Latest news with #BCRangers
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong footballer to resume career after rape conviction overturned
Yip Ka-yu is set to return to BC Rangers after the goalkeeper had his rape conviction overturned in June. In October 2023, Yip was sentenced to five years and three months in prison after he was convicted of raping a 17-year-old girl. The Court of Appeal determined that Yip had been left with no chance of receiving a not-guilty verdict, because the trial judge did not mention to the jury that he might have been under the 'genuine but mistaken belief' that the complainant agreed to have sex with him. His conviction and sentence were quashed, leaving the 28-year-old free to resume his football career. It has been reported that Yip will sign for Rangers, where he spent two years after joining from Kwai Tsing in 2015. Yip Ka-yu has been listed as a Rangers player by Transfermarkt. Photo: Handout A BC Rangers spokesman told the Post that the club 'don't have any comment on this issue at the moment', and asked that questions be directed to management when the club host a pre-season media day next Friday.
South China Morning Post
12-08-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Brazilian recruit backs Kowloon City plan to develop Hong Kong football talent
Kowloon City have signed only a handful of experienced players this summer, all on the proviso that they help develop the club's young talent. Advertisement The club's vice-chairman Andrew Mak Yung-pan has said that the club's overarching priority is to provide a clear professional pathway for promising young players. And one of the senior recruits, Luizinho, said he was fully behind an agreement that he said would be mutually beneficial. The 29-year-old Brazilian, who joined from BC Rangers, said: 'It is very important to pass on anything I can to try to help the young players, but they also help us. They bring energy every day, which keeps you motivated and makes you push even more. Luizinho (right) said his new club could challenge for silverware with their young squad. Photo: Jonathan Wong 'Training together, they get more experience, and step-by-step we will grow as a team. I liked the club's plan. You saw last season that they had a good team, the players were united like a family, and I wanted to come to help.' Advertisement Luizinho and Habib Bah, signed on loan from Tai Po, were the second and third oldest of the club's 16 summer recruits, behind 30-year-old midfielder Kessi Isac. Kowloon signed nine players aged 21 or younger.
South China Morning Post
08-06-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong striker ignoring selection controversy, aiming to make history against India
Manuel Bleda said he was ignoring outside noise over his Hong Kong call-up as the striker sets his sights on 'making history' when the city team welcome India to Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday. Advertisement The Spain-born player made a belated international debut in Thursday's 0-0 draw with Nepal. When he received his passport in February 2024, Bleda was recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament tear he suffered the previous pre-season. A May 2024 comeback proved to be a false start, and he would have to wait until March this year for his genuine return to action. However, Bleda's selection for Hong Kong despite not scoring in eight appearances for his club team Eastern – at the expense of 18-goal BC Rangers striker Lau Chi-lok – stoked the ire of supporters. Advertisement 'For me, it's no problem – I don't decide who comes and who does not; that is the coach's job,' Bleda said.
South China Morning Post
04-06-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong coach hits back at supporters, defends omission of fan favourite striker Lau
Hong Kong head coach Ashley Westwood has hit back at supporters who have questioned his decision to leave in-form striker Lau Chi-lok out of his latest squad. Advertisement The Englishman launched a staunch defence on Wednesday of his decision to leave the 31-year-old uncapped, and pointed out that none of his predecessors had opted to pick the BC Rangers player either. Lau was not named in the 24-man squad who will take on Nepal at Hong Kong Stadium on Thursday, despite scoring 18 goals in domestic football this season. And with few changes expected for next Tuesday's crunch Asian Cup qualifier against India at Kai Tak Stadium, the 31-year-old's first cap looks as far away as ever. Fans eager to see their hero included were left even angrier by a first call-up for recently naturalised Manuel Bleda, who has played just eight times for Eastern since he returned from a 19-month lay-off in March. Lau Chi-lok (right) scored 18 goals in domestic football this season for BC Rangers. Photo: BC Rangers Westwood said he had 'nothing against [Lau] personally', adding the striker did not have a permanent black mark against his name.
South China Morning Post
04-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
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. Advertisement 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.
