Tse Tak-him was injured in June and he still hasn't played a competitive match since then, so Mixu was not sure about him. But his chance will surely come as HK NT has so many games from Sep 2019 to March 2020. In the meantime, both former HK internationals Chan Wai-Ho and Cheung Kin-Fung have retired from professional football. It is quite a shame, as there are HKPL clubs that need players of their calibre, but apparently they cannot sort out deals.
No. He performed okay. But not brilliant. Right now there is no reason to axe him. The thing is that there are many league and international matches coming up very soon. If Yapp does not perform and other local keepers including Tse look like a better prospect, then these keepers should get their chances.
I felt like Mixu does not seem very confident with the World Cup Qualifying campaign. Anyways, I do feel that James Ha is a good replacement for the retired Jaimes McKee. As for my predictions, I think Hong Kong may get a result against Cambodia away and as for Iran, well.....I don't highly anticipate that they will be able to get a result against them, but wish them all the best.
James Ha has been underrated, while Jaimes McKee has been overrated... in a way, I am glad McKee retired to let Ha into the NT. Ha's hold up skills are much better and is also a better finisher.
Vadócz and Kitchee agree to mutual termination three days from the start of the season. Pui Kwan Kay: The HKFA has not made a final decision on whether R&F can continue to play in Guangzhou. Will need to consult with the clubs. The AFC is closely monitoring the situation in Hong Kong. If they deem that Hong Kong is unable to host matches safely, they may move the WCQ home matches to Malaysia. The HKFA announced that the home matches against Iran, Cambodia and Bahrain in 2019 will be played at Hong Kong Stadium. The final home match against Iraq in 2020 will be played at Mong Kok Stadium. Speaking of Malaysia, Hong Kok will host a home friendly against Malaysia on 15 October. Chak Ting Fung has withdrawn due to injury from the Hong Kong team for the September matches and will be replaced by Law Tsz Chun.
In addition to Chak Ting-Fung's withdrawal, Festus Baise also withdraws from the squad due to injury with R&F's Roberto Affonso Junior named as his replacement.
It's been a while since Roberto was called up to the squad. Festus will be a big loss in the back... looks like Mixu will rely on veterans to provide stability and hopefully get some results.
Happy Valley AA signs young defender Christian Alexander Jojo who previously played with HKFC in the past before he headed off to a Portuguese third tier club along with former Dreams FC midfielder Shu Kitamura. In other news, experienced Hungarian Krisztian Vadocz has left Kitchee recently meaning that the club's current foreign players are Fernando, Wellingson, Cleiton, Manuel Bleda and Lucas Silva.
In my opinion the senior NT has to aim to get results. Young players like Chan Shunichi should play with the U23s or U20s and their clubs in Asian competitions to gain the experience that they need. Those who are selected for the NT should be the final product and ready to "die for HK".
FT: Kitchee SC Vs Happy Valley AA - 5:0 1st Division champions Happy Valley struggled on their first match of the Hong Kong Premier League against a dominant Kitchee SC with goals coming from Lucas Silva, Fernando and from new debutants Manuel Bleda, Cleiton and Wellingson.
FT: Wofoo Tai Po Vs R&F HK - 1:4 https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=421646821891700 Champions Tai Po were not able to replicate their winning streak from last season as they suffered quite a heavy loss to R&F HK. Goals from Thiago Leonco, Giovane Alves da Silva, Lam Zhi-Gin and Leung Nok-Hang were enough for R&F HK to seal all three points whilst Sandro pulled a goal back from the penalty spot for Tai Po.
Other FT results: Eastern Long Lions Vs Best Union Yuen Long - 2:1 Eastern had to come from behind to snatch away a victory against Yuen Long. Tsang Tsz-Hin gave Yuen Long the lead before Michel Afonso and Jean Moser scored twice for the win. KC Southern Vs BC Rangers - 3:1 James Ha demonstrated to Hong Kong's head coach why he deserved to have a place in his squad after scoring two goals in the first half. New signing Chan Kwong-Ho (previously of Yuen Long) came on as a sub and scored KC Southern's third goal. Former Tai Po midfielder Au Yeung Yiu Chung grabbed BC Rangers consolation goal as they lose to KC Southern.
More withdrawals in the senior men's squad as both Lee Ka-Yiu and Xu Deshuai are out due to injury. Therefore Chung Wai-Keung and uncapped Cheng Siu-Kwan of Lee Man are called up in their place.
Iran is now making claims that Hong Kong is unsafe and applied to FIFA to play their away match to Hong Kong on 10 Sep at a neutral venue. HKFA said FIFA will make a decision today.
It's all gamesmanship. Still amusing that Iran is concerned they'll only win 4-0 in Hong Kong instead of 6-0 at a neutral venue.
Small Wong Wai update: he went on trial last week at a CSL club last week. He says he's still hoping to join a CSL team next year but if that doesn't happen, he'll consider either a CL1 club or returning to Hong Kong. Paatelainen says it's not ideal to have such an important player be out of work with important WCQ games coming up.
I simply would not have picked him. I'd rather have someone like Giovane who actually played this past weekend.
https://sports.now.com/home/news/details?id=26705336198 Interesting piece about Wofoo Tai Po still negotiating to its former players about missing bonuses. If they cannot prove that they have no outstanding salary/bonus payments with players, then their application for an AFC ACL club license might be in jeopardy. If Wofoo Tai Po is refused an AFC club license than the club which might benefit is Southern District, who finished third in the league last season. (R&F finished second but are ineligible to play for HK in AFC club competitions.) Philip Chan Siu-Kwan moved from Wofoo Tai Po to Southern District in the summer. He said Wofoo Tai Po owed him bonus money. If he keeps pursuing the bonus matter and it is not resolved to his satisfaction, then his current club Southern District can benefit.
It will be Mixu's first competitive match as Hong Kong NT coach tonight away to Cambodia. I will be quite disappointed if we don't come back with 3 points. Hong Kong vs Iran is still scheduled to be played at Hong Kong Stadium.
Former HK NT captain Chan Wai-Ho has joined Hong Kong Pegasus as assistant coach/player. He is re-uniting with former South China teammates Peter Man and Chan Siu-Ki. He will only play when the regular center backs are injured or suspended.