Full Time - HKPL: Kitchee Vs Crowncity North District FC - 3:2 Kitchee were very fortunate to obtain a win against Crowncity North District as they held on to obtain the full three points. Fernando opened the score to give Kitchee the lead which was then followed up new signing Sherzod Temirov who doubled the score. Crowncity North District did have an opportunity to score from a penalty spot, however Kendy's shot was saved by Wang Zhenpeng. A mistake made by North District goalkeeper Lam Chun Kit allowed Mikael to get Kitchee's third before the half-time break. Jordan Lam who put on a spirited performance scored in the latter stages of the second half to give Crowncity North District hope and not long after that, Kendy who had his penalty shoot-out saved in the first half score the club's second goal which puts them back in the game. It was also a rare start for 40 year old Huang Yang, however he seemed to have sustained a nasty injury after he collided with one of the North District players. I do feel that Kitchee need to start planning ahead for the club's future. Like you stated, their poor foreign Summer signings in which both Ogenyi Onazi and Aleks Damcevski failed to make an impact this season as both departed after poor performances and limited appearances. They also need to find suitable replacements for their aging squad as most of their players are in their mid to late thirties as the likes of Huang Yang, Roberto, Wang Zhenpeng are all at a stage where they can pretty much hang their boots up once this season comes to an end. In addition, Kitchee need to make more efficient use of their youth players that they had promoted this season and give them more opportunities within club level competitions.
Crownity North District 2:3 Kitchee It was Crownity North District's first ever home match at North District Sports Ground. They had to wait so long for this home match because they needed to do some upgrading work in order to fulfil HKPL standards. 1377 fans attended the match but they made a lot of noise and sounded like more. Although they went 0-3 down in the first half, they did have a penalty opportunity. In the second half they got two goals back through Jordan Lam and Matheus. So if they scored the penalty and the goalkeeper did not make his mistake, Crownity North District actually should have won. Jordan Lam did well to cut in on Law Tsz-Chun and got the goal. After scoring he gestured to HKNT coach Jorn Andersen, asking Jorn to call him up. I liked his spirit and desire to play.
Lee Man 4:3 Biu Chun Rangers It was a very competitive match. Lee Man stormed to a 3-0 lead early on. But then Lam Kar-Wai's shot was blocked by hand and Biu Chun Rangers got a penalty and crawled one goal back. When Lau Chi-Lok was brought down in the area Biu Chun Rangers got a second penalty but this time Kanda Yumemi missed. In the second half Biu Chun Rangers scored an own goal but then Diego of Lee Man was sent off and Ibrahim scored a brace, including a stunning overhead kick. Kanda Yumemi's free kick hit the bar in the dying minutes and Lee Man got through to the semi-finals. You really do feel sorry for Biu Chun Rangers. Lee Man must look at their defense now, especially Jose Angel who committed more than a couple of mistakes. Recio is still injured.
Au Yeung Yiu Chung has announced that he is leaving the J3 in Japan and returning to Hong Kong, and is open to playing for a HKPL team. AYYC has spent 3 years in J3 across 2 teams, but unfortunately made 0 appearances and was never named to the bench. His last competitive match was in March 2020 in the HK FA Cup. https://www.inmediahk.net/node/體育/歐陽耀沖結束三年外流日本之旅-稱「歡迎香港球隊搵我」
Once considered as one of Hong Kong football's brightest prospects having played a part within a squad that won gold back in the 2009 East Asia Games football event, it is a shame that he could not keep the momentum going as well as not being able to earn a starting position in Japan. Realistically, I could see Au Yeung Yiu Chung maybe joining one of the lower tier HKPL clubs (if he is lucky) or join one of the lower division clubs. Jordan Lam did really well against Kitchee in yesterday's match and his performance make an impression to Andersen considering that he was present during the match and hopefully come in as a late addition to the preliminary squad.
I think Au Yeung Yiu-Chung spent far too much time sitting on the bench than actually playing for him to have any footballing future. Remember he spent almost an entire season on the bench also in Tai Po's title winning season. Lee Chi-Kin just didn't think he was capable.
As per Kitchee's Instagram, Juninho has received his HKSAR passport, 3 days before his 33rd birthday. Remains to be seen whether he will be called up into the preliminary squad and how big of a role he will play. https://www.instagram.com/p/C0k-vCdr2EK/
The big news today is the Inter Miami, including superstar Lionel Messi, will be coming to Hong Kong to play Hong Kong national team on 4 February 2024 at the Hong Kong Stadium. The most expensive ticket is priced at a whooping $4888... If that's too much for you, then you can come to the stadium for open training session and the ticket is priced at $728 or thereabouts...
Today, Jorn Andersen's squad had been reduced down to 29 players. After acquiring his HKSAR passport, Kitchee's Juninho is named in the 29-man list. However, 12 players miss out which include the likes of Huang Yang, Leon Jones, Sean Tse, Fernando, Wong Ho Chun and Alex Jojo (who recently joined Swedish divisional side IK Oddense.) Interestingly, Sun Ming Him who was always named within the forwards list is now listed as a defender. Not sure if Paulo will still be fit enough to take part in this month's training considering that he is sidelined with injury.
This 29 man squad is still not final. Stefan Pereira might still gets to join the HKNT training squad if he gets his passport soon.
It's strange how 12 players were cut before the start of training camp. What was the point of the initial huge preliminary squad? Or is the reason because some players dropped out for different reasons? E.g. Jojo moving to Sweden, Fernando family reasons, etc.
Stefan Pereira gets his HKSAR passport and is immediately called up by Jorn Andersen to the Hong Kong national team training squad.
For Huang Yang, I believe his lack of form and first team opportunities with Kitchee is possibly the reason why he did not make the cut to which I'm not surprised. For Leon Jones, even though he had recovered from a long-term injury, he might not be fully match fit and will need to get more games under his belt with Eastern. With Stefan obtaining his HKSAR passport, I wonder when Lee Man's Dudu will obtain his?
Full Time: AFC Champions League - Kitchee Vs Lion City Sailors - 2:0 Kitchee ended their AFC Champions League campaign on a high as they bested Lion City Sailors to win their first three points as an own goal by Christopher van Huizen gave Kitchee the lead in the first half and Fernando's solo effort gave them a 2-0 lead. I really wonder what should Kitchee do next in terms of looking in to the future?
Lion City Sailors 0-2 Kitchee Lion City Sailors seemed a lot less threatening this time without attacking midfielder Diego Lopes. They seemed to lack ideas up front. Fernando Pereira did very well and I wonder if Jorn Andersen will call him back up for the national team. It was good to see Huang Yang getting some minutes. This would probably be the last time Kitchee play in the ACL and it was good the captain got to play.
Jorn explained to InMedia HK several absences: - Sean Tse: Has not secured a contract renewal yet, hence he rejected a call up - Fernando: Wife is giving birth - Huang Yang: Too little playing time this season https://www.inmediahk.net/node/體育/【亞洲盃】港隊開操遇傷病潮-安達臣「下旨」不准踢菁英盃
Jorn Andersen revealed that the HKFA are doing all they can to speed up Dudu's HKSAR passport application in time for the AFC Asian Cup finals: https://www.scmp.com/sport/football...uality-overseas-players-given-passports-boost
Dudu can probably operate as a DM alongside Tan Chun Lok, it would be tough to envision Wu Chun Ming or Fat Gor having to play at such a level immediately.
Hong Kong Premier League Hong Kong Football Club Vs Crowncity North District - 2:2 It was a game full of drama as both sides collected a point each. Dominic Johns opened the scoring the during the first half to give the away visitors the lead. However they were down to ten men after Leo Peres picked up a second yellow card. It wasn't long until North District equalised in the later stages of the second half with late goals coming from Kendy and Ho Chun Ting. There was further drama built after Cheung Chun Hin fouled Jahangir Khan who then retaliated back by elbowing Cheung that led him to a straight red. Just before the final minute, Hong Kong Football Club scored the equaliser after Paulinho's shot found the net.
Jorn Andersen's Hong Kong took on Kitchee as they continue to make their preparations for next month's AFC Asian Cup finals. Despite Poon Pui Hin scoring for the national team, they succumbed to a defeat by Kitchee. Stefan Pereira who acquired his HKSAR passport last week also featured for Hong Kong.
Notably, Huang Yang insisted on playing the full 90 minutes to show Jorn that he is still capable at playing at a high level. I really admire his level of dedication even at 40 years old; Huang said he is not giving up hope until the squad has been finalized, just in case there are injuries or something.
Hong Kong Football Club's Timothy Chow who was a part of the 2022 Asian Games football squad has recently travelled to Scotland to participate a trial with Glasgow Rangers FC.
Nissin Foods have become Hong Kong national football team's official sponsor. There will be Cup Noodles and crisps with players' images on them.
Jorn Andersen's Hong Kong were in action as preparations for their upcoming AFC Asian Cup finals next month. They managed to scrape past the HK U23 side with two goals from Poon Pui Hin. The team will be shortlisted early next week before they fly off overseas for further training. In addition to the friendly fixtures lined up against Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia in early January, they will also play a friendly international against China on New Year's Day.
I see a lot of these international friendlies being announced - e.g. against Saudi Arabia, is it clear yet whether these are actually official FIFA "A" matches or just closed door warm up matches, similar to when the HK team plays HK U23 or Kitchee?