Latest news with #SaplingCup
South China Morning Post
02-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Japanese footballer torn over Hong Kong passport decision after domestic cup success
Southern's Sapling Cup triumph on Thursday has thrust two of their Japanese-born players into the Hong Kong selection conversation, with one hoping he enhanced his chances and the other torn over his eligibility. Advertisement Sohgo Ichikawa, who was earmarked as a future star when he played for Hong Kong under-15s as a 13-year-old in 2018, capped a fabulous individual display with the last goal in his side's astonishing 4-0 final rout of Lee Man. Captain Shu Sasaki delivered the pinpoint cross for Ichikawa to crown an incisive counter-attack, before orchestrating the raucous celebrations after full-time. 'At Southern, we're not special players, but everyone has spirit and helps each other – everyone has Southern blood,' wide player Sasaki said. He has been with the club for five years, after coming to Hong Kong from homeland Japan in 2018 to join Rangers. Sasaki, 34, who has also played for Pegasus, reached seven years' residence in February this year. Advertisement He is now wrestling with the decision over whether to swap nationality by applying for a passport. 'I was born in Japan and grew up there, but Hong Kong is my second home,' Sasaki said. 'I would love to play for Hong Kong but it's not an easy decision, I'm thinking about it.'
RTHK
02-05-2025
- Sport
- RTHK
Southern sink Lee Man to win Sapling Cup final
Southern sink Lee Man to win Sapling Cup final Southern's 4-0 triumph earned the club their second Sapling Cup title. Photo courtesy of Football Association of Hong Kong, China RTHK's Asia football correspondent Chris KL Lau reports Southern produced a dominant display against Lee Man to be crowned 2025 Sapling Cup champions after a dominant 4-0 win at the Mong Kok Stadium on Thursday. The victory earned Southern their second trophy in the club's history. It was a repeat of the final of two years ago, when Southern prevailed 2-0 against the same opponents. Southern opened the scoring in the 25th minute through midfielder Jonatan Acosta, before goals from Stefan Pereira and Kessi Isac secured a comfortable 3-0 lead at the break. Sohgo Ichikawa upped Southern's advantage in the 67th minute to seal the victory. Lee Man were not without their chances, but they failed to create any meaningful opportunities with shots hitting the bar and post several times. The Sapling Cup, which was founded in 2015, allows younger players to gain more experience at the top level.
South China Morning Post
01-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Sapling Cup final: Southern thump shellshocked Lee Man for shock triumph
Southern delivered an extraordinary Sapling Cup final performance to beat shellshocked Lee Man 4-0 and win the second trophy of the club's near-quarter-century history. Advertisement More to follow ...
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong football bosses fighting for unloved trophy that could decide their futures
While speculation persists over the future of the unloved Sapling Cup, the rookie coaches of Lee Man and Southern meeting in Thursday's final could have their long-term futures determined by it. Advertisement For either interim Southern boss Calvin Pui Ho-wang or Lee Man's caretaker manager, Chu Siu-kei, victory at Mong Kok Stadium would deliver the first silverware of their coaching career. Pui stepped up from his assistant role following the resignation of Yeung Ching-kwong in January. 'I never expected it, but when Ching-kwong left, I had no choice but to accept the challenge,' Pui said. 'There was a transition while the players adapted to my coaching and playing styles, and reaching the final is a reward for their hard work, and their belief and trust in me.' He said memories of Southern's 2-0 final win over Lee Man in 2023 – for the club's solitary major honour – would provide a psychological boost, especially for striker Stefan Pereira, 37, who scored both goals in that match. Stefan Pereira slides home one of his two goals in the 2023 Sapling Cup final. Photo: Yik Yeung-man 'A lot of fans and other people talk about his age and I know he wants to prove in the final that he is still one of the best goalscorers in Hong Kong,' Pui said.
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Japanese footballer labelled ‘Messi' seeks cup final redemption in Hong Kong
When Lee Man last reached the Sapling Cup final two years ago, Ryoya Tachibana remained glued to the bench in a 2-0 defeat by Southern. Advertisement There is little chance of the Japanese left-back being overlooked when the same two teams clash for the 2025 prize at Mong Kok Stadium on Thursday. Having fallen out of favour under previous coach Matt Holland, Tachibana underlined his resurgence on Sunday with an entry for goal of the season. Running from his own half, the 29-year-old scythed through Eastern before deftly lifting a finish over Hong Kong's best goalkeeper, Yapp Hung-fai. After Lee Man wrapped up the 2-1 win that kept them in the hunt for a second straight league title, supporters serenaded Tachibana with chants of 'Messi, Messi'. 'The win was so important … it was a good goal, the best of my career, but getting three points was all that mattered,' said Tachibana, who joked that the Lionel Messi comparison was especially sweet because he preferred the Argentine to his rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. Advertisement After an unbeaten league campaign last season, Lee Man have had a chaotic 2024-25. Interim coach Chu Siu-kei is in charge for the second time, after Tsang Chiu-tat paid the price for a poor start and Holland was ousted following a roller-coaster 13-game spell.
