Latest news with #ManuelBleda
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- 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
02-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Spain-born striker targets Hong Kong selection, after overcoming knee injury anguish
Manuel Bleda said he was 'dreaming' of a first call-up for the Hong Kong team after recovering from three operations on a badly damaged knee, and gaining a new contract with Eastern. Advertisement The Spain-born forward obtained his passport in February 2024, when he was still laid up with the torn cruciate ligament he suffered the previous summer. A return at the end of last season proved to be a false start, when Bleda, who was on loan from Lee Man, played as a substitute in Eastern's FA Cup final win over Sham Shui Po, but 'could still feel my knee was not secure'. 'When I got the passport last year, I wanted to play [for Eastern] as a local, but also to help the Hong Kong team,' Bleda said. 'I was unlucky with my injury … I went back to Spain [after the Cup final] and the doctors said my ACL was not working. 'I needed more surgery, and was back to the first day [of rehabilitation].' The following nine months were 'difficult every day', as Bleda recovered with Eastern. He said he would 'see my teammates training, while I was in the gym'. 'It was a very hard time … I needed a strong mind,' he added. After recapturing fitness, Bleda was handed a contract with Eastern, where he spent three years after coming to Hong Kong in 2016.
