|
Hong Kong was a pioneer of Asian football. Its domestic league is probably the oldest professional organisation in all of Asia and clubs such as South China provided the lead when it came to performances on and off the pitch. The national team came in third in the Asian Cup in 1956.
It is perhaps difficult to envision such a time when football was such a thriving past time.
In more recent history though, Hong Kong has found it difficult to return to its glory days. Its professional league of 9 teams is trying its best to recapture the fans.
Occasionally though, the national team provides a reminder of its potential. A historic 2-1 triumph over regional powers Thailand in qualifying for the 2004 Asian Cup has Hong Kong's confidence soaring.
In the run-up to their 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany qualifications round, they stunned more fancied Malaysian side twice and had the honour of denying China PR into the final rounds of the Asian qualification.
Hong Kong, though, is planning ahead and has already started now to prepare for the 2008 Olympics with its special project squad headed by coach Lai Sun Cheung. Initial signs are positive as the young team bulldozed through the East Asian Football Federation preliminaries scoring four consecutive home victories over Chinese Taipei (2-0), Macao (3-0), Mongolia (10-0) and Guam (11-0), with Cheung Sai-ho and Au Wai-lun being rewarded as best player and top scorer.
|
