In a press release today, the New York Cosmos confirmed they’ll be playing South China in the annual Lunar New Year Cup. This year’s match takes place on the 19 February, 2015 at HK Stadium, kick-off 3:30pm. Ticket details to finalised.
Lunar New Year Cup: South China v New York Cosmos
When: 3:30pm, 19 February, 2015
Where: HK Stadium
How much: tbc
More info: tbc
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/HK-v-Argentina-14-10-2014/44974444_kdN4t5#!i=3612613823&k=7SBMpPS
A second string Argentinean team barely got above walking pace as they out-classed a hard working Hong Kong side in the HKFA’s Centenary Match. A crowd of 20,000+ got what they came for though when Lionel Messi dazzled in a 30 minute cameo that had the crowd roaring in delight. Messi scored two goals – the first a lovely twisting run through the heart of HK’s defence – and set up a third to bring the enthusiastic crowd to life.
In truth it wasnt a great game, the gulf in class just too big – but Hong Kong could and should have scored on the counter-attack. In bringing his star names of the bench to entertain in the last 30 minutes, the fans were entertained and left happy. What more can you want from a friendly!
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/HK-v-Argentina-14-10-2014/44974444_kdN4t5#!i=3612590279&k=gVSv3BF
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/HK-v-Argentina-14-10-2014/44974444_kdN4t5#!i=3612676862&k=HmLBBXF
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/HK-v-Argentina-14-10-2014/44974444_kdN4t5#!i=3612694972&k=qns7dN3
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/HK-v-Argentina-14-10-2014/44974444_kdN4t5#!i=3612705573&k=M7CxDtF
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/HK-v-Argentina-14-10-2014/44974444_kdN4t5#!i=3612732583&k=GtVv5r9
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/HK-v-Argentina-14-10-2014/44974444_kdN4t5#!i=3612732276&k=VKWwXC7
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/HK-v-Argentina-14-10-2014/44974444_kdN4t5#!i=3612704584&k=V6cWt4B
Click on the photos to see more
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/HK-v-Argentina-14-10-2014/44974444_kdN4t5#!i=3612595458&k=T4hGC9X
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/HK-v-Argentina-14-10-2014/44974444_kdN4t5#!i=3612640876&k=GfGV52p
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/HK-v-Argentina-14-10-2014/44974444_kdN4t5#!i=3612648603&k=wMCQzgp
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/HK-v-Argentina-14-10-2014/44974444_kdN4t5#!i=3612646407&k=4fh2xgc
http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/HK-v-Argentina-14-10-2014/44974444_kdN4t5#!i=3612661798&k=4BmCwxd
Hong Kong’s squad for tonight’s international friendly against Singapore and Tuesday’s HK Football Association Centenary game against Argentina is announced. Match details below
| Goalkeepers | WANG Zhenpeng (Kitchee), YAPP Hung Fai (Eastern) |
| Defenders | LEE Chi Ho (Eastern), Wisdom Fofo AGBO (Harbin Yiteng), NAEGELEIN Andy Hannes Ling Fung (Hunan Xiangtao F.C.), CHEUNG Kin Fung (Kitchee), CHAN Wai Ho, KWOK Kin Pong, SEALY, Jonathan Jack (South China), LEUNG Kwun Chung (YFCMD) |
| Midfielders | HUANG Yang, LAM Ka Wai, LO Kwan Yee (Kitchee), CHAN Siu Kwan Philip, LEUNG Chun Pong (South China), JU Yingzhi (Sun Pegasus), WONG Wai (YFCMD) |
| Forwards | LAM Hok Hei (Rangers), Christian Kwesi ANNAN, XU Deshuai (Kitchee), CHAN Man Fai (Sun Pegasus), CHAN Siu Ki, LEE Wai Lim (South China) |
Match Details:
Hong Kong v Singapore
Where: Mong Kok
When: 8pm, 10 October, 2014
How Much:
More info: www.hkfa.org
HKFA Centennial Celebration Match: Hong Kong vs Argentina
When: 14 October, 2014
Where: Hong Kong Stadium
How much: $1800, $1300, $850, $590, $490 from Cityline.com
More info: www.hkfa.com
The wonderful sounding Hong Kong Beach Festival 2014 takes place from the 11-26 October at several locations across the territory. It’s sponsored by the HK Jockey Club and organized by six National Sports Associations, namely Hong Kong Canoe Union, Hong Kong Football Association, Handball Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Rowing Association, Hong Kong Rugby Football Union and the Volleyball Association of Hong Kong.
Except all is not quite as it seems… while the Opening Ceremony will be held at Repulse Bay on October 11, 2014. With the Beach Rugby and the Rowing competitions also being held in Repulse Bay. There’s sea kayaking and surfski competitions in Stanley on 26 October.
Only in Hong Kong, with all the lovely beaches we have, would we construct a sand court on a playground… Yep the venue for Beach Football, Beach Handball and Beach Volleyball will be at the Sha Tsui Road Playground, Tsuen Wan where a sand court has been built. The Closing Ceremony will also be held there on October 26, 2014.
More details and event schedule here https://www.facebook.com/HKBeachFestival2014 – while the schedule’s are in English, sadly the event text is only in Chinese.
The Hong Kong Football Association announced that with the agreement of the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino the star-studded Argentina National Team will play against the Hong Kong National Team on October 14th 2014 at the Hong Kong Stadium, to celebrate the Hong Kong Football Association’s Centenary. Tickets go on sale today.
The Hon. Timothy Fok, President of the HKFA welcomed the Argentines’ arrival saying: We are very excited and honoured to play host to the two-time World Cup champions and runners-up at this year’s World Cup. The team is full of fantastic players who will capture the hearts of every football fan in Hong Kong. The chance to play against one of the world’s best teams is a unique opportunity for our local players and will help us in developing Hong Kong football to an elite international level.
The HKFA has confirmed that the Hong Kong National Team will be the team to play against the Argentina National Team. Brian Leung, Chairman of the HKFA said, “We are proud that we are able to invite such a top team to Hong Kong to celebrate our centennial anniversary. I am looking forward to strong support from local football fans to cheer on our players as they compete against the world’s best.”
The President of AFA, Mr Julio Grondona, described the event saying “For our institution, the Argentine Football Association, it is an honour to have been invited to play in this significant friendly match with the team of Hong Kong under the celebration of its centenary. At the same time, we take this opportunity to congratulate the Football Association of Hong Kong and we are sure that our National Team will offer our best efforts to create an unforgettable experience for all who can be present in the Hong Kong Stadium. In the name of the Executive Committee of the AFA, I send my warm regards and best wishes.”
HKFA CEO Mark Sutcliffe added “The AFA has promised to bring the big names to Hong Kong. Obviously most people will be hoping to see Messi play in Hong Kong but there are many other stars too. Hosting the two-times World Champion is an unbelievable honour for Hong Kong and is a fitting way to celebrate our 100 years.”
HKFA Centennial Celebration Match: Hong Kong vs Argentina
When: 14 October, 2014
Where: Hong Kong Stadium
How much: $1800, $1300, $850, $590, $490 from Cityline.com
More info: www.hkfa.com
Hong Kong’s efforts to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup continue with two home games against the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan in October and November. Ticket details from www.hkfa.com
What: Asian Cup 2015 Qualifiers – Hong Kong vs UAE
When: 8pm, 15 October, 2013
Where: Hong Kong Stadium
What: Asian Cup 2015 Qualifiers – Hong Kong vs Uzbekistan
When: 8pm, 19 November, 2013
Where: Hong Kong Stadium
How much: $100 for adults and $30 for students and senior citizens.
For more details about the matches and tickets, www.hkfa.com.
While many football fans will have their eyes turned towards the television as Europe’s leagues begin their 2013-14 seasons, there’s also a lot of local football to watch and cheer. 49 teams compete across 4 divisions, the Division 1 season kicks off on the 30th August with 11 teams looking to replace 2013 Champions South China at the top of the table come seasons end. Details of fixtures can be found on the the Hong Kong Football Association website www.hkfa.com which also feature details of junior teams, skills training and for those looking for a challenge a free fantasy HK Football Manager League.
The Barclays Asia Trophy is a four-team pre-season friendly football tournament held this year from the 24 to 27 July 2013 at the Hong Kong Stadium and in Asia every two years and in odd years, to avoid conflicts with the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Football Championship tournaments. The competition is contested by three Premier League football clubs, this year’s boasts Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and the home team, South China, winner of the 2012/2013 Hong Kong First Division League.
The semi-finals took place on 24 July 2013, but with torrential rain and extremely poor conditions as the pitch turned into a mud bath, the games were played over 80 minutes, rather than the usual 90 minutes. In the first game, Sunderland beat Tottenham Hotspur 3–1 to proceed to the final. Manchester City defeated South China 1–0 in the other semi-final.
Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore, said: “We are hugely excited at the Premier League to be bringing the Barclays Asia Trophy back to Hong Kong for a third time. The 2011 tournament was without doubt our most successful to date and the atmosphere inside the Hong Kong Stadium on both nights was particularly memorable. I believe we are bringing to the Barclays Asia Trophy Hong Kong our strongest ever line-up of teams. In Manchester City, we have the Barclays Premier League runner up taking part. Tottenham Hotspur play the exciting attacking brand of football that makes the Premier League the most watched league in the world, while Paolo Di Canio ahead of his first full season in the Barclays Premier League is sure to bring a tough Sunderland side to Hong Kong. “They are clubs of outstanding pedigree and history who represent the best of the Barclays Premier League: they have some of the world’s best footballers, they are winners and they also have many fans in Hong Kong that they are looking forward to entertaining.”
Andre Villas-Boas, Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach said: “We’re delighted to have the chance to play in the Barclays Asia Trophy, a tournament the Club won when we last took part, in 2009. Over recent years we have seen a significant increase in our fan base across Asia and this tournament provides us with an excellent opportunity to give something back to our supporters in Asia. The tournament is made that much more special for us by the participation of South China FC, a close partner of ours with whom we enjoy a fantastic relationship.”
Mark Sutcliffe, CEO of the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) hopes that local football fans had a good time enjoying the talent on display by the Premier League teams. “The HKFA is proud and honoured to be hosting the 2013 Barclays Asia Trophy,” he said. “When the event was in Hong Kong in 2011 it was hugely popular and a very exciting tournament. The 2013 competition proved to be even more entertaining and to have two of the top five teams in arguably the best league in the world – Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur – playing in Hong Kong is a rare privilege and the third team, Sunderland, proved to be a big draw with their passionate new manager”. South China chairman Steven Lo added “Football in Hong Kong is undergoing a revival at present and it was a real thrill for local fans.” It was South China’s second appearance in the competition, having made their debut when the tournament first came to Hong Kong six years ago and it is especially meaningful to South China fans that we can meet our club partner Tottenham Hotspur again in the match here,”
The Barclays Asia Trophy 2013 is the competition’s sixth edition, with the five previous Premier League Asia Trophy competitions having been played in Kuala Lumpur in 2003, Bangkok in 2005, Hong Kong in 2007, Beijing in 2009 and Hong Kong again in 2011.
What: Barclays Asia Trophy
When: 24, 27 July, 2013 – Wednesday: 6pm, Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland; 8:30pm, Manchester City v South China; Saturday: 6pm, Third place play-off; 8:30pm, Final
Where: Hong Kong Stadium
How much: Wednesday: $500, $350, $300, $250; Saturday: $600, $450, $400, $300 from www.cityline.com
