What did we all think of former Man Utd academy product Charlie Scott's performance yesterday? And of HV?
Kitchee signed its super foreigner Jose Raul Baena. He played for 7 seasons in the Primera Liga in Spain for clubs like Espanyol. He last played in the Greek League.
Should note that Wellingsson de Souza, Tomas Maronesi and Paulo Cesar should be obtaining their HK passports pretty soon which mean that they will be eligible to register as local players and should free an allocated spot for Jose Baena.
https://www.sportsroad.hk/archives/316853 All matches have been suspended until further notice so it could be a while before we see him.
The AFC did not grant any of the North Korean clubs an AFC Champions League licence which meant that Kitchee SC who were originally meant to be within the Qualifying Play-Off stages will take their place within the AFC Champions League 2021 group stages. At the same time, it looks like that there will be no teams from North Korea to participate within the AFC Cup 2021 which means that Eastern who were originally within the Qualification Play Off stages will now be in the group stages whilst Lee Man FC will occupy Eastern's place within the play-off. Source: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/sport/2...-kOkL8eho4KsjiE3kc3ao6by9deTyhM2Sq-eWSMLdX3_0
There has been some dilemma for two former R&F HK's mixed heritage players Sean Tse and Matt Lam who I believe are both on the verge of obtaining their HKSAR passports. In addition, Giovane is currently back in Brazil.
KC Southern signed 20 year old Australian striker Matthew Cahill. He will be the club's 6th foreigner.
There is a rumour that Daegu striker Dejan Damjanović will sign with a Hong Kong club after his contract expires on 31 December. Some are speculating that it is Kitchee who will sign him because they may need an extra striker and their ability to meet his salary demands.
https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/sport/20210103/bkn-20210103145105317-0103_00882_001.html AFC may get Hong Kong, Iran, Iraq, Bahrain and Cambodia together in Qatar from 31 May to 15 June to finish all the group's remaining 2022 WC qualifiers.
Leung Nok Hang sold to Zhejiang Greentown for somewhere between $10-20 million RMB. This is good mainly because I want more HK players to be sold for fees.
Dejan Damjanovic officially announced as a Kitchee player. He will have to go through 14 days quarantine before actually taking up his place. Anyway training is still not permitted by HK govt so he has to wait. He clearly joined Kitchee because he wants to play again in the ACL.
http://paper.wenweipo.com/2021/01/17/SP2101170005.htm Wen Wei Po reports that ACL group stage matches will be played at the same location for each group, so no home and away matches, and home matches income will not be forthcoming. Hopefully Kitchee will not be affected financially.
Au Yeung Yiu-Chung has posted on his FB page that he is now training in Japan with FK COBALT, an affiliated club of a Japan professional club, in preparation for pre-season training with his new club in Japan. Wen Wei Po said that he is likely joining a Japan Football League club, either FC Osaka or FC Nara, both of which play in the tier 4 in Japan.
https://hk.appledaily.com/sports/20210126/ZPVWI42GVBHTVIMICU5FWR2AEU/ Benfica de Macau, CPK and Tatung have all pulled out of the AFC Cup. This means that Group J is as follows:
Macau Daily interviewed both CPK and Benfica Macau, both clubs claim that due to their amatuer nature, their players cannot afford to be away from Macau for 14 (arrival at match location) + 21 (return to Macau) days quarantine period.
Kitchee are in Group J of the the AFC Champions League where they will face Shandong Luneng Taishan of China, Port FC of Thailand and whichever team wins the East Asia Play Offs between Shan United FC of Myanmar, Melbourne City FC of Australia or Cerezo Osaka of Japan.
Kitchee coach Chu Chi-Kwong is happy with the draw, because Kitchee avoided the big guns like Guangzhou and Jeonbuk Hyundai. But he is deeply concerned that his squad is still not able to train in HK due to govt restrictions. He said Kitchee might travel early to the match location for training if the govt does not lift restrictions.
Hong Kong clubs are allowed to resume training today at 5 specified sports/training grounds. They must follow strict COVID-19 restrictions. All the HKPL clubs are happy to resume training, especially those taking part in AFC competitions. The HKPL may resume on 17 Feb at the earliest.
https://hk.appledaily.com/sports/20210202/RQX2GWPEORAWBPAFUDZSFGNZXU/ Hong Kong will bid to host Kitchee's ACL group. If they can clear the hurdle of getting the government to waive the mandatory quarantine, I think they stand a good chance of winning. Can't see China or Thailand bidding to host Group J.
I think both Thailand and China's government will be reluctant to waive quarantine requirements. Even World Health Organization investigators need to quarantine before conducting their research in Wuhan; World Badminton Championship players also needed 14 days quarantine in Thailand. So Hong Kong might have a chance if HK govt agree to let their players and staff into the SAR with strict testing and contact restrictions. I guess HK stadium will be used for the matches. I hope it will be open for fans at half or 1/4 capacity.
Li Ngai Hoi has been sold to Nanton Zhiyun for a seven figure fee. One of the assistant coaches at the club is former Eastern player Ng Wai Chiu
https://www.the-afc.com/media/latest-decision-by-afc-entry-control-body Kitchee's opponent in the ACL group stage, Shandong Luneng has been disqualified by the AFC because the club has not paid its coaches/players. A replacement club will take its place.