Hong Kong new boy rewarded for 8-year gamble, shares heartbreak over war in Ukraine
Oleksii Shliakotin cashed in on a personal eight-year gamble when he was included in the Hong Kong squad to face Nepal this week.
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After arriving in the city to join Biu Chun Glory Sky in November 2016, Ukraine-born Shliakotin 'fell in love with the best place in the world'.
Within a year, he had resolved to qualify as a local and represent Hong Kong. His choice meant that, as a foreign goalkeeper competing with outfielders for overseas spots, Shliakotin had to accept limited club football for the rest of his seven-year qualification period.
'I knew it wouldn't be easy,' the BC Rangers No 1 said. 'My long-term plan was to use the time when I knew I wouldn't play all the matches to set up businesses for after my career.
'I wanted them operating without my involvement by the time I had my passport.'
Oleksiy Shliakotin has waited patiently for his opportunity with the representative side. Photo: @JACK.8th
Shliakotin has launched successful coaching and goalkeeper glove enterprises and, at the age of 35, can focus on football.
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