoning the annual Lunar New Year Cup in Hong Kong. But Brian Leung does not want to stop this traditional tournament and I am pretty sure the fans will not be happy to see it cancelled.
The EAFF members met in Beijing and decided that nothing will be done against Hong Kong and all prize monies will be released to HKFA. But they did request HKFA to send a proper representative team and not use South China alone anymore which HKFA agreed. The schedule for the finals are also confirmed: 7th Feb 2010 China vs Japan; Hong Kong vs Korea 11th Feb 2010 China vs Korea; Hong Kong vs Japan 14th Feb 2010 China vs Hong Kong; Korea vs Japan
TOKYO: Hosts Japan will take on China in the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) Championships openers in February next year, the Japan Football Association said on Thursday. The round robin tournament takes place from February 6 to 14 in Tokyo and has men's and women's competitions, with Japan and China slugging it out in both categories on the opening day. The men's winners will receive US$500,000, while the victorious women's team will take home US$50,000. Schedule Feb 6: Japan vs China (M), Japan vs China (W) Feb 7: Korea Republic vs Hong Kong (M), Korea Republic vs DPR Korea (W) Feb 10: China vs Korea Republic (M), China vs Korea Republic (W) Feb 11: Japan vs Hong Kong (M), Japan vs DPR Korea (W) Feb 13: DPR Korea vs China (W), Japan vs Korea Republic (W) Feb 14: Hong Kong vs China (M), Japan vs Korea Republic (M) http://www.the-afc.com/en/member-as...ws/25334-eaff-championships-schedule-released
I can't wait to see how many Koreans and Japanese get injured this time around. I hope Japan sends a side from J2 or JFL.
Feb 14: Hong Kong vs China (M) This is going to be big in Hong Kong. Playing our "mother country" on the first day of Chinese New Year.
Interesting news from the 29th EAFF Executive Committee Meeting shows that A request from the Palau football association to become a quasi-member was received and more details will be requested from them ahead of the next Board of Directors meeting. So, Palau could be a member similiar to the Northern Mariana Islands. http://www.eaff.com/eanews/release/2009/090905.html
Palau is just as small as Northern Mariana Islands. That will mean 5 teams competing in the next EAFF preliminaries.
Hong Kong FA just announced a provisional 30 member squad for the 2010 EAFF. They will train in HK for six sessions and then 23 will be selected to go to the EAFF in Tokyo. This squad seems good, probably the strongest anyone can think of. The only doubt is Julius Akosah because he just naturalized to be HK citizen and is still awaiting his HK passport and whatever other papers that he needs. Goalkeepers: Zhang Chun-Hui, Ho Kwok-Chuen (South China), Yip Hung-Fai (TSW Pegasus) DF: Sham Kwok-Fai (Citizen), Wong Chin-Hung, Li Chi-Ho, Gerard Ambassa Guy, Li Wai-Lun, Pun Yiu-Cheuk, Chan Wai-Ho (South China), Ng Wai-Chiu (Hangzhou Greentown), Lau Nim-Yit (TSW Pegasus) MF: Xu De-Shuai (Citizen), Gao Wen, Lam Ka-Wai, Lo Kwan-Yee (Kitchee), Li Hai-Qiang, Kwok Kin-Pong, Man Pei-Tak, Au Yeung Yiu-Chung, Leung Chun-Pong, Bai He (South China), Lee Hong-Lim, Yuan Kin-Man (TSW Pegasus). FW: Cheng Lai-Hin (Kitchee), Chan Siu-Ki, Lee Wai-Lim, Chao Peng-Fei (South China), Julius Akosah (Sunhei), Leung Chi-Jun (TSW Pegasus).
Japan announced its team. It is wholly made up of Japan based players. They will play a friendly on 2 Feb against Venezuela and then narrowed down to 18 players for the tournament. GK NARAZAKI Seigo (楢崎 正剛), KAWASHIMA Eiji (川島 永嗣), NISHIKAWA Shusaku (西川 周作). DF NAKAZAWA Yuji (中澤 佑二), TANAKA Marcus Tulio (田中 ﾏﾙｸｽ 闘莉王), KOMANO Yuichi (駒野 友一), IWAMASA Daiki (岩政 大樹), KONNO Yasuyuki (今野 泰幸), TOKUNAGA Yuhei (徳永 悠平), NAGATOMO Yuto (長友 佑都), UCHIDA Atsuto (内田 篤人), MURAMATSU Taisuke (村松 大輔) MF OGASAWARA Mitsuo (小笠原 満男), ENDO Yasuhito (遠藤 保仁), NAKAMURA Kengo (中村 憲剛), ISHIKAWA Naohiro (石川 直宏), ABE Yuki (阿部 勇樹), OKUBO Yoshito (大久保 嘉人), KANAZAKI Mu (金崎 夢生), KAGAWA Shinji (香川 真司). FW TAMADA Keiji (玉田 圭司), SATO Hisato (佐藤 寿人), HIRAYAMA Sota (平山 相太) OKAZAKI Shinji (岡崎 慎司), KOROKI Shinzo (興梠 慎三).
Korea DPR won't participate the Women's event due to political reason. Chinese Taipei will replace the North Koreans.
Korea Republic announced its team, same as Japan, no overseas-based players have been called up: GK Kim Young-Kwang 1983.06.28 184 /85 Ulsan Hyundai 14/-10 GK LEE Woon-Jae 1973.04.26 182 /90 Suwon Samsung 125/-108 GK JUNG Sung-Ryong 1985.01.04 190 /86 Seongnam Ilhwa 13/-6 DF KANG Min-Soo 1986.02.14 184 /76 Suwon Samsung 30/0 DF KWAK Tae-Hwi 1981.07.08 185 /80 Chunnam Dragons 8/3 DF CHO Yong-Hyung 1983.11.03 182 /71 Jeju Utd. 25/0 DF OH Beom-Seok 1984.07.29 181 /77 Ulsan Hyundai 32/2 DF LEE Jung-Soo 1980.01.08 185 /76 Kashima Antlers 19/2 DF KIM Hyung-Il 1984.04.27 187 /83 Pohang Steelers 2/0 DF PARK Joo-Ho 1987.01.16 174 /71 Jubilo Iwata(JPN) 2/0 DF LEE Kyu-Ro 1988.08.20 180 /68 Chunnam Dragons 2/0 MF KIM Jae-Sung 1983.10.03 180 /70 Pohang Steelers 2/1 MF KIM Bo-Kyung 1989.10.06 178 /73 Hongik Univ. 2/0 MF LEE Seung-Yeoul 1989.03.06 183 /73 FC Seoul 2/0 MF LEE Seung-Hyun 1985.07.25 176 /68 Busan I-Park 3/0 MF SHIN Hyung-Min 1986.07.18 182 /76 Pohang Steelers 2/0 MF KOO Ja-Cheol 1989.02.27 182 /73 Jeju United 5/1 MF KIM Jung-Woo 1982.05.09 183 /71 Gwangju Sangmu 50/3 MF KIM Do-Heon 1982.07.14 177 /73 Suwon Samsung 57/11 FW LEE Dong-Gook 1979.04.29 187 /83 Jeonbuk Hyundai 78/22 FW NO Byung-Jun 1979.09.29 177 /67 Pohang Steelers 4/0 FW YEOM Ki-Hun 1983.03.30 182 /80 Ulsan Hyundai 30/3 FW LEE Keun-Ho 1985.04.11 177 /75 Jubilo Iwata(JPN) 27/8 http://www.kfa.or.kr/
Lee Jung-Soo, Park Joo-Ho, Kwak Tae-Hwi and Lee Keun-Ho play in Japan. He has joined J. League side Cerezo Osaka.
Still rumored... There hasn't been anything on Cerezo's website or any other news sources. So he is officially still at Uni Edit: My bad... I just checked the website and they made it official today http://www.cerezo.co.jp/news_detail.asp?c_idx=10002841&contents_code=100100100
Huh Jung-moo said he wanted to take a few youth players to the South Africa/Spain training camp; ones for the future. He is pretty talented. He scored 2 goals in the U-20 WC. Gu Ja-cheol, Lee Sang-ryeol and Kim Bo-kyung all featured in the U-20 team in Egypt and are in this tournament squad.