Topic
The Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) is the governing body for football in Hong Kong. Established in 1909, it is one of the oldest football associations in Asia and organises various football competitions from professional to youth level in Hong Kong. It also oversees the Hong Kong national team. In 1954, the HKFA joined Fifa and it was one of the founding members of the Asian Football Confederation. In recent years, major attempts have been made to improve both the organisation’s governance and the quality of Hong Kong football under the government’s ‘Project Phoenix’ plan.
Lionel Messi’s no-show on the pitch at Hong Kong Stadium was a slap in the face for fans, and organisers – including the government – have a lot to answer for.
While fans are understandably excited about the impending arrival of the football great, the Asian Cup campaign by the Hong Kong team deserves the city’s full support.
Some 23 arrests, including coach and players, by Hong Kong graft-buster have shocked the local game.
The local game’s use of video technology will assist referees, but every effort must be made to ensure its introduction is smooth and that it enjoys the confidence of officials, players and – most of all – fans.
Hong Kong’s first home international fixture for three years should be remembered for its play, not the booing of the national anthem by a minority of fans.
- Inter Miami issues statement in response to fierce criticism over Sunday’s doomed exhibition match in Hong Kong
- American club complete preseason tour with game against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo on Wednesday
Three days after their minor roles in the Inter Miami circus, several players feature in the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup, joined by Ellison Tsang despite him quitting the city for UK because local pay was ‘insufficient to continue playing here’.
Readers discuss what the city should focus on after Lionel Messi’s failure to play in a much-publicised match, the need for accountability from event organisers, and the silver lining to the game.
A single piece of paper leaves David Beckham’s US club with questions to answer, after they depart Hong Kong leaving a trail of heartbreak and acrimony over the no-show of star player Lionel Messi.
Inter Miami head to the next leg of their tour in Tokyo, but some in Hong Kong argue Lionel Messi should not play there either, out of fairness, while others tell Japanese to expect a scam.
Xinjiang man feels ‘cheated’ after travelling over 5,000km to see Lionel Messi play in Hong Kong, while online poll is held as blame game begins over Argentinian’s no-show.
After the Argentinian played no part in a much-hyped match in the city, the Post examines who knew what and when, and what took place behind the scenes as the saga unfolded.
Home goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai says ‘not playing against Messi was disappointing’ after Argentinian sat out Inter Miami’s 4-1 win in Hong Kong, but city’s coach Jorn Andersen has other priorities.
Inter Miami coach acknowledges ‘a lot of disappointment’ over Messi and Luis Suarez not playing, saying it was ‘the decision of the medical team’ earlier in the day, after fans booed and chanted for refunds.
A 40,000-strong crowd that includes the city’s leader John Lee watch the match after musical performances by Keung To, G.E.M and Gareth T.
Inter Miami’s opponents, a Hong Kong invitational side, ‘will go out and push them’, coach Jorn Andersen says.
Calum Hall is poised to face the World Cup winner and his Inter Miami teammates in a packed Hong Kong Stadium, less than a year after playing part-time in Scotland’s fifth tier.
US team hold training in front of thousands of fans at Hong Kong Stadium, and organisers again warn against travelling to Causeway Bay without tickets, or buying them from third parties.
US side’s coach Gerado Martino acknowledges side’s ‘imperfections, mistakes in the preseason’, after leaving Saudi Arabia hours after 6-0 drubbing at hands of Al Nassr.
Lawmaker Perry Yiu says more such sporting events will help with the development of the tourism industry locally.
Hundreds of fans greet Argentinian and his teammates outside hotel, with tens of thousands expected to attend training session and game this weekend.
Argentinian on bench with hamstring issue for match in Saudi Arabia against Al Nassr, who humble his side without the already injured Ronaldo as the star duo’s ‘last dance’ fails to materialise.
Goalie Yapp Hung-fai is Hong Kong’s most capped player, while Philip Chan Siu-kwan could have followed in his father’s footsteps to become a jockey but chose football instead
Hong Kong head coach Jorn Andersen is open to the idea of playing home games at Mong Kok Stadium, after a raucous crowd inspired his team to victory over a Guangdong XI.
Cristiano Ronaldo dealing with muscle injury that forced cancellation of two games in China last week, so will miss Al Nassr side’s game against Inter Miami on Thursday
Hong Kong give their ecstatic supporters at Mong Kok Stadium plenty to shout about as they outplay a Guangdong XI in 2-0 win.
Hong Kong will stick to the team’s combative approach when a young side take on a Guangdong XI at Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday.
Days after performing in front of thousands, Hong Kong players return to domestic action in more modest surroundings, where supporters question whether local FA is doing enough.
‘It is a Hong Kong player in a better league, which is positive,’ coach Jorn Andersen says after Matt Orr joins Sichuan Jiuniu – and he explains make-up of squad for friendly against Inter Miami.
Wu Chun-ming, one of the stand-out performers of city side’s Asian Cup campaign, says it is imperative players maintain their fitness levels when they return to club comfort zones.
All you need to know about Miami’s stop in Hong Kong during their preseason tour, including who is coming and when, and how to see Lionel Messi and co if you didn’t get match tickets.
