New Hong Kong coach Ernie Merrick is ready to get down to business after naming 27 players in his first national training squad.

The squad will convene for two training sessions at Mongkok Stadium on 7 and 14 February and Merrick is looking forward to working with the players for the first time.

“I’ve watched plenty of matches since arriving in Hong Kong last month and this has allowed me to see the players in a competitive environment,” said the two-time Australian A-League Coach of the Year.

“I’ve selected the squad based on what I’ve seen in those matches and the next step is for me to get a closer look at these players in training.

“I should emphasise that this is an expanded training squad only, for two training sessions, to give me a chance to assess players as we build up to our international friendly against Chinese Taipei at the end of this month.

“This should not be considered ‘the squad’ for that match and there is still a chance for players not included at this stage to force their way into the reckoning.

“I’ve gone for a squad that mixes experience with youth and I’m very much looking forward to working with the players for the first time on Tuesday.”

South China provide the biggest contingent with eight players while TSW Pegasus supply six and First Division leaders Kitchee provide five.

“We are still awaiting clarification on a couple of players’ eligibility and hopefully this will be done before the first training session,” added Merrick.

Hong Kong’s friendly against Chinese Taipei – Merrick’s first match in charge – will take place at Mongkok Stadium on Wednesday 29 February, kickoff 8:00pm.

Scotland-born Merrick, 59, took up his new role as the Hong Kong Football Association’s National Head Coach last month after a hugely successful coaching career in Australia, his adopted home since 1975.

In six seasons as coach of A-League club Melbourne Victory FC he guided the team to two Premierships, two Championships and a Pre-Season Cup.

Hong Kong squad for training sessions on 7 and 14 February 2012:

Goalkeepers: Wang Zhenpeng (Kitchee), Tse Tak Him (Citizen), Yapp Hung Fai (South China).
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, Chan Ming Kong, Lau Nim Yat (all 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, Liang Zicheng, Lam Ka Wai, Lo Kwan Yee (all Kitchee), Leung Tsz Chun (Sunray Cave JC Sun Hei).
Strikers: Chan Siu Ki, Au Yeung Yiu Chung (both South China), Godfred Karikari (TSW Pegasus), 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.

National Academy Coach Kim Pan Gon believes Hong Kong’s youngsters can take plenty of positives from their performances in last weekend’s HKFA International Youth Invitation Tournament 2012.

Only a narrow loss to Indonesia prevented Hong Kong finishing top of the table in the U17s category.

“The U17 players showed good mental and physical qualities during their three matches and I was happy to see that,” said Kim. “However, there is room for improvement in their technical skills and tactical knowledge. This is something we will be working on.”

Hong Kong U17s lost 1-0 to Indonesia in their opening match but bounced back with a 5-1 victory over Singapore thanks to an early Lai Hau Hei penalty, a double from Law Hiu Chung and further goals from Yip Ching Fung and Tsang Tsz Hin.

They completed the tournament with a 3-0 victory over Macau with Wong Chun Hin, Law and Yip getting the goals. Indonesia finished with a 100 per cent record to top the table.

Hong Kong may not have won the U17s category but they did carry off the individual awards with Law named Best Player and Li Yat Chun selected as Best Goalkeeper. In addition, the team captured the Fair Play trophy.

Hong Kong’s U14s found the going tougher in their competition. After overwhelming Qingdao 17-0 in their opener they succumbed 3-0 to Singapore and 5-0 to Thailand.

“The U14s were technically sound but they were at a disadvantage against Singapore and Thailand in terms of size and fitness,” said Kim. “We will need to improve the physical aspect of their game to match the standard of the other teams.” Thailand topped the table after winning all three of their matches.

The HKFA International Youth Invitation Tournament 2012 was played from 27-29 January at Po Kong Village Road Park in Diamond Hill.

The event was sponsored by Sun Hung Kai Properties and supported by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Home Affairs Bureau’s Arts and Sports Development Fund.

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

Final results and standings from the HKFA International Youth Invitation Tournament 2012, which concluded today at Po Kong Village Road Park, Diamond Hill.

U14s competition

Hong Kong 0 Thailand 5 (Rattanan Raman 10, 57; Tawin Mahajindawong 48; Thanapat Khathipphatee 50; Narin Channarong 83).

Singapore 18 (Jordan Chan Zhi Wei 4, 49; Muhammad Syukri Mohd Bashir 13, 25, 54, 69; Muhammad Hami Syahin Said 14, 30, 61, 66, 78, 82, 89; Muhamad Danish Mohd Jefri 38; Muhamad Syahmi Muhamad Irwan 71; Muhammad Zulqarnaen Suzliman 72, 75; Muhammad Asshukrie Wahid 83) Qingdao 0.

Final standings

P    W    D    L    F    A    P
Thailand            3     3     0    0    29    0    9
Singapore         3     2     0    1     21    2    6
Hong Kong       3     1     0    2     17    8    3
Qingdao             3     0    0    2      0    57   0

U17s competition

Hong Kong 3 (Wong Chun Hin 44; Law Hiu Chung 74; Yip Ching Fung 90) Macau 0.

Singapore 1 (Illyas Lee Si Qin 37) Indonesia 3(FF Sabeq 55, 61; Evan Dimas Darmono 69).

Final standings

P    W    D    L    F    A    P
Indonesia         3     3      0     0    8    2    9
Hong Kong       3     2      0     1     8    2    6
Singapore         3     0      1     2     2    8    1
Macau                3     0      1     2     1    7    1

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

Results from the second day of the HKFA International Youth Invitation Tournament 2012, which is taking place at Po Kong Village Road Park, Diamond Hill over three days until Sunday, 29 January.

U14s competition

Hong Kong 0 Singapore 3 (Amirul Hakim Onn 8; Jordan Chan Zhi Wei 29, 83).

Qingdao 0 Thailand 22 (Rattanan Raman 4, 21, 30, 36, 88; Thanapat Wongpethpoon 13, 15, 26; Chinnatun Jugthong 33, 71; Thanakit Thongmee 39, 67; Nutwarrit Yodnuan 40; Panuwit Sriwichai 42, 81; Ariyapol Chanson 51; Teerapak Punboonchu 55, 68, 84; Apisit Meepan 61; Yu Jian (OG) 62; Narin Channarong 70).

Standings

U17s competition

Hong Kong 5 (Lai Hau Hei (pen) 14; Law Hiu Chung 36, 45; Yip Ching Fung 57, Tsang Tsz Hin 88) Singapore 1 (Muhammad Hazim Faiz Hassan 19).

Indonesia 4 (Samsul Pellu 34, Indra Kelana Nasution 39, Muhammad Hargianto 60, I Wayan Eka Nanda Wardana 70) Macau 1 (Kam Chi Hou 3).

Standings

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

Results from the first day of the HKFA International Youth Invitation Tournament 2012, which is taking place at Po Kong Village Road Park, Diamond Hill from 27-29 January.

U14s competition

Hong Kong 17 (Matthew Ho Shing Yuen 7, 51, 57; Hirokane Harima 9, 23, 46, 53; Ngan Cheuk Pan 13; Cheng Chin Lung 15, 86; Perry Ko Shing Yan 20; Yue Tze Nam 31, 55; Yu Wai Lim 60; Lee Kai Chi 67, 84; Ho Chik Hin 71) Qingdao 0.

Thailand 2 (Anan Surattanasin 19; Thanapat Khathipphatee 74) Singapore 0.

U17s competition

Hong Kong 0 Indonesia 1 (Indra Kelana Nasution 36)

Macau 0 Singapore 0.

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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 newly appointed National Academy Coach, Kim Pan Gon, is excited about seeing some of his young players in action for the first time next week.

Kim’s first competition since taking up his post will see him supervise Hong Kong’s U14s and U17s in the HKFA International Youth Invitation Tournament 2012.

“This tournament is a vital part of the pathway we are building for young players to progress through the ranks to senior football and is a chance for us to assess our U14s and U17s players in a competitive environment,” he said.

“It will be an important learning experience for these youngsters and give them an indication of the standards required – on and off the pitch – to play international football.

“There promises to be some excellent football over the three days and we hope fans will come along and show their support for the next generation of Hong Kong players.”

Korean Kim is a familiar figure to Hong Kong fans after playing in the territory from 2000-04 and later managing South China and then the national squad.

In his new role with the Hong Kong Football Association, he is responsible for the identification, development and coaching of all players aged 18 and below.

“There has never been any shortage of talented young players in Hong Kong but they need to be given the right environment, training and facilities to maximise their potential,” he added. “It cannot be done overnight but myself and my staff are totally committed to improving player development.

“These are exciting times for Hong Kong football with major changes to the management and coaching structure and I’m excited about being so closely involved.”

The HKFA International Youth Invitation Tournament 2012, to be played from 27-29 January at Po Kong Village Road Park in Diamond Hill, will see some of the territory’s top teenage players take on their regional rivals.

The U17s competition will feature Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia and Macau while the U14s event will be contested by Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Qingdao.

“We are pleased to be able to attract a number of sponsors to help us stage this event including Sun Hung Kai Properties, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Home Affairs Bureau’s Arts and Sports Development Fund, and it is welcome news as we embark upon an exciting new era for the sport here,” said HKFA Chief Executive Officer Gordon McKie.

“Corporate sponsorship is an essential component of football and offers companies a chance to raise their profile, associate their brand with successful events and create a platform for networking and client entertainment.

“We are delighted to welcome Sun Hung Kai Properties into the HKFA family of sponsors and we look forward to working closely with them to make this tournament a successful and memorable one for all involved.”

The teams in each age group will play each other on a league basis.

U17s match schedule

27 Jan: Indonesia v Hong Kong (14:00, Pitch 1), Singapore v Macau (14:00, Pitch 2).
28 Jan: Singapore v Hong Kong (14:00, Pitch 1), Indonesia v Macau (14:00, Pitch 2).
29 Jan: Hong Kong v Macau (14:00, Pitch 1), Singapore v Indonesia (14:00, Pitch 2).

U14s match schedule

27 Jan: Qingdao v Hong Kong (10:00, Pitch 1), Singapore v Thailand (10:00, Pitch 2).
28 Jan: Singapore v Hong Kong (10:00, Pitch 1), Qingdao v Thailand (10:00, Pitch 2).
29 Jan: Hong Kong v Thailand (10:00, Pitch 1), Singapore v Qingdao (10:00, Pitch 2).

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

Ernie Merrick is relishing the opportunity to play a key role in what promises to be an exciting new era for Hong Kong football.

The Hong Kong Football Association’s new National Head Coach is targeting significant improvement in all the territory’s representative teams from the senior squad down through the age groups.

“I’ve watched six or seven First Division matches so far and I’ve seen players with good technical skills, plenty of enthusiasm and sound decision-making,” said the two-time Australian A-League Coach of the Year.

“The aim is to improve individual standards in physical, technical and strategic aspects of the game while getting them to gel as a team by playing more regularly at international level.

“We are starting off from a sound base and with the extra resources available through the Phoenix Project I’m confident we can make advances in physical preparation, sports science and technical development and start producing more rounded footballers.”

Merrick’s first match in charge will be a friendly international against Chinese Taipei at Mongkok Stadium on Wednesday, 29 February, the HKFA has announced.

“It has been well publicised that Hong Kong have fallen to 169th in the FIFA world rankings, which everyone accepts is not good enough for a territory with such a proud footballing history,” added Merrick.

“Chinese Taipei are two places above us in the rankings and this is a good opportunity for our players to put down a marker with regard to improving Hong Kong’s international standing.

“It promises to be an exciting evening at Mongkok Stadium and we’re hoping Hong Kong’s famously passionate fans will turn out in significant numbers to support us on the first step of our journey.”

Ticketing details for the match will be announced soon, the HKFA confirmed.

Scotland-born Merrick, 59, was appointed by the HKFA last month after a hugely successful coaching career in Australia, his adopted home since 1975.

In six seasons as coach of A-League club Melbourne Victory FC he guided the team to two Premierships, two Championships and a Pre-Season Cup.

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