Latest news with #Kitchee
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong women's footballer calls for government backing as team eyes Asian Cup return
Vicky Chung Pui-ki has called on the government to pump more money into women's football in the city, as Hong Kong ramp up preparations for the start of their AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in late June. Advertisement In tri-series matches over the past week, the city team drew with hosts Bhutan and beat Malaysia in their last scheduled fixtures before they battle the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Cambodia for one spot in the 2026 finals in Australia. Chung said the women's game in Hong Kong had 'grown up' since her international debut in 2017, with the head coach Ricardo Rambo's team boasting players from leagues in England, Taiwan and mainland China. Chung had time with Scottish club Kilmarnock in the 2019-2020 season. Nonetheless, the 27-year-old Kitchee defender, who raised the possibility of following in the footsteps of Chan Yuen-ting as a female head coach in the men's game, lamented the absence of a full-time domestic competition in Hong Kong. 'We have so many talented young girls, but we could have more support from the government to give us the platform to promote women's football, and we could have a professional league in Hong Kong,' Chung said. Vicky Chung wants a professional women's league in Hong Kong. Photo: Kitchee Chung, whose team have an FA Cup final against their biggest rivals TSL on Sunday, coaches in schools to supplement her income.
South China Morning Post
23-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Kitchee confident of avoiding Manchester United-style decline, closing on new boss
While Manchester United sank farther from competitive relevance this week, Hong Kong's own fallen giants were plotting a speedy return to local supremacy. Unlike United's decade-long drift to the margins, Kitchee's drop-off has been sharp and shocking. When they won the Senior Shield in February 2024, the interim head coach Kim Dong-jin fielded questions about landing a potential quadruple. Ultimately, they did not come close to more silverware, and, certainly in terms of results, this has been a season of regression. Kitchee are a distant fourth in a four-horse title race, and have not reached one cup final. For delivering the club's first season without a trophy since 2009-10, other than the under-22 FA Cup they won on Wednesday, head coach Edgar Cardoso paid with his job. Former Hong Kong boss Gary White is not in contention for the Kitchee job, according to Ken Ng Kin. Photo: HKFA Ken Ng Kin, the Kitchee president, said he was in negotiations with Cardoso's prospective replacement, and hoped to confirm the appointment early next month.
South China Morning Post
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Wrexham off to flier at Hong Kong Soccer Sevens, former Arsenal star sent off on debut
Women's headline act Wrexham launched their debut HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens campaign with a pair of tense 1-0 victories on Friday night. Advertisement In their opening game, against Chonburi FC of Thailand, Grace Morris scored the only goal for the Welsh club, who gained global prominence after their 2021 Hollywood takeover by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. In their second match, Ava Suckley scored to beat Singapore team Eastern Thunder. The 2024 runners-up, Kitchee, began with a 1-1 draw against Eastern Thunder, before a Cheung Wai-ki goal gave them a 1-0 victory over hosts Football Club. In the Masters tournament, Lee Man's head coach, Chu Siu-kei, warmed up for a crunch weekend in the local Premier League title race by scoring for Ampcontrol Discovery Bay in their 2-0 victory over Wallsend Boys Club HK. Advertisement The former Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had a short-lived competition debut, after he was sent off for a professional foul in Yau Yee League All Stars' 2-0 loss to HKFC Masters.
South China Morning Post
03-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Lee Man president out to avoid more head coach errors, wants to spend HK$25m budget wisely
Lee Man president Norman Lee Man-yan has taken responsibility for the club's turbulent Hong Kong Premier League campaign and vowed to avoid a repeat of his mistakes from the past 12 months. Advertisement Champions last season, the club have burned through managers this time around, while a number of high-profile signings have flopped. Former head coach Tsang Chiu-tat left in October, while replacement Matt Holland lasted just 13 games. Chu Siu-kei, in temporary charge for the second time, has hauled Lee Man back into the title race and, ahead of a trip to Football Club on Sunday, they are a point behind leaders Tai Po, with four games remaining. Given what was at stake, Lee said it 'wouldn't be appropriate to disclose too many things' about his coaching team for next season. He has 'spoken to a few people who are interested in the [head coach] position', however, and did not rule out appointing Chu permanently. Matt Holland, who had only 13 matches in charge, on the touchline during a clash with Kitchee. Photo: Nora Tam 'We're interviewing coaches from overseas and locally,' Lee said. 'Last time, I made a mistake hiring the head coach. This time, I want to talk with more people and find a more suitable candidate.'
South China Morning Post
27-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ex-Brighton goalkeeper in dark over Hong Kong football future
Former Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper, Fynn Talley, said he was still waiting to hear whether Kitchee would hand him a contract extension for next season. Advertisement Talley has been one of few shining lights in a bleak season for the club, after he signed from Peterborough United last summer. The Englishman has defied expectations by claiming a regular starting spot, given most clubs prefer to have their six foreign players in outfield positions. And Talley, who has kept five clean sheets in 21 appearances, said he would 'love to stay another season'. The Post has learned that Jay Haddow, the 21-year-old defender, has signed a new two-year contract, although he is on course to receive a Hong Kong passport, and qualify as a local player, before next season. After Kitchee won a drab match 3-1 against Football Club on Saturday, Talley said: 'We have three more games, then I don't know what's going on, I'm waiting to hear something.
