Hong Kong Football Thread II (R)

World Cup qualifying has been cancelled for the rest of 2020.

 

It's time to say goodbye to at least 5 HKNT players due to this delay. They won't be playing in 2021.

The one I wonder about is Huang Yang, will he still be around to captain the team? Or will it be Tan Chun Lok's team?

 

I predict that there will be a ton of shake-ups within the national team as they will need to bring in fresh blood to fill their voids.

Which national team players do you think their time representing the national team is up?

Huang Yang will be turning 37 in two months time, so I would say he could probably play for one more year and then consider retiring from international duty.

If anyone should take Huang Yang's place as captain, I would say Tan Chun Lok is my choice.

 

https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/sport/2...x_qA9jszcUWlH0j-eknPadoM0xtST00jUMM0_ZkNJAa98

Haha, how embarrassing is this? After telling clubs that they could use any player signed over the summer in the restart, the HKFA has just received communication from FIFA that this is illegal. No newly signed player can participate in the restart unless their contract ended prior to Jan 29.

What a joke.

 

I think:

1. Dani Cancela: The wing back was already too slow and being targeted in his few recent HKNT games; he will be 39 next month and physically he cannot keep up with the demands of being a HKNT fullback (much more physical than being a Kitchee fullback, due to the constant defending an counterattacking HKNT does). Likely replacement: Wellingsson or Li Ngai Hoi
   
2. Festus Baise: He has been an amazing inspiration for older players, but he will be 41 when the matches restart. With no China League One games to keep him match active, he will be 100% focused on extending his China career in 2021. He can no longer afford extra playing time with the HKNT, and his lack of pace has cost the HKNT before. Likely replacement: Leung Nok Hang, who is now also a League One player, who partners well with Andy Russell. Newly naturalized Clayton Alfonso will keep Baise off from even the bench.
   
   
3. Wang Zhenping: The big burly Kitchee keeper has been Yapp Hung Fai's perpetual backup, but has always had suspect decision making and distribution. The emergence Yuen Ho Chun makes for a solid new #2, and Tse Tak Him - a much more reliable seasoned vet - will compete with up and coming Tse Ka Wing for the #3 spot. He will be 37 when the matches restart.
   
   
4. Giovane: 6 disappointing caps for Giovane, who will turn 38 this year, means its time to pull the plug on the experiment. Unfortunately, there is no clear forward with the hold up skill of Giovane. The best would be if Chan Kwong Ho develops nicely, but there is no clear successor in the front.
   
   
5. Ju Yinzhi: At 33, he is still in his prime but there is no denying that Ju does not perform for the HKNT. With the HKNT overloaded with defensive midfielders (Huang Yang, Sean Tse, Diego, Philip Chan), it will mean Tan Chun Lok will be pushed up to play a more attacking role - a role he is currently playing with R&F. Ju lacks the speed to play on the wings, and he will definitely not start over Tan. Wong Wai will likely take his place as a Tan Chun Lok partner or backup.

What do you all think?

 

1. I do feel that Dani will be considering hanging his boots up after the next season ends.

2. Whilst it is a shame that Festus wasn't called on for the East Asia Cup Finals last year, I do agree that he will be focusing more on his league career and at that age, like Dani, he could be considering hanging up his boots soon.

3. Personally I do feel that they should call upon a young goalkeeper to act as an understudy to Yapp Hung Fai and Yuen Ho Chun. Players like Tse Ka Wing, Alex Chin Palelei and Choy Tsz-To are ones who could fit the criteria. As for Wang Zhenpang and Tse Tak Him, I do feel their time may possibly be up for them.

4. I'd probably expect Giovane to continue playing for another season before he will consider calling time on his international and football career. Other than James Ha and Chan Kwong Ho (if he does get more first team opportunities with KC Southern), I do feel that Hong Kong could very well be lacking in other striker options going forward.

5. I do agree that Ju Yingzhi has not been able to perform internationally under Mixu Paatelainen and there are suitable candidates who could take his spot.

I would also add Roberto Affonso Junior, Helio Goncalves and possibly Tong Kin Man on the list too.

 

CSL players Dai Wai-tsun and Tan Chun-lok can boost Hong Kong team, says manager Mixu Paatelainen

• Mixu stated that both Tan Chun Lok and Dai Wai Tsun are both on his radar.
• It is also believed that R&F HK's Sean Tse and Eastern's Fernando Augusto Azevedo Pedriera (who should be eligible by November) are on top of Mixu's list for a call-up.
• Mixu is attempting to plan to have an international friendly for November “in front of the Hong Kong fans as they haven’t watched us for a long time,” he said. “We always want to get the players together to learn and develop and prepare for upcoming matches. But we are not sure if we can hold the match as we need to respect the government’s rules on social distancing under the pandemic. Players’ safety is always of the greatest priority.”
  
  

 

If it happens, the likeliest opponent is Macau due to logistics.

 

Dai Wai Tsun scores his first senior goal for Shenzhen FC:

Shenzhen FC beat Guangzhou R&F 2:0. Dai Wai Tsun opened the deadlock for Shenzhen. It is his 1st goal in CSL: took the ball away from the defender, dribbled past Dusko Tosic and scored from a close angle. The 21-year-old midfielder may represent China national team in the future. pic.twitter.com/QMRf3WWOoE

— Titan Sports (@titan_plus) August 29, 2020

 

I don't give a damn if he leads the CSL in scoring. He's a spineless person with no sense of loyalty. If he's too good for the HKNT then so be it, go enjoy the China team.

 

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't he still eligible to represent Hong Kong or am I missing something that I'm not aware of?

 

Eligible yes. Want to, no. And he has handled it extremely poorly since lying about not showing up to the HKNT practice.

 

Hah. I never had any doubt. In fact, I am glad he finally manned up and said it so the HKFA can stop stupidly including him in their preliminary squads.

 

I wonder if by Kowloon Bay Park they mean the Sports Ground or the football pitch. It should be the sports ground if they want to be fair to Happy Valley and R&F as the other four teams will be training on grass.

 

Sean Tse has blasted this the HKFA for being highly unprofessional and unreasonable. 2 weeks lead time after months off is not enough and he fears injury to many players.

 

According to Wenweipo, the first set of matches are as follows:

Southern vs R&F
Lee Man vs Happy Valley
Eastern vs Kitchee

 

JUST IN: AFC Cup 2020 cancelled. pic.twitter.com/frRs3Muewu

— Cedelf P. Tupas (@cedelfpt3) September 10, 2020

 

Eastern vs R&F on the final day.

Spicy.