Hong Kong Football Thread (R)

Chan Wai-Ho has re-joined South China from Rangers and will wear the no. 15 shirt again.

 

I'm surprised that none of them would've seen it as an opportunity, however slight, to perhaps increase their branding in the we-love-everything-from-Japan market that is HK.

OT for a bit but thanks, Angsa, for always providing nice updates about football in HK. As we all know here, quality news in English about HK football is practically non existent.

 

Kitchee's coach Josep Gumbau returned to Spain for Christmas, but he took the opportunity to sign José María Díaz, another Spanish midfield player.

Tai Po has signed Brazilian Ricardo Teixeira Vermelho Junior. He will be called simply Ricardo. I think he is a defender.

 

I thought the J-League clubs would be more interested to expand here as well, but no, they don't.

It is nothing at all sgnerboy. I am glad you enjoy the updates.

 

League Cup results:

Saturday
HKFC 2:1 Tai Po FC (Small surprise)
Kitchee 4:1 Tai Chung FC (Good performance by Kitchee)

Sunday
TSW Pegasus 3:2 Fourway Rangers
South China 4:1 Tuen Mun FC



Full house on Sunday with 1,443 spectators at Tsing Yi Sports Ground, the red flag (indicating full house) is shown.

On 13 Feb, the League Cup semi-final will be played.

TSW Pegasus vs HKFC
South China vs Kitchee (Nicky Butt will be with South China then.)

 

Giovanni scores his first goal for South China, merely 7 minutes after coming on as a sub.

 

Chinese Taipei national team captain Chen Po-liang is on trial with TSW Pegasus with a view of joining them as their Asian player in the AFC Cup.

Hong Kong will travel to Malaysia for a friendly on 9 Feb. Malaysia will come to Hong Kong for a return match, after the Hong Kong First Division League ends in May.

 

Chen Po-Liang (right) scored the only goal in a training match yesterday. He is competing with Iori Naya (left) for the only Asian player place in the team. Coach Chan Hiu-Ming praised Chen Po-Liang's skills and intelligence.

 

South China's Brazilian forward Leandro Carrijo has been loaned to TSW Pegasus. During the loan period Carrijo is not allowed to play against South China.

http://source.takungpao.com/news/11/01/14/WF-1339280.htm

South China is still on the look out for a top class striker. Both Mateja Kezman and Mido are reported by Ta Kung Pao to be their targets.

 

Where is all this funding coming from for the likes of Nicky Butt and targets like Mido and Kezman???

I remember being on here before and my general understanding was that games were poorly attended and there wasn't much money in the game!

 

Mainly the money comes from South China FC's financer Mr. Steven Lo. His company BMA also works hard in marketing and have pulled in some big sponsors for the team. Gate receipts are minimal, altogether no more than HK$2million so far this season, but the sponsor pay them at least HK$10million.

Steven Lo is counting on more fans attending games, particularly the home games in the AFC Cup, to balance the accounts. AFC Cup home games are quite popular here.

 

4,694 people attended the Silver Shield Final yesterday, good crowd considering the live TV and radio broadcasts. This was one of the best games of recent times.

South China went 3 goals up in the first half, with Li Hai-Qiang (left foot shot from near the penalty spot), new recruits Joel (out jumped the keeper to head it in) and Giovane (brilliant left foot out spinner) scoring. Citizen seemed to have no answer until they brought on former South China giant striker Detinho to replace Sandro, who won every header and put Joel under a lot of stress. Citizen Captain Festus brilliantly turned and his shot went in via the near post to make it 3:1 at half time.



Early in the second half Sham Kwok-Fai's centre from the right was converted by his brother Sham Kwok-Keung, who out-jumped Joel, to make it 3:2. Joel was by now injured and had to be replaced by Chiu Chun-Kit. South China then had a counter-attack, Tales Schutz's header was cleared off the line but the subsequent high ball was punched away by Paulinho who received his second yellow card and gave away a penalty. But Chan Siu-Ki's spot kick was saved by his Hong Kong national team teammate Tse Tak-him.

Citizen launched another attack with yet another high ball, Chiu Chun-Kit could not deal with Detinho who headed back across the goal, Festus headed it goalwards and substitute Tam Lok-hin flicked it on to make it 3:3 and the game went into extra time.

In extra time Fung Kai-Hong of Citizen was also sent off and it was now 11 against 9, but Citizen held on, with Detinho now also defending. The game ended with no further goals.

Citizen scored all their 4 penalty kicks (Sham Kwok-Fai, Festus, Detinho and Law Chun-Bong), while South China's Li Hai-Qiang and Lee Chi-Ho missed (Schutz and Giovane scored) and Citizen won their first ever Silver Shield. The club also earned the right to play in the 2012 AFC Cup.

 

http://www.southchinafc.com/template?series=1&article=8719
Scroll down for English.

Red MR Asian Challenge Cup
The Strong meets the Strong

"Red MR Asian Challenge Cup", title sponsored by Red MR and organized by South China Football Club, will be held on February 3rd (Lunar New Year Day) and February 6th (forth day of the Lunar New Year) at the Hong Kong Stadium.

The Challenge Cup, has invited Asian three mega teams for competition, they are Ulsan Hyundai FC, two times K League champions; Tianjin Teda FC, runner-up of the Chinese Super League; and Guangzhou Evergrande FC, aka the "Chinese Chelsea". All three teams will be in Hong Kong during the Lunar New Year to challenge South China Football Team, the Hong Kong Federal Cup Champion. Winners of this Asian Challenge Cup will receive the prize money of 1.5 million HKD, a historic high of all local tournaments!

Representatives of all four teams competing for the Red MR Asian Challenge Cup were present at today's press conference held at L'Hotel, providing to the media with the list of players that will be playing in Hong Kong.

Mr. Steven Lo, representing Red MR, the title sponsor and also the Chairman of South China, is confident about the competition. "Recently, South China has been comprehensively builtup, in addition to inviting the former Manchester United and England international Nicky Butt, we have also recruited defender Joel Bertoti Padilha and forward player Giovane Alves da Silva of Guangdong Sunray Cave FC, adding to the core of the original South China team, we have adequate manpower resources to show the audiences the spirit of Hong Kong football. Moreover, we wish to increase our experience and confidence through this Challenge Cup, preparing ourselves for the AFC playing in March."

Mr. Brian HT Leung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Football Association said, "the Challenge Cup hosted by South China will be an exciting one. With competitions among strong teams from Mainland China and Korea, it is indeed a feast for the eyes!"

Ms Lee Mal Soon, General Manager of Ulsan Hyundai FC, mentioned that their first match of this Challenge Cup is against Tianjin Teda FC, one of the qualified teams of the AFC Champions League, facing a strong opponent, they have to take this opportunity to demonstrate the strength of Korean football, which is the highest in Asia.

Mr. Zhang Hui, Assistant General Manager and Office Director or Tianjin Teda Football Club said that the team had made good preparations for this Challenge Cup, coach Arie Haan has particularly scheduled to start the winter training a month early, pulling the team to training camp in Cyprus. Aiming at the Cup Championship as their ultimate goal, they vow to win home the prize money.

Mr. Hong Youqiang, Deputy General Manager Of Guangzhou Evergrande said that he is "not scared off ", he stressed that "with the internationals in their team, they are the super star in the Chinese Super League and their strength is of the obvious; Coming to Hong Kong gives the opportunity to compete with the other three mega teams, we will for sure not to head home with empty hands."

Mr. Chan Ho Yin, Acting Head Coach of South China Football Team is also very confident, he believes that the team has excelled to another level and will only perform stronger while playing with strong teams. "This tournament comes in a good timing, it provides an opportunity for our original team members to play with the new mates, to test our endurance and cooperation, and to play our spirit of South China." Through this challenge cup, he wants to kick off the Lunar New Year of Rabbit with a good start, as well as to enhance the team spirit towards the AFC, marking South China as the winning glory for Hong Kong!

Information on the "Red MR Asian Challenge Cup":
February 3rd (Lunar New Year Day)
3:00pm – Ulsan Hyundai FC VS Tianjin Teda FC
5:30pm – South China VS Guangzhou Evergrande FC

February 6th (Forth day of Lunar New Year)
3:00pm – Semi Final Match
5:30pm – Champion Match

Ticket Price:
$280 / $180 / $100 (Students and Seniors)

Group Tickets:
$380 / $280
*Group tickets include 2 tickets of the same ticket prize to both of the 2 days (February 3rd & 6th ), eligible to 4 matches in 2 days.

Tickets to be sold from January 19th, for more info,
please visit: http://www.southchinafc.com/template?series=1&article=8717

Tickets info: 852-2886-9000

 

HK newspaper today are filled with news that Mateja Kezman will join South China for a weekly wage of over 30,000 pounds. He will be with the team for the remainder of the season.

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=fb65bb95e099d210VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=HK+%26+China&s=Sport

 

For those of you who missed the Silver Shield final, here is a video of the highlights. (Wait a little until after the cheerleaders).

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1ZMiKuDMY0"]YouTube 2011 South China vs Citizen[/ame]

 

http://www.southchinafc.com/template?series=1&article=8760

NEXT STOP FOR KEZMAN IS SOUTH CHINA


The well traveled striker embarks on a new challenge in the far east. The Ex Partizan, Chelsea and Fenerbahce star has decided that South China FC will be is his next club. South China FC, Hong Kong is a club that just announced the signing of Champions League winner Nicky Butt in December 2010. Mateja who has recently been on loan in Russia is excited by the new challenge that greets him in Asia.

Winning the Asian Football Cup is high on Mateja's agenda along with scoring goals for South China FC. The proven goalscorer has won a range of personal and team awards in Europe and now at the age of 31 is still aiming to develop his game. Mateja moves to Hong Kong later this month to join his new teammates and begin preparation for the AFC Cup. His new teammate Nicky Butt, who Majeta faced in the Champions League back in 2000 for Manchester United and PSV respectively will look to use their experiences to help the South China Squad progress.

Mateja Kezman said:

"Having played the majority of my career in Europe I wanted a new challenge in my life. The opportunity to play for South China FC excites me and I feel I can offer the team many things. I have maintained fitness over the winter and feel ready to play and score goals.

I want more success in my football career and believe South China FC can bring that, I have spoken to the manager and seen the team play and I believe this is the right club for me, I'm confident this will be a fantastic experience for all involved."

South China FC Chairman, Steven Lo said:

"To attract a striker of Mateja quality is fantastic for South China, as a club we hope his ability and experience will be a great asset to our team. Mateja has scored goals in many of the world's top leagues and we hope he will do the same for South China. Everyone at the club is overjoyed by the acquisition of Mateja and the fans should be delighted at what he can offer South China FC ."

 

Last night result:

Tai Chung FC 0:1 TSW Pegasus



Only goal came from a penalty won by new recruit Leandro Carrijo...



... and scored by Itarparica.

 

A great article of Angsa about Kezman´s sign to South China: http://worsoccer.blogspot.com/2011/01/afc-cup-will-be-great-test-for-kezman.html

 

Living in the States, I obviously never get to see South China play but I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts as to who out of Chan Siu Ki, Au Yeung Yiu Chung and Giovane will be left out in favour of Kezman. I would assume Giovane but then again, they just signed him so if that's the case, he'll probably be pretty unhappy with the decision.

I hope these expensive players work hard and help the local HK footballers get better instead of just hoovering up money and being lazy.

 

Another signing, Ng Wai-Chiu, formerly of Hangzhou Greentown in CSL, joins South China



Now South China really is too strong for local competition.

 

I think South China will win easily Hong Kong league and can do very well in AFC Cup

 

Mateja Kezman arrived in Hong Kong this morning. Expect loads of media interviews.

 

Steven Lo had said that Butt and Kezman would be available for every game, League, League Cup, AFC Cup or FA Cup. Mr. Lo is also looking to sign an Asian defender to take advantage of AFC Cup's foreigners player rule (3 foreigners of any nationality and 1 Asian player).

Now South China has Tales Schutz, Joel, Giovane, Souza, Butt, Kezman and Asian defender. Steven Lo had said before that Souza and Joel would not be registered for the AFC Cup. No one doubts that Butt and Kezman would play, that leaves us with Giovane and Schutz to fight for the remaining foreigner place.

My bet is on Giovane because Schutz has had a bad record in terms of yellow and red cards in the AFC Cup while Giovane seems to be a cooler customer. Not to mention Giovane is also signed by the current coach Chan Ho-Yin.

That will mean Schutz, Joel and Sousa will focus on local league while Butt, Kezman, Giovane and Asian player will focus on AFC Cup. Either way only 4 foreigners are allowed on the field together at the same time today, so you won't see South China being too overpowering.