Hong Kong kicked off the Ernie Merrick era in style with a convincing 5-1 victory over Chinese Taipei at Mongkok Stadium tonight (29 February).

Striker Chan Siu Ki netted a hat-trick while Lee Hong Lim and substitute Chan Man Fai also hit the target to the delight of a near-capacity crowd.

It was an excellent start for new Hong Kong coach Merrick, who took up the post last month after a successful career in Australia.

“We played very well,” said a delighted Merrick. “It was important to get a good result, but it was more important for us to play with style and that is what we did.

“We were solid at the back, creative in midfield and we shared the goals around – although of course I’m delighted that Siu Ki scored a hat-trick!”

Hong Kong made a dream start with Chan Siu Ki scoring twice in the first five minutes, each time escaping his marker for a simple finish inside the penalty area.

Lee Hong Lim then beat the offside trap and side-footed past Chinese Taipei goalkeeper Lu Kun Chi to make it 3-0 after 16 minutes.

But Hong Kong conceded a goal on the stroke of half-time when a period of Chinese Taipei pressure finished with striker Kuo Yin Hung glancing in at the near post from a left-wing corner.

Chan Man Fai, a half-time substitute for midfielder Lam Ka Wai, made an immediate impact when he ran on to a through ball down the inside right channel and smashed home in the 47th minute.

And Chan Siu Ki, after several near misses, claimed his hat-trick when he side-footed home a low cross from hard-working right back Lo Kwan Yee with eight minutes remaining.

While happy with the win, Merrick sounded a note of warning. “We can’t get carried away,” he insisted. “We have to build on tonight’s result and get better.”

Chan Siu Ki was quick to praise his colleagues. “It was the contribution of my teammates that allowed me to score three goals,” said the South China striker.

“The coach asked us to press the opposition and force them into mistakes and we achieved that. We’ve seen a few new faces introduced into the squad. Under the new coach the team selection is more bold and we have a more attacking style.”

The HKFA is hopeful of organising Hong Kong’s next international in June once the domestic season has been completed.

TEAMS

Hong Kong (4-2-3-1): 1-Yapp Hung Fai; 12-Lo Kwan Yee, 15-Chan Wai Ho, 2-Lee Chi Ho, 20-Chak Ting Fung; 6-Huang Yang, 16-Leung Chun Pong; 11-Au Yeung Yiu Chung (21-Lau Nim Yat, 71 mins), 10-Lam Ka Wai (22-Chan Man Fai, 46 mins), 8-Lee Hong Lim (14-Fong Pak Lun, 56 mins); 7-Chan Siu Ki. Not used: 18-Tse Tak Him, 4-Bai He, 5-Ng Wai Chiu, 17-Chen Liming.

Chinese Taipei (4-4-2): 1-Lu Kun Chi; 15-Chen Yi Wei (16-Chou Victor Zi Hsuan, 72 mins), 4-Lin Cheng Yi, 26-Lee Meng Chian (2-Chen Shan Fu, 52 mins), 6-Chen Yu Lin (3-Chiang Min Han, 81 mins); 9-Wen Chih Hao, 14-Feng Pao Hsing (12-Chan Che Yuan, 27 mins), 17-Chen Po Liang, 10-Hung Kai Chun; 7-He Ming Chan (20-Chiu I Huan, 66 mins), 8-Kuo Yin Hung (11-Wu Chun Ching, 66 mins). Not used: 18-Pan Wei Chih.

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Skipper Chan Wai Ho is calling on his Hong Kong teammates to kick off the Ernie Merrick era with a convincing victory on Wednesday (29 February).

Hong Kong will take on Chinese Taipei in an eagerly awaited clash at Mongkok Stadium (start time, 8:00pm) – Merrick’s first match in charge.

The fixture also takes place against a background of government-backed reform at the HKFA, meaning hopes are high that local football is on the way back up.

“This is an important game for Hong Kong and it is vital we play well and win,” said Chan. “We are approaching this game with confidence. We’re at home and we hope the fans can really get behind the team and cheer us on to victory.

“We are in the middle of our season, so we are all in good shape and ready to play. As a squad we are really looking forward to the match.”

Merrick, the two-time Australian A-League Coach of the Year, took up his new post as the Hong Kong Football Association’s Head Coach last month.

Together with assistants Szeto Man Chun and Poon Man Tik and goalkeeping coach Fan Chun Yip, he has been putting the squad through their final paces in a team training camp.

South China defender Chan said the players had responded positively to the new regime. “Our new coach has brought immediate changes and improvement and the players really feel like it is the start of something fresh,” he said.

“In the past, players were selected for Hong Kong because they were always selected. But now, they are chosen based on their performances for their clubs.

“The players now have a target to play for, fighting for the chance to play for Hong Kong. We are working even harder because we know we have to perform well to stay in the team.”

Tickets for the Hong Kong v Chinese Taipei match – priced $60 for adults and $20 for children and senior citizens – can be bought at Mongkok Stadium from 10:00am on Wednesday.

Almost half of the venue’s 6,500 seats have been sold and the HKFA is urging fans to buy tickets as early as possible to avoid lengthy queues in the build-up to kickoff at 8:00pm.

“We have enjoyed brisk ticket sales and are expecting Mongkok Stadium to be extremely busy for this highly anticipated fixture,” said HKFA CEO Gordon McKie.

“We are anxious to avoid a situation where ticketless fans turn up just before kickoff and either miss the start of the game or perhaps even not get in at all. So the message is, buy a ticket as early as possible, arrive in plenty of time, and enjoy some pre-match entertainment.’’

Mongkok Stadium is the only venue selling tickets on match day. Other ticketing outlets will cease sales on the evening of Tuesday, 28 February.

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Released on behalf of the Hong Kong Football Association by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Hong Kong coach Ernie Merrick is banking on striker Chan Siu Ki to be both goal scorer and provider in Wednesday evening’s clash with Chinese Taipei.

Throughout the build-up to the game Merrick has been emphasising the need for wide players and midfielders to get into attacking positions and he believes Chan has a vital role to play in that respect.

“All strikers are judged by their goals and Siu Ki is no different,” said Merrick after training at Po Kong Village Road Sports Ground in Diamond Hill today (27 February).

“He’s in the team to score goals but, at the same time, I’m looking to him to bring others into play. We need to share the goal scoring burden around the team.

“Siu Ki is a very good striker and his link-up play is excellent. I’m sure he will be an important player for us on Wednesday.”

Hong Kong face Chinese Taipei at Mongkok Stadium at 8:00pm on Wednesday in what will be Merrick’s first match in charge.

The two-time Australian A-League Coach of the Year took up his new post as the Hong Kong Football Association’s Head Coach last month.

One player who will miss out on Wednesday is defender Cheung Kin Fung, who suffered an ankle injury playing for TSW Pegasus in the Halewinner League Cup on Saturday.

“It’s unfortunate for Kin Fung because he had been doing well for us in training,” said Merrick. “But injuries are part of the game and you can never rely on one player. We still have a squad of 20 and plenty of depth so it is not a major concern for us.”

Tickets for the match – priced $60 for adults and $20 for children and senior citizens – can be bought online through Cityline at www.cityline.com or by calling the hotline 2111 5333.

Fans wishing to buy in person can do so at Parsons Music – shop locations can be found at www.cityline.com/eng/helpdesk/outlet.jsp.

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Teenager Fong Pak Lun is poised to combine his school exams with playing for Hong Kong after being named in the national squad to face Chinese Taipei next week.

The 18-year-old, a student at La Salle College in Kowloon Tong, is due to sit exams on Monday and Tuesday before pulling on his boots for Wednesday evening’s clash at Mongkok Stadium.

“The school has given me permission to skip the test on Monday as it doesn’t count towards my overall result,” revealed Fong. “I will sit another exam at 10am on Tuesday and then join the squad for training.”

Fong received a phone call from Hong Kong coach Ernie Merrick today (23 February) to inform him he was in the final squad to face Chinese Taipei.

“My schoolmates were with me when the coach called,” he said. “When they heard the news, they were all excited and shouted, ‘Yes!’

“I’m delighted to be included in the squad for the first time. I hope to learn from my teammates in training and impress the coach so that I can appear in the match from the bench. I’m confident we will win.”

Merrick insisted the Sham Shui Po midfielder deserved his call-up. “Fong isn’t in the squad simply because it makes a nice story,” said the coach. “He has been chosen because he is a good player. He’s still raw, but he has a lot of potential and will benefit from the exposure to international football.

“We understand his study commitments so, of course, we will work around those and ensure he fulfils the requirements of his school.”

Hong Kong will take on Chinese Taipei at Mongkok Stadium on Wednesday 29 February (kickoff 8:00pm) in a match heralding the start of a new era under Merrick, who took up his post as the Hong Kong Football Association’s Head Coach last month.

Merrick has chosen a squad of 21 for his first game in charge. Eight First Division clubs are represented with South China providing the biggest contingent of seven players.

South China defender Chan Wai Ho, the national team captain before Merrick’s arrival, will continue in the role.

Merrick added: “In total we have seven players in the squad who are 23 or under, so it shows there is plenty of young talent in Hong Kong.

“While I’ve had limited time with the squad with only three training sessions so far, the players have caught on very quickly to what we are asking them to do and their attitude has been first-class. I think we have a good mix of youth and experience and I’m very much looking forward to the match.”

Tickets for the match – priced $60 for adults and $20 for children and senior citizens – can be bought online through Cityline at www.cityline.com or by calling the hotline 2111 5333.

Fans wishing to buy in person can do so at Parsons Music – shop locations can be found at www.cityline.com/eng/helpdesk/outlet.jsp.

Hong Kong squad v Chinese Taipei on 29 February (shirt number, player, club, age):

Goalkeepers: 18-Tse Tak Him (Citizen), 27; 1-Yapp Hung Fai (South China), 21.
Defenders: 15-Chan Wai Ho (South China), 29; 13-Cheung Kin Fung (TSW Pegasus), 28; 2-Lee Chi Ho (South China), 29; 5-Ng Wai Chiu (TSW Pegasus), 30; 20-Chak Ting Fung (Biu Chun Rangers), 22.
Midfielders: 3-Liu Songwei (Biu Chun Rangers), 22; 10-Lam Ka Wai (Kitchee), 26; 16-Leung Chun Pong (South China), 25; 6-Huang Yang (Kitchee), 28; 4-Bai He (South China), 28; 14-Fong Pak Lun (Sham Shui Po), 18; 12-Lo Kwan Yee (Kitchee), 27; 8-Lee Hong Lim (TSW Pegasus), 28; 21-Lau Nim Yat (TSW Pegasus), 22.
Forwards: 22-Chan Man Fai (Kitchee), 23; 9-Yip Tsz Chun (Tuen Mun), 26; 7-Chan Siu Ki (South China), 26; 11-Au Yeung Yiu Chung (South China), 22; 17-Chen Liming (Wofoo Tai Po), 24.

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Released on behalf of the Hong Kong Football Association by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Fans are being urged to buy tickets now for next week’s Hong Kong v Chinese Taipei clash to avoid disappointment.

The Hong Kong Football Association is expecting the 6,500-seat Mongkok Stadium to be extremely busy for Hong Kong’s first match under new coach Ernie Merrick.

And that means there is a chance that supporters who turn up intending to pay on the door might not get in.

“We are asking fans to buy tickets early to ensure they can see the match,” said HKFA CEO Gordon McKie. “We understand Hong Kong is a ‘last minute’ town and that there is a walk-up culture among football supporters.

“But this game is at Mongkok Stadium, which is about one-sixth the capacity of Hong Kong Stadium, so there is limited seating.

“There are also security concerns about large numbers of fans arriving just before the game. So the message is, buy a ticket now and get there early, and enjoy some pre-match entertainment.’’

Last Saturday’s Canbo Senior Shield final between Sunray Cave JC Sun Hei and South China at Hong Kong Stadium attracted a crowd of more than 6,000, the vast majority of whom paid on the day.

“We hope to avoid a similar situation for the Chinese Taipei game,” confirmed McKie. “If we have that number of ticketless fans arriving at Mongkok Stadium, then some of them will miss the start of the game or perhaps even not be able to get in at all.”

Hong Kong v Chinese Taipei will take place on Wednesday, 29 February, kickoff 8:00pm. Tickets – priced $60 for adults and $20 for children and senior citizens – can be bought online through Cityline at www.cityline.com or by calling the hotline 2111 5333.

Fans wishing to buy in person can do so at Parsons Music – shop locations can be found at www.cityline.com/eng/helpdesk/outlet.jsp.

The match will be Hong Kong’s first under outing under two-time Australian A-League Coach of the Year Merrick, who took up his new post as the HKFA’s Head Coach last month.

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Released on behalf of the Hong Kong Football Association by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Hong Kong’s players are asking fans to turn out in force when they kick off a new era against Chinese Taipei next week.

The match will be Hong Kong’s first under new head coach Ernie Merrick and takes place against a background of government-backed reform at the HKFA.

“We are well prepared and confident about the game,” said midfielder Lo Kwan Yee after training today (21 February). “It is an important match for Hong Kong and we really hope the supporters can get behind us and give us great backing.”

Fellow midfielder Leung Chun Pong added: “Training has been going well and communication is good between the players and the new coaching staff. We are getting used to a different style and learning new skills.

“We know this is a key match for the HKFA and we will be doing our best to put on a great performance. We hope the fans can play their part by really cheering on the team.”

Hong Kong will take on Chinese Taipei on Wednesday, 29 February (kickoff 8:00pm) at the rebuilt, 6,500-capacity Mongkok Stadium.

It will be their first outing under two-time Australian A-League Coach of the Year Merrick, who took up his new post as the Hong Kong Football Association’s Head Coach last month.

With Project Phoenix – the government-backed initiative to reform local football – getting into full swing, the HKFA is hoping for a full house and vibrant atmosphere to begin the Merrick era.

Tickets – priced $60 for adults and $20 for children and senior citizens – can be bought online through Cityline at www.cityline.com or by calling the hotline 2111 5333.

Fans wishing to buy in person can do so at Parsons Music – shop locations can be found at www.cityline.com/eng/helpdesk/outlet.jsp.

“The message from the players to the fans is, ‘Buy a ticket and cheer us on’,” added midfielder Lee Hong Lim. “We have been training hard under our new coach and now we are really looking forward to the match.”

Merrick and his assistants, Szeto Man Chun and Poon Man Tik and goalkeeping coach Fan Chun Yip, put the players through a 75-minute training session at Mongkok Stadium today.

The former Melbourne Victory coach will select a 20-man squad to go into training camp on Monday to prepare for the match.

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Coach Ernie Merrick has called three upcapped players into the Hong Kong squad ahead of the clash with Chinese Taipei at the end of this month.

TSW Pegasus goalkeeper Tsang Man Fai, aged 20, steps up to senior level after previously impressing for the U19s and U21s.

Midfielders Chan Man Fai, 23, of Kitchee and Yip Tsz Chun, 26, of Tuen Mun, have also been called up as Merrick shuffles his options. Chan has featured in the senior squad before without earning a cap while Yip is included for the first time.

The trio are part of a 25-man squad that will train at Mongkok Stadium on Tuesday morning (21 February) as preparations intensify for the Chinese Taipei match – Merrick’s first in charge.

Five players from Merrick’s original expanded squad make way – striker Godfred Karikari, who is still waiting for his eligibility to be confirmed, midfielder Leung Tsz Chun, who is injured, goalkeeper Wang Zhenpeng and midfielders Liang Zicheng and Chan Ming Kong.

“I’ve made some minor adjustments to the squad which are down to a mixture of eligibility, injury and competition for places,” explained Merrick.

“I should stress that there were some young players I brought in simply to have a look at with one eye on the future. Just because someone is not training with us this time, it does not mean they are not in our plans.”

Hong Kong will take on Chinese Taipei at Mongkok Stadium on Wednesday, 29 February (kickoff 8:00pm) in a match heralding the start of a new era under Merrick, who took up his post as the Hong Kong Football Association’s Head Coach last month.

Tickets – priced $60 for adults and $20 for children and senior citizens – can be bought online through Cityline at www.cityline.com or by calling the hotline 2111 5333.

Fans wishing to buy in person can do so at Parsons Music – shop locations can be found at www.cityline.com/eng/helpdesk/outlet.jsp.

Hong Kong squad for training session on 21 February 2012:

Goalkeepers: Tse Tak Him (Citizen), Yapp Hung Fai (South China), Tsang Man Fai (TSW Pegasus).
Defenders: Cheung Kin Fung, Ng Wai Chiu (both TSW Pegasus), Lee Chi Ho, Chan Wai Ho (both South China), Tsang Chi Hau (Hong Kong Sapling), Chak Ting Fung (Biu Chun Rangers).
Midfielders: Lee Hong Lim, Lau Nim Yat (both TSW Pegasus), Fong Pak Lun (Sham Shui Po), Lee Wai Lim, Leung Chun Pong, Bai He (all South China), Liu Songwei (Biu Chun Rangers), Huang Yang, Lam Ka Wai, Lo Kwan Yee, Chan Man Fai (all Kitchee), Yip Tsz Chun (Tuen Mun).
Strikers: Chan Siu Ki, Au Yeung Yiu Chung (both South China), Chen Liming (Wofoo Tai Po), Lau Cheuk Hin (Sham Shui Po).

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Released on behalf of the Hong Kong Football Association by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Hong Kong have been told not to rely solely on their strikers to score goals as they prepare for their first international under Ernie Merrick.

The new coach wants to see midfielders getting forward in support of the front men when the team take on Chinese Taipei at the end of this month.

“I expect more from our wingers than just going wide and crossing the ball and I expect more from our central midfielders than simply creating chances,” said Merrick after training today (14 February). “I want to see players getting into the box and having a go at goal themselves.

“We defend well, so where we are looking to improve is in our transition to attack. We need to create good movement going forward.”

Hong Kong will take on Chinese Taipei at Mongkok Stadium on Wednesday 29 February (kickoff 8:00pm) in a match heralding the start of a new era under Merrick, who took up his post as the Hong Kong Football Association’s Head Coach last month.

Today’s training session at Mongkok Stadium was Merrick’s second with the expanded 27-man squad and he was pleased with their progress.

“It was another big step forward,” he confirmed. “We were working on winning the ball and then using it well in transition. The players all worked hard again and I’m pleased with how it is going.”

Merrick, who is working closely with assistants Szeto Man Chun and Poon Man Tik and goalkeeping coach Fan Chun Yip, is expected to make some minor adjustments to the squad ahead of the third training session next Tuesday.

The coach is also responsible for the Hong Kong U22s and today he learned they will face North Korea, China, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia in Group F of the qualifiers for the AFC U22 Asian Cup 2013.

The teams will play each other once in a host country still to be determined by the AFC – Thailand is a possibility – between 23 June and 8 July with the top two qualifying for next year’s finals.

“It’s a tough group as North Korea are the tournament’s top seeds and China and Thailand are traditionally strong in this age group,” said Merrick. “We don’t know too much about Laos or Cambodia but you can never take anything for granted in international football.

“It will be quite a challenge for the players with five games in 16 days and a good experience for them in terms of being overseas for an extended time and adapting to the demands of tournament football.”

Merrick is planning to concentrate on the U22s once the seniors’ match against Chinese Taipei has been played.

“We’re hoping to organise another match for the senior team in June. In the meantime, we’ll be holding occasional training sessions with them and focusing on getting the U22s ready for their qualifiers.

“The senior squad has quite a few young players anyway so we will also be holding combined sessions with both squads.”

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Released on behalf of the Hong Kong Football Association by Two Up Front – Asia’s sports PR specialists.