Latest news with #ChancyCooke
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Pakistan-born footballer aims to play for Hong Kong while serving the community
A Pakistan-born footballer has set himself the unusual twin target of playing for Hong Kong while maintaining a parallel career in civic life. Advertisement Naveed Khan scored 22 goals for Central & Western District last season, after stepping down to play in Division One while he concentrated on his job with Kowloon City District Council. The 25-year-old, who rejected a Pakistan call-up in 2019, has been snapped up by Hong Kong Football Club for the forthcoming Premier League campaign. 'I knew a Premier League team would come for me,' Khan said. 'I was hoping others would, but it was only HKFC, and I'm very grateful to them for this opportunity.' Head coach Chancy Cooke's semi-professional HKFC team typically train for two hours from 8am, freeing Khan to then spend eight hours in the office assisting district council member Dr Rizwan Ullah. Naveed Khan (second left) models the new Football Club away kit. Photo: Hong Kong Football Club 'People from ethnic minorities come to us for help,' said Khan, who was taught by Ullah at school.
South China Morning Post
07-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Football Club aiming to provide home for city's leading young talents
Hong Kong Premier League strugglers Football Club hope to entice some of the city's brightest emerging talents, after they committed to playing in the top flight for at least the next two seasons. Advertisement A 4-0 thumping at home by Lee Man last weekend was their 17th defeat of the season, condemning the Happy Valley side to ending the campaign bottom of the table. Chancy Cooke, the head coach, expects several players to leave the club, and left-back Callum Beattie has already signed a pre-contract agreement with Kitchee. The team's top-flight status was far from certain a year ago, before members voted in favour of continuing, and Cooke said the club would 'definitely be there' through the end of the 2026-27 season, 'barring relegation'. It is highly unlikely that football bosses would demote Cooke's team, with the Premier League operating with just nine clubs. And, despite a poor season, Football Club are drawing an average crowd of 619, the league's fourth highest. Football Club's Felix Perez-Doyle (centre) gets caught under the ball against BC Rangers. Photo: Elson Li A fairly healthy 953 turned up for Sunday's loss to Lee Man, their 12th league game without a victory.
South China Morning Post
22-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong FC head coach calls for Sapling Cup shake-up after full debut for 15-year-old
Football Club head coach Chancy Cooke called for a shake up of the Sapling Cup after his young team lost 3-1 to Tai Po on Saturday, their fourth defeat from four group matches. Advertisement Tai Po, who handed a debut to new defender Kevin Moreno at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground, had already qualified for next month's semi-finals, but their three points clinched Group A's top spot. Igor Sartori scored a penalty two minutes before half-time to join Matheus Chulapa, of North District, on a competition-high three goals, after Daniel Scally was penalised when Jerry Lam Lok-yin's cross crashed into his hand from close range. Substitute Michael Renner headed home Tai Po's second after 74 minutes. Football Club's 17-year-old forward, Nicholas Kedwards, angled home a firm drive shortly after his 79th-minute introduction, but Kevin Padilla streaked clear in stoppage time to beat goalkeeper James Wright and wrap-up the win. Sapling Cup rules dictate teams must field three players born on or after January 1, 2003, but Cooke, who started three 17-year-olds and one 21-year-old, and handed a full debut to 15-year-old striker Cai McGunnigle, believed sides should have to field more youngsters. Chancy Cooke with goalscorer Nicholas Kedwards following HKFC's 3-1 loss to Tai Po. Photo: Eugene Lee Tai Po started with the minimum three under-22s, an approach replicated in the day's second match by Eastern, who drew 1-1 with Kitchee to pip their opponents to Group A's second semi-final place.
