Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium Asian Cup clash with India sells out
Hong Kong could play in front of a record home crowd on Tuesday after tickets for their Asian Cup qualifier against India at Kai Tak Stadium sold out.
While the Football Association of Hong Kong China would not give an official figure, a spokeswoman said attendance would be 'slightly fewer' than the venue's 50,000-seat capacity.
A sell-out would mark a stunning turnaround from last Thursday, when just 6,092 fans watched the city's team draw 0-0 in a friendly with Nepal at Hong Kong Stadium.
Kai Tak bosses originally planned to only partially open the stadium, given reservations over likely demand. But, after a strong initial sale, more tickets, priced at just HK$80 (US$10) and HK$200, were made available.
Fans have rushed to snap them up, and Hong Kong could break their 30-year-old attendance record, set when more than 40,000 reportedly crammed into Hong Kong Stadium for a 3-1 defeat to Yugoslavia in January 1995.
The largest home attendance in 2024 came when 8,236 watched head coach Ashley Westwood's side beat Guam, also at Hong Kong Stadium, to seal qualification for next month's East Asian Football Federation Championship finals.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
an hour ago
- RTHK
All local TV stations to broadcast National Games
All local TV stations to broadcast National Games Rosanna Law says all National Games programmes will be produced by CCTV. Photo: RTHK Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law on Monday said all television stations in Hong Kong will broadcast the upcoming National Games. At a Legco panel meeting, sports sector lawmaker Kenneth Fok asked if local broadcasters would be able to televise the events. Law said the programmes will be produced by China Central Television (CCTV), but all television stations in the SAR could broadcast the events live. "For Guangdong and Macau, CCTV will be producing the shows. Hong Kong is not an exception," she said. "According to the plan, all television stations in Hong Kong will broadcast the events. I know that they have their work plans, and they are working to show more events to the public." Law added that Hong Kong-themed merchandise for the National Games is expected to be launched later this month and will be available at stores from July. Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong will be co-hosting the Games, and Hong Kong will stage eight competition events.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Top seed Zheng Qinwen ‘thrilled' to play at Queen's Club as she moves on from French Open
Chinese No 1 Zheng Qinwen said she was focusing on Wimbledon as she worked to move on from her painful defeat to Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open. Advertisement The 22-year-old lost 7-6, 6-3 in the quarter-finals to the world No 1 but, despite her poor record against the Belarusian – who lost in the final to American Coco Gauff – she was disappointed with her own performance. The defeat came less than a year after she won Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games on the same courts, and Zheng said she felt the loss would teach her some valuable lessons. 'I blew so many chances during the match,' Zheng told Chinese state media. 'I did learn a lesson from the defeat. 'I hope whenever I'm in the same situation again, I can keep calm and control my nerves.' Zheng Qinwen (front) and Aryna Sabalenka meet at the net after their French Open quarter-final. Photo: Xinhua With the grass season under way, Wimbledon looms next – but first, Zheng will compete at Queen's Club, where the women's event returns after a 52-year absence.
South China Morning Post
5 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Lok Golf steps into the unknown: ‘If you never try, you never know'
Chris So-trained galloper's winning streak goes on the line at Happy Valley this Wednesday night Hong Lok Golf will put his winning streak on the line when he faces a tricky test on Happy Valley debut this Wednesday night. Victorious in five of six career starts – all at Sha Tin – including the past three on the bounce, Hong Lok Golf will step into unfamiliar territory for the Class Two Cheung Sha Handicap (1,650m). Fresh from a successful Sha Tin Sunday thanks to the victory of Perfectday, trainer Chris So Wai-yin is confident his stable star will take to the city circuit despite having never even trialled there. 'We didn't have too many options for him but owner [Jackie Wong See-sum] really wanted to race him again, so we picked Happy Valley,' said So. HONG LOK GOLF makes it five from six! 🔥 Chris So's rising star continues his red-hot form with a Class 2 win at Sha Tin under @HarryBentley_!# — Hong Kong Racing (@HongKong_Racing) May 4, 2025 'It seems like he will handle the track but we don't know yet – we have to take a chance. If you never try, you never know. 'I told the owner that many things are unknown but he said 'we have to try'. I think it might suit him.' So was thrilled to see Hong Lok Golf draw barrier four for his first appearance at the tight-turning Valley track, ensuring regular jockey Harry Bentley has options. 'It's a small field and having that good draw is most important. The horse is flexible – he can go in front or come from behind – and his form is still good,' said So of Hong Lok Golf, who coasted into second in a recent dirt trial. 'His trial was OK. It was just a soft trial and he looked good.' After Hong Lok Golf's most recent victory in a Class Two on May 4, So put May 31's Group Three Lion Rock Trophy (1,600m) on the table for his galloper. Four wins from five starts! 🤯 Hong Lok Golf just keeps getting better as Chris So lands a 400th Hong Kong win as a trainer... 👏 @HarryBentley_ #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 13, 2025 He eventually decided against throwing the son of Grunt in the deep end in a race won by Pray For Mir from 17lb out of the handicap. Cody Mo Wai-kit's charge, who Hong Lok Golf defeated in that Class Two in early May, was hit with a 21-point ratings hike for his troubles. Should Hong Lok Golf win again on Wednesday night and lift his rating well into the 90s, however, So will consider backing him up in the Group Three Premier Plate (1,800m) at Sha Tin on June 22. 'For the Group Three on the 31st, the handicap was no good for us. Cody's horse went up 21 points. That's no good – it's tough to win again,' said So. 'Maybe, we will see [whether we go to the Premier Plate] – let's see how he runs this week first. I want to give him a chance to run at Happy Valley and then we will see. 'I think the 1,650m is suitable for him now but eventually he may need further.' Hong Lok Golf is one of four runners for So at the fourth-last Valley meeting of the season. He also saddles up Young Striker, Our Lucky Glory and Know At Heart.
