Hong Kong Football Thread II (R)

So Paulo Cesar was considered for the preliminary list, but apparently he chose to decline after a conversation with Westwood.

 

Hong Kong Premier League Round Up:



Eastern Sports Club Vs Eastern District - 0:1

After losing to Kowloon City during the midweek, Eastern District pounced back with a win over Eastern Sports Club as Gu Bin scored the only goal to seal the three points.

As for Eastern Sports Club who have been marred with the departures of key players Noah Baffoe, Ma Hei Wei (through the Summer Transfer Window) and Yapp Hung Fai through injury, they know that they will have an uphill battle as they will face against Thailand club Ratchaburi SC in the home leg of the Asian Champions League 2 group stage.



Tai Po FC Vs BC Rangers: 6:1

Despite taking the early lead during the first half under Nassam Ibrahim, Rangers could not keep the momentum during the second half after they succumbed a thrashing from a much altered Tai Po squad that is prepping for the ACL2 tie against Beijing Gaoan FC this week. An own goal from Kim Min Gyu along with Paulinho, Patrick Valverde, Michel Renner and a wonder goal from youngster Kohki Takizawa Sung Wang Ngai puts Tai Po back in contention for the title race.



Bottom side Hong Kong Football Club were not able to maintain their winning form that they picked up against Kowloon City last week as they were thrashed by Lee Man by seven goals from Everton Camargo, Wong Wai, Mikael and Merab Gigauri. HKFC youngster Jack Bennie who was one of the goal scorers in last week's win against Kowloon City scored his second goal despite the loss.



A dominant Kitchee thrashed Kowloon City by five goals from Adrian Revilla, Yumemi Kanda and a Juninho hat trick. As Kim Shin Wook marked his return to the pitch, it was also a club debut for former Spanish international Asier Illarramendi who came on as a substitution.

 

Looking at the schedule, the training camp only lasts until 15 November. Whilst it would mean that both players will miss the Cambodia friendly on 13 November, I still predict there could still be a slight chance that Timmy and Sohgo could be added for the Singapore tie if neccessary.

Personally, I do not understand whether it makes sense of having an U23 and U20 training camps at this time considering that both sides failed to qualify for their respective AFC youth finals, unless they are prepping for the Asian Games 2026 football event or something else.

But especially knowing that this month will be clinical and crucial for the senior men's side and they need to have the best and in form players for the Singapore tie in which Timmy Ma would be someone who can contribute considering that he has been in decent shape and form at Shaanxi Union.

 

Full Time: Eastern Sports Club Vs Ratchaburi SC - 0:7

The same old narrative has once again been told as Eastern Sports Club succumbed to a rather humiliating defeat to Thai club Ratchaburi SC in the home leg.

Despite holding on to a goal less draw in the first half, Eastern Sports Club lost all momentum as they conceded seven during the second half. Adding to that, it seems that there maybe concerns for Manuel Bleda who looked like he picked up an injury.

Not only that, Ikhsan Fandi who was named in the Singapore squad for this month's tie scored twice as a late substitution against Eastern and will be something that I am sure the players and Ashley Westwood will be very wary about.

Overall on Eastern Sports Club, that was easily one of the worst performances I have ever seen from the team. They were out thought, out fought, ran out of ideas and it was just completely hopeless from start to finish.

I just don't think that there are any further excuses for head coach Roberto Losada to make anymore as even though the squad had been depleted with departures during the Summer at this stage and whilst I am grateful that he gave some youth players opportunities, I feel it may be time for him to step down.

 

Here is the translated version from Eastern's Facebook:

"Dear all Hong Kong football fans,

The team suffered a heavy defeat last night, and we fully understand the disappointment and frustration felt by our fans over the gap between expectations and our recent performances. As one of Hong Kong’s representative club in Asian competitions, the result is truly painful for all of us.

Throughout this season, the team has been affected by injuries to several key players, which has inevitably impacted our overall performance. However, we understand that difficulties are never an excuse. The club reaffirms its commitment to actively review and address the issues, continuing to give our full support to the coach and players, with the hope that we can stay united and overcome this difficult period together.

This is not the first time the team has faced adversity. In the past, we have always managed to rise again through unity and perseverance. We firmly believe that as long as we hold on to our belief and support one another, we will be able to regain our form and restore the honor that belongs to this team. We also sincerely hope our fans will continue to stand by us and walk together with the team through these challenging times.

On behalf of the club, I would like to extend my apologies to all our supporters and express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and understanding. In the days ahead, we will respond with even greater determination and effort to repay every fan, so that together we can once again witness the fighting spirit and pride that define this team."

Vice chairman of Eastern Sports Club

Frankie Yau

Frankie Yau should had put in more effort to commit, contribute and provide further support to get the club more prepped for the ACL2 campaign from the start.

Whilst I do acknowledge that there had been many factors which impacted the club from the departures with the likes of Jesse Yu Joy Yin, Ng Yu Hei, Ma Hei Wai and Noah Baffoe, the injury of their captain and goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai and underwhelming Summer signings, aging players and at this stage, I'm not sure whether the club will be able to pounce back this season.

In addition whilst head coach Roberto Losada claimed that he will "fight until he has nothing left" for the squad, at the same time he looked absolutely baffled to understand what had happened during the club's second half performance.

 

Also adding with Manuel Bleda ruled out with an injury, it is unlikely that he is going to be named for the national team's upcoming fixtures this month.

 

Adding to that, Lee Chi Kin seemed rather hesitant in which he only made two substitutions in contrast to Beijing which utilised all of their five substitutes during the second half unless he wouldn't want to make any further risks.



Also Eastern's Gil Martins and Manuel Bleda are both sidelined for three weeks with calf strain injuries. Bleda is now certain to miss the national team's November fixtures.

 

Here is the final 24-man squad named:



41 year old Wang Zhenpeng makes a return to the national team having last played in 2022 whilst Aleks Shiilakotin who remains as a free agent missed out. Michael Udebuluzor makes his way back in to the squad having missed out during the September and October fixtures and Alex Jojo also earned a recall.

Personally I would had replaced Nicholas Benavides with Callum Beattie though. It is a shame that the national team could not get Ma Hei Wai involved in which I still do not understand the point of holding a U23 training camp at this time of the month considering how crucial this month will be for the senior team.

 

A lot of fuss on social media about Wang Zhenpeng - but how often would a 3rd choice goalie play? He's a decent addition, am sure his leadership and mentorship to Tse and Ng will be valuable. He is a good person to have in the dressing room, plus less language barrier issues (unlike Paulo or Aleksis).

 

Whilst Wang whose had a rather rough few seasons and only came back due to cover for Pong Cheuk Hei, I can also understand why some fans are rather sceptical in regards to his inclusion.

Wang is kind of the high risk, high reward kind of player in which the reward is like you already described he is someone who can offer mentorship to Tse and Ng and is one of the more experienced goalkeepers within the Hong Kong Premier League.

At the same time, Wang can be quite a risk considering that at the age of 41, he isn't guaranteed to react and respond quickly as well as being prone to making errors (such as his performance against BG Patham United back during the Asian Champions League Round of 16.)

The HKFA have announced that the team will recieve a HK$1 million incentive if they can get a win against Singapore next Tuesday.

 

Overall I am sure Ashley Westwood and the players know how vital it is for them to get a result against Singapore on Tuesday knowing that a win could pretty much seal their place in the finals.

At the same time, it is also important that Westwood deploys the right strategy, the players remain motivated and ensure that they tighten their marking and defending in which they will have to be wary of the Fandi brothers (Ikhsan and Ilhan), Kyoga Nakamura and Song Ui Young could pose threats.

 

Dude, what? Have you heard him speak Cantonese?

 

Lee Man's Barak Braunshtain has finally acquired his HKSAR passport in which he becomes eligible to represent the national team.

Although it is not certain whether he can be included for tonight's friendly tie, but could still come in as a late inclusion against Singapore for Tuesday.

 

And he has been immediately drafted into the team! For those familiar with Braunshtain - how good is he, and what sort of role does he play? How can he help the HK team?

 

Well after a rather surpising starting eleven that included 41 year old Wang Zhenpeng getting the nod ahead of Tse Ka Wing and despite a well set up goal for Wong Wai to give Hong Kong the lead during the 31st minute, Cambodia equalised after Wang's goalkeepeing error gifted them the goal two minutes later. This was exactly what I feared about fielding Wang as previously stated that he isn't someone who is going to react, respond and is prone to making errors especially given his age.

The national team had many opportunities to score during the second half especially Vas Nunez hitting the post in the final minutes, but ended with a rather disappointing draw going in to Tuesday's clinical tie against Singapore which the players and Westwood know that they will need to give it everything they got as this is a must win for them to guarantee qualification for the 2027 finals.

 

Barak primarily occupies midfield positions in which he is certainly someone who is very aware, sieze opportunities and provide clinical deliveries and passes which I think will be quite beneficial for the national team.

With his inclusion, Westwood can take some time to analyse where he will fit in his plans and hopefully he can make an impact on Tuesday.

 

Apparently Wong suffered cramps whilst Michael suffered chest tightness due to travel fatigue. They will be assessed to see to the extent of their injuries.

In addition, Westwood seemed undecided on whether he should opt with Wang Zhenpeng or Tse Ka Wing to start on Tuesday.

Thailand could had have their fourth goal if their penalty wasn't saved by Singapore (in which two of their goals were scored by Glen Kweh, another player that the HK team need to be wary of.)

I will say that I am actually quite nervous for the team going into Tuesday in which I do hope the team and Westwood can utilise their time to look at what things worked, did not work and what needs to be improved.

Also from Ngan Cheuk Pan's brief interview, the team are more focused on getting the result against Singapore.

 

In other news, Aleks Shilakotin has finally found a new club as he is registered to Hong Kong Football Club: