https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/318227/feed The AFC Cup is a football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for clubs from "developing countries" in Asia  – such as Hong Kong – deemed not strong enough for the AFC Champions League. Teams from the AFC’s West Asia division (largely the Middle East) have dominated the competition since its inception in 2004. Hong Kong’s best ever performance was Sun Hei reaching the semi-finals in 2005. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Kitchee survived playing the final 25 minutes with 10 men, after a debatable red card for captain Ruslan Mingazov, to draw 0-0 with Gangwon FC on Thursday night in their opening AFC Champions League 2 match. Although a point against the strongest team in the group represented a sound return, it could have been even better for the Hong Kong club on their return to Asian competition after three years away. Mingazov and Victor Camarasa, the former Cardiff City midfielder, were both inches wide with... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3367910/afc-champions-league-2-hong-kong-champions-kitchee-survive-red-card-make-point?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3367910/afc-champions-league-2-hong-kong-champions-kitchee-survive-red-card-make-point?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:36:50 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Although he cheesed off some of his England players when he accused them of being “sloppy” and committing “lots of technical mistakes” following their World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway this summer, Thomas Tuchel’s angst perhaps stemmed from the knowledge that a much tougher test was around the corner. So it would prove, the head coach’s team punch-drunk by the end of their semi-final capitulation against Argentina. For Tuchel two months ago, and indeed Alex Ferguson after the 1983... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3367761/hong-kong-premier-league-kitchee-face-afc-champions-league-test-against-koreans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3367761/hong-kong-premier-league-kitchee-face-afc-champions-league-test-against-koreans?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:18 +0000 Qatar were in full celebration mode to kick off 2024 with the successful defence of their Asian Cup title while Saudi Arabia ended the year on a high after being named hosts of the 2034 World Cup. In between, Japan and Iran reasserted their status as regional heavyweights in 2026 World Cup qualifying but it has not been smooth sailing for some of the other top sides with South Korea and Australia failing to impress. At the continental championships in Qatar, the hosts secured consecutive... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3292782/qatars-continental-defence-saudis-named-world-cup-hosts-big-2024-asian-football?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3292782/qatars-continental-defence-saudis-named-world-cup-hosts-big-2024-asian-football?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Dec 2024 14:00:09 +0000 Hong Kong international Wu Chun-ming apologised to fans after they bowed out of the 2022 AFC Cup following a 1-0 defeat by PFC Sogdiana in Uzbekistan on Tuesday night. A late header by Shakhruz Norkhonov sank the visitors with five minutes remaining, and sent the home side into the inter-zone final, where they will face either ATK Mohun Bagan or Kuala Lumpur City. Wu had the opportunity to put his side ahead just before half-time, but his shot from inside the box was easily saved by Sogdiana... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3191631/afc-cup-hong-kong-international-wu-apologises-after-blowing-chance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3191631/afc-cup-hong-kong-international-wu-apologises-after-blowing-chance?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Sep 2022 05:41:55 +0000 Shakhruz Norkhonov’s late header took PFC Sogdiana into the Inter-Zone Final of the AFC Cup on Tuesday as the side from Uzbekistan handed Hong Kong’s Eastern Long Lions a 1-0 defeat at the Sogdiana Sporting Complex in Jizzakh. Sogdiana will play either ATK Mohun Bagan or Kuala Lumpur City on October 5 after seeing off Roberto Losada’s dogged side, who were finally unpicked five minutes from time by a telling cross from former Uzbekistan international Vitali Denisov. Ulugbek Bakaev’s outfit... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3191587/afc-cup-late-shakhruz-norkhonov-header-downs-eastern-long-lions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3191587/afc-cup-late-shakhruz-norkhonov-header-downs-eastern-long-lions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Sep 2022 15:26:52 +0000 Eastern Long Lions defender Tamirlan Kozubaev said it was the prospect of a new challenge with an ambitious club that persuaded him to swap Central Asia for East Asia, ahead of the Hong Kong club’s AFC Cup campaign. The much-travelled centre-back, who was most recently in Kazakhstan but has also played his club football in Russia, Serbia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Indonesia and Kyrgystan, helped Eastern win both of their group stage games in June to advance to the competition’s knockout rounds for... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3191375/afc-cup-call-east-lured-defender-kozubaev-hong-kong-clubs-cause?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3191375/afc-cup-call-east-lured-defender-kozubaev-hong-kong-clubs-cause?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Sep 2022 09:30:08 +0000 South Korea officially submitted its bid to host the 2023 Asian Cup following China’s withdrawal due to the coronavirus, the Korean Football Association (KFA) said Thursday. China was due to host the games in June and July next year, but pulled out of staging the tournament last month due to challenges over its strict zero-Covid strategy. The Asian Football Confederation then invited new bids to host the quadrennial tournament, saying interested countries must submit by June 30. Top regional... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3183750/south-korea-submits-bid-host-2023-asian-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3183750/south-korea-submits-bid-host-2023-asian-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Jul 2022 03:00:24 +0000 Eastern Long Lions reached the AFC Cup knockout stage for the first time, after a 3-1 victory over Tainan City at Buriram Stadium in Thailand on Thursday night. Having failed in two previous attempts to progress, the Hong Kong side topped the three-team Group J with two wins, after seeing off fellow Hong Kong club Lee Man 3-1 in their opening match. They will now feature in the inter-zone play-off semi-finals in September, with Indian side ATK Mohun Bagan being confirmed as the South Asia zone... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3183720/eastern-long-lions-banish-dark-days-reach-afc-cup-knockout-stage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3183720/eastern-long-lions-banish-dark-days-reach-afc-cup-knockout-stage?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Jun 2022 13:50:24 +0000 High-flying Eastern Long Lions look likely to reach the AFC Cup knockout stage for the first time as they take on Tainan City of Taiwan in the last group match on Thursday. The result at Buriram Stadium in Thailand will decide which of the three teams in the group goes through, with Eastern in the driving seat after beating fellow Hong Kong side Lee Man 3-1 in the opening game last week. Tainan City, who lost their first game to Lee Man 3-1 on Monday, must beat Eastern by a bigger margin if they... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3183493/afc-cup-hong-kong-side-eastern-need-just-draw-against-tainan-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3183493/afc-cup-hong-kong-side-eastern-need-just-draw-against-tainan-city?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Jun 2022 09:30:32 +0000 Tainan City FC head coach Kenneth Kwok has vowed to apply the lessons from his side’s AFC Cup loss at the hands of Lee Man in Buriram, as the club look to keep their hopes of a place in the next phase of the competition alive. Monday’s 3-1 defeat means the Taiwanese side must win against Eastern Long Lions in their final match in Group J on Thursday to have any chance of advancing to the knockout stage, as the battle for the solitary qualifying spot approaches its climax. “I’m proud of them,”... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3183393/afc-cup-tainan-city-face-must-win-game-against-eastern-long-lions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3183393/afc-cup-tainan-city-face-must-win-game-against-eastern-long-lions?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Jun 2022 01:00:23 +0000 Junior Dutra signed off with a goal in his last game for Lee Man, as the Hong Kong side kept their slim hopes of qualifying for the next round of the AFC Cup alive with a 3-1 win over Tainan City on Monday. Second half goals from Yung Hui-to and the Brazilian in Buriram gave Chan Hiu-ming’s side a two-goal lead, before Marc-Mechez Fenelus’ penalty set up the prospect of a tense finish to the Group J clash, only for Chang Hei-yin to settle the game 12 minutes from time. Victory moves Lee Man... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3183270/afc-cup-departing-junior-dutra-signs-goal-lee-man-keep-slim?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3183270/afc-cup-departing-junior-dutra-signs-goal-lee-man-keep-slim?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Jun 2022 13:41:01 +0000 Lee Man must put behind them a disappointing performance against Eastern as they need to beat Tainan City of Taiwan to keep their slim hopes alive in the 2022 AFC Cup in Buriram, Thailand on Monday. After losing Friday’s opening game to Eastern 3-1 in an all-Hong Kong affair, they cannot afford to lose points again in the three-team competition. A victory over Tainan City would extend their hopes until the last game of the group on Thursday when Eastern meet the Taiwan Premier League side. If... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3183132/lee-man-must-win-game-against-tainan-city-keep-slim-afc-cup-hopes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3183132/lee-man-must-win-game-against-tainan-city-keep-slim-afc-cup-hopes?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Jun 2022 12:15:12 +0000 Eastern Long Lions got off to a flying start in the AFC Cup group stage, thanks largely to their disciplined defence and the contribution of youngster Ma Hei-wai as they came from behind to beat Lee Man 3-1 in Buriram, Thailand on Friday. Despite losing almost half of their squad from the beginning of last season amid a huge upheaval, Roberto Losada’s side secured a convincing result that could go a long way to sending them into the next round. With only three teams in contention, Eastern need... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3183025/eastern-flying-start-afc-cup-3-1-win-over-lee-man-all-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3183025/eastern-flying-start-afc-cup-3-1-win-over-lee-man-all-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jun 2022 13:52:23 +0000 Lee Man and Eastern Long Lions will battle out in an all-Hong Kong affair as they look to secure a spot in the next round of the 2022 AFC Cup. The winners of the group J match in Buriram, Thailand on Friday are favoured to top a group which also features Tainan City of Taiwan – widely considered the weakest among the trio after the withdrawal of Macanese side MUST CPK. The three sides met at the same stage of the regional tournament last year when Lee Man came through after winning all of their... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3182819/eastern-and-lee-man-kick-afc-cup-group-stage-all-hong-kong-affair?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3182819/eastern-and-lee-man-kick-afc-cup-group-stage-all-hong-kong-affair?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jun 2022 11:45:14 +0000 Lee Man defender Tsui Wang-kit is in a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of his side’s AFC Cup group stage matches in Thailand, after catching Covid-19 while on international duty with Hong Kong The left back is a regular choice for the national team, but missed all Asian Cup qualifiers in India after contracting the virus. But Lee Man coach Chan Hiu-ming said his charge had rejoined the club in Buriram after leaving Kolkata and had fully recovered from the infection. Hong Kong not... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3182091/hong-kong-defender-tsui-wang-kit-recovers-covid-19-rejoins-lee-man?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3182091/hong-kong-defender-tsui-wang-kit-recovers-covid-19-rejoins-lee-man?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jun 2022 10:00:16 +0000 Hong Kong sides Lee Man and Eastern Long Lions will face one less game in Group J of the AFC Cup next month, after Covid-19 restrictions in Macau forced MUST CPK to withdraw. The Asian Football Confederation confirmed the team’s decision in a statement posted on the governing body’s website on Friday. There will be no replacement, leaving the two Hong Kong sides and Taiwan’s Tainan City to battle it out for a spot in the Inter-Zone semi-finals. “The AFC notes the challenges faced by MUST CPK as... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3178531/covid-19-travel-restrictions-force-macau-side-must-cpk-out-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3178531/covid-19-travel-restrictions-force-macau-side-must-cpk-out-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 May 2022 09:29:12 +0000 Hong Kong head coach Jorn Andersen has complained that some players don’t want to play for the city’s national side as he prepares for his first match in charge and next month’s Asian Cup qualifiers. Faced with the “headache” of Hong Kong football’s notorious lack of firepower, Andersen is encountering difficulties in defence, too, ahead of a friendly against Malaysia this month and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign in India. “When some players don’t want to play for the national team... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3177776/players-dont-want-play-hong-kong-new-boss-jorn-andersen-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3177776/players-dont-want-play-hong-kong-new-boss-jorn-andersen-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 May 2022 00:30:18 +0000 Hong Kong coach Jorn Andersen was pleasantly surprised by Kitchee’s win in the AFC Champions League against Chiangrai United in Thailand on Saturday. The Norwegian is casting a watchful eye in Buriram as he mulls his selection for Hong Kong’s Asian Cup qualifiers in Kolkata, India in June. Hong Kong face Afghanistan, Cambodia and India in the span of a week to compete for a spot at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, to be held in China next summer. The first two qualifying rounds are also 2022 Fifa World... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3174614/hong-kong-football-head-coach-jorn-andersen-hails-very-important?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3174614/hong-kong-football-head-coach-jorn-andersen-hails-very-important?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Apr 2022 03:06:09 +0000 Asian football bosses will not let Hong Kong Premier League club Lee Man switch their AFC Cup playoff game next month against Mongolia’s Athletic 220 to a neutral venue in June. The two sides had been expected to play in Hong Kong on April 19, with the winners progressing to the group stages of the competition. But with the government shutting down all sport in the city since January, Lee Man had asked for the fixture to be moved to Taiwan. However, the Asian Football Confederation said the game... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3170798/asian-football-bosses-order-hong-kong-side-lee-man-play-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3170798/asian-football-bosses-order-hong-kong-side-lee-man-play-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Mar 2022 08:30:12 +0000 Premier League side Lee Man have become the second Hong Kong club to announce they are leaving the city to train overseas to boost their AFC Cup campaign. Manager Chan Hiu-ming said they would head to Thailand, just like champions Kitchee, with sports venues in Hong Kong closed by the government since January because of the latest coronavirus outbreak. But before they go ahead with the plan, Lee Man, who enjoyed great success in their maiden AFC Cup run last year, must get approval from the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3168774/coronavirus-hong-kong-side-lee-man-follow-kitchees-lead-head?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3168774/coronavirus-hong-kong-side-lee-man-follow-kitchees-lead-head?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Mar 2022 06:15:18 +0000 China women are one win away from qualifying for the 2023 Fifa World Cup, and are also chasing their first AFC Asian Cup gold in 16 years. Coach Shui Qingxia’s side have been in good form, overpowering Taiwan and Iran 4-0 and 7-0 respectively in the group stage of the competition, before receiving a default win after India pulled out earlier this week. But the Steel Roses face dangerous opposition in the quarter-finals. Vietnam, who despite not winning a single group game, will be hugely... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3165081/womens-asian-cup-china-verge-2023-world-cup-qualification-vietnam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3165081/womens-asian-cup-china-verge-2023-world-cup-qualification-vietnam?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Jan 2022 06:04:38 +0000 Taiwan booked their place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup quarter-finals after a convincing 5-0 win over Iran. Taiwan midfielder Lai Li-Chin was the star performer for her side, booting three goals to help seal their second place in Group A behind China and advance to the knockout stage. Both teams lost to China, and went into the match fully aware of what was at stake, with Taiwan only needing a draw to pip Iran to a quarter-final berth. Iran, appearing in their inaugural AFC Women’s Asian Cup,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3164889/womens-asian-cup-2022-taiwan-cruise-5-0-victory-over-iran-secure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3164889/womens-asian-cup-2022-taiwan-cruise-5-0-victory-over-iran-secure?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Jan 2022 04:38:37 +0000 Australia women’s captain Sam Kerr was mobbed by excited Indonesian players despite them suffering an 18-0 demolition in their AFC Asian Cup group opener in Mumbai. The Matildas forward scored a whopping five goals against Garuda Pertiwi, bringing her national goalscoring tally to 54, surpassing former men’s international Tim Cahill’s record of 50. It did not take long for the Indonesian contingent to huddle around the Chelsea FC star and Balon d’Or nominee for selfies and autographs after... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3164378/afc-womens-asian-cup-australia-record-breaking-goalscorer-sam-kerr?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3164378/afc-womens-asian-cup-australia-record-breaking-goalscorer-sam-kerr?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Jan 2022 12:15:16 +0000 China’s national women’s football team has named a 23-player squad ahead of next week’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup opener against Taiwan. The new-look squad, a mix of experienced and fresh talent, follows a month-long training camp in Shanghai, where 34 of the country’s top female footballers were vying for a place in the team. Newly appointed head coach Shui Qingxia has seemingly stuck to her guns in reshaping the squad, with several key members of the Tokyo Olympics team omitted from December’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3162952/china-names-revamped-23-player-squad-ahead-afc-womens-asian-cup-opener?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3162952/china-names-revamped-23-player-squad-ahead-afc-womens-asian-cup-opener?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jan 2022 10:15:13 +0000 Lee Man players can hold their heads up high despite losing 3-2 after extra time to hosts Nasaf of Uzbekistan in the AFC Cup semi-final on Wednesday night. The club was aiming to become the first from Hong Kong to reach the regional competition final. Established only four years ago, the ambitious Lee Man hoped to overhaul traditional heavyweights South China and Kitchee to reach the AFC Cup final at the first time of asking. Those two Hong Kong heavyweights reached the same stage in 2009 and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3153114/hong-kongs-lee-man-defeated-afc-cup-semi-final-heartbreaker-not?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3153114/hong-kongs-lee-man-defeated-afc-cup-semi-final-heartbreaker-not?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Oct 2021 04:42:53 +0000 Lee Man will aim to become the first Hong Kong side to reach the AFC Cup final next week, but they must overcome a series of obstacles brought about by air travel restrictions and quarantine control measures to do so. The Hong Kong Premier League club is due to take on hosts Nasaf of Uzbekistan in the AFC Cup’s inter-zone play-off final next Wednesday (October 20), provided they can leave Hong Kong on Thursday midnight as scheduled. The winners will then meet a Middle Eastern team in the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3152086/lee-man-aim-become-first-hong-kong-side-reach-afc-cup-final-amid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3152086/lee-man-aim-become-first-hong-kong-side-reach-afc-cup-final-amid?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Oct 2021 09:58:26 +0000 ELEVEN is the latest broadcaster to enter the Hong Kong market after it was announced that the company will show Asian Football Confederation matches in the city. Hong Kong and Thailand will see the remaining AFC qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup, the group and Asian football’s governing body announced. This is part of a wider expansion from London-based ELEVEN into Southeast Asia that includes Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and the Philippines in 2022. The company... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3151606/qatar-2022-eleven-show-asian-qualifiers-hong-kong-part-afc-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3151606/qatar-2022-eleven-show-asian-qualifiers-hong-kong-part-afc-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Oct 2021 04:54:44 +0000 Hong Kong Premier League side Lee Man made history with a second win in their second game in the AFC Cup and progress to the play-off round to ensure a dream start to life in the competition. The new boys to continental competition go through as group winners after following up an opening game win over domestic rivals Eastern with a hammering of Taiwanese side Tainan City at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. Chan Hiu-ming’s team were fastest out of the blocks in their evening kick-off, racing to a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3138902/afc-cup-lee-man-through-next-round-after-perfect-result-against?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3138902/afc-cup-lee-man-through-next-round-after-perfect-result-against?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Jun 2021 03:52:56 +0000 Eastern Long Lions moved a step closer to the domestic treble this season after lifting the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over R&F in a final played behind closed doors at Hong Kong Stadium on Monday. Goals by Clayton Afonso, a header following a Wong Wai corner kick, and Everton Camargo’s half-volley, both in the second half, was the difference as Eastern collected their first major silverware in four seasons. They are also chasing the league championship and the Senior Shield in what remains of this... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3103350/eastern-long-lions-beat-rf-win-hong-kong-fa-cup-and-claim-place-afc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3103350/eastern-long-lions-beat-rf-win-hong-kong-fa-cup-and-claim-place-afc?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Sep 2020 09:08:58 +0000 Kitchee failed to recover from a first leg deficit as they managed a 1-1 draw against visiting Al Kuwait in the AFC Cup quarter-finals at Mong Kok Stadium last night, losing 7-1 on aggregate. After losing 6-0 in Kuwait City last month, the home side needed to at least equal that score to stand any chance of progressing. Paulo Carreiro, who is likely to become the latest naturalised player for Hong Kong, gave the hosts some early delight with a goal on nine minutes. But Kitchee still needed six... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1858902/impossible-task-kitchee-draw-1-1-al-kuwait-lose-7-1-aggregate-afc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1858902/impossible-task-kitchee-draw-1-1-al-kuwait-lose-7-1-aggregate-afc?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2015 15:34:37 +0000 South China failed to make the most of home and numerical advantage, crashing out of the AFC Cup to 10-man Johor Darul Ta’zim, of Malaysia, at Mong Kok Stadium last night. JDT scored a resounding 3-1 victory after playing for 54 minutes without their Argentinian striker Luciano Figueroa, who was sent off for elbowing Cheung Chi-yung. The Malaysians won 4-2 on aggregate after the first leg in Johor Bahru finished 1-1. Two defensive blunders in the first half cost South China dearly.   It was a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1858544/south-china-out-afc-cup-home-side-lose-3-1-johor-darul-tazim?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1858544/south-china-out-afc-cup-home-side-lose-3-1-johor-darul-tazim?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2015 15:00:30 +0000 South China coach Casemiro Mior called on fans to provide the "extra man" as the domestic heavyweights take on Johor Darul Tazim in a do-or-die AFC Cup quarter-final tie at Mong Kok Stadium tonight. Having drawn the away leg 1-1 last month, the Caroliners stand a good chance of making it to the last four, the first time since 2009. But the Brazilian coach said they would need to be at their best against the newly crowned Malaysia Super League champions. "We need support to help us get past the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1858204/support-us-hilt-south-china-coach-casemiro-mior-tells-fans-ahead-afc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1858204/support-us-hilt-south-china-coach-casemiro-mior-tells-fans-ahead-afc?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Sep 2015 16:36:58 +0000 Hong Kong champions Kitchee have all but kissed their contintinental hopes goodbye after a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Kuwait SC in the first leg of their AFC Cup quarter-final clash in Kuwait City. One day after rivals South China drew 1-1 away to Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim, Kitchee failed to make any impact away from home against the three-time Kuwaiti champions. Rogerinho scored twice while Fahad Al Enezi, Chadi Hammami, Vinicius Lopes and Ali Al Kandari were also on target as the home... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1853157/kitchee-hit-six-afc-cup-hong-kong-champions-thrashed-kuwait-sc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1853157/kitchee-hit-six-afc-cup-hong-kong-champions-thrashed-kuwait-sc?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Aug 2015 10:30:00 +0000 South China took the upper hand in their AFC Cup quarter-final against Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim after earning a 1-1 draw in the first leg on Tuesday night in Johor Bahru. The Hong Kong side overcame a passionate crowd of 14,700 and a determined host side - who are now unbeaten at home in 17 matches - and will be looking to secure their passage into the semi-finals when the two sides meet again on September 15 at Mong Kok Stadium. Awal Mahama was South China’s hero, scoring the equaliser 17... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1852490/south-china-battle-back-draw-1-1-johor-darul-tazim-afc-cup-quarter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1852490/south-china-battle-back-draw-1-1-johor-darul-tazim-afc-cup-quarter?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Aug 2015 15:30:45 +0000 Johor Darul Ta’zim fans snapped up tickets for their teams’ AFC Cup quarter-final, first leg against Hong Kong’s South China on Tuesday. A long queue formed outside Larkin Stadium in Malaysia’s second-largest city at 9am on Tuesday as the ticket counters opened. 5 things South China fans should know about Johor and its people Johor Darul Ta'zim vs South China, AFC Cup quarter-final, first leg preview “We need to get tickets early,” said 20-year-old Johor supporter Shaffik Mohd Yusof, who bought... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1852341/we-will-beat-south-china-johor-darul-tazim-fans-snap-tickets-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1852341/we-will-beat-south-china-johor-darul-tazim-fans-snap-tickets-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Aug 2015 03:15:00 +0000 The Johor Darul Ta’zim are the latest version of a state team who have been part of the Malaysian football set-up for decades but who have only recently started to thrive. The team are based in Johor Bahru, Malaysia’s second-largest city and often the playground of Singaporeans who need only to cross the Causeway to find cheaper petrol, groceries and entertainment. Johor Darul Ta'zim vs South China, AFC Cup quarter-final, first leg preview JDT have some of the most die-hard football supporters... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1852318/5-things-south-china-fans-should-know-about-johor-and-its-people?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1852318/5-things-south-china-fans-should-know-about-johor-and-its-people?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Aug 2015 23:30:15 +0000 "Is he scared of South China?" quipped Serbian defender Bojan Malisic after Johor Darul Ta'zim officials apologised for ill coach Mario Gomez's absence from Monday's pre-match press conference for their AFC Cup quarter-final first-leg clash. As it turns out, the former Caroliners' coach has little to fear, given his side's utter dominance of opposing teams at their Larkin Stadium, Johor Bahur, in southern Malaysia - and a number of other factors that weigh in his side's favour. "We have a lot of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1852250/south-china-face-tough-battle-afc-cup-quarter-final-clash-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1852250/south-china-face-tough-battle-afc-cup-quarter-final-clash-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Aug 2015 16:15:15 +0000 South China coach Casemiro Mior is expecting to play mind games with his predecessor Mario Gomez when the Caroliners face Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim in the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup in August. Brazilian Mior replaced Gomez as South China coach less than two months ago when the Argentine left Hong Kong to take the helm at the ambitious southern Malaysian club. Hong Kong champions Kitchee, meanwhile, were given an even harder assignment at yesterday's draw in Kuala Lumpur. They were pitted... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/soccer/article/1823570/south-china-coach-casemiro-mior-face-his-predecessor-afc-cup-quarter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/soccer/article/1823570/south-china-coach-casemiro-mior-face-his-predecessor-afc-cup-quarter?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Jun 2015 15:15:00 +0000 A new draw format in the AFC Cup quarter-finals has boosted hopes of either South China or Kitchee becoming the first Hong Kong team to reach the regional competition final. For the first time, there are two teams from Hong Kong in the last eight stage, and when the draw is made in Kuala Lumpur on June 18, they will only meet East Asian sides, until one of the four has reached the final. The format is the same for the four other quarter-finalists from the west, guaranteeing a final showdown... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1817453/new-ruling-boosts-hong-kongs-chances-having-team-afc-cup-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1817453/new-ruling-boosts-hong-kongs-chances-having-team-afc-cup-final?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jun 2015 13:40:30 +0000 Kitchee joined South China in qualifying for the AFC Cup quarter-finals after a 2-0 win over Persib Bandung in Indonesia on Wednesday. Two goals in the first half through marksman Juan Belencoso and midfield powerhouse Lam Ka-wai settled the round-of-16, one-off match at Jalak Harupat Soreang Stadium. I am very happy to walk away with such an important win in my last match with Kitchee Outgoing Kitchee coach Jose Molina Belencoso, who recently extended his contract with Kitchee for another two... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1810729/kitchee-join-south-china-afc-cup-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1810729/kitchee-join-south-china-afc-cup-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 May 2015 13:53:12 +0000 It's that man again - striker Daniel McBreen hogged the headlines as South China reached the AFC Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Bengaluru of India at Mong Kok Stadium on Tuesday night. The big Australian continued his current rich vein of goalscoring with two more to his name and tops the Cup goalscoring table with eight goals, along with Riste Naumou of Myanmar side Ayeyawady United. The mentality of the players was tremendous. The team played very well despite the bad conditions of the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1810022/daniel-mcbreen-steers-south-china-quarter-finals-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1810022/daniel-mcbreen-steers-south-china-quarter-finals-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2015 16:44:33 +0000 South China are hoping their speedy winger Mahama Awal can recover in time as they face the biggest test in their 2015 AFC Cup campaign when they take on visitors Bengaluru of India at Mong Kok Stadium on Tuesday ngiht. The Caroliners achieved a 100 per cent record in winning all their six group matches in the regional cup tie, the only team across all eight groups to do that, and finished top of their group, earning them the home ground advantage for the round-of-16 tie. I know it is very... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1808839/south-china-hope-mahama-awal-will-be-fit-afc-cup-test?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1808839/south-china-hope-mahama-awal-will-be-fit-afc-cup-test?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2015 13:51:09 +0000 South China sealed their top spot in group G of the AFC Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over Yadanarbon in Mandalay, Myanmar, last night. Striker Daniel McBreen got a brace and Lam Hok-hei grabbed his first goal since joining the Caroliners from Rangers in January. In the eight groups across Asia, South China were the only team to win all six matches. The Caroliners will now meet Indian club Bengaluru (Bangalore) in a round-of-16 knockout match at Mong Kok Stadium on May 26. Kitchee, meanwhile,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1796049/another-stroll-afc-cup-south-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1796049/another-stroll-afc-cup-south-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2015 16:45:00 +0000 Two defensive blunders cost Kitchee victory as East Bengal snatched a 2-2 draw in an AFC Cup group game at Mong Kok Stadium on Tuesday night. Kitchee were looking comfortable leading 2-0 until a lapse in concentration in the last 10 minutes allowed the Indians to draw their group F tie. Kitchee still finished second in the group with 11 points to qualify for the knockout stage. Johor Darul Ta'zim, of Malaysia, beat Singapore's Balestier Khalsa 3-0 in another match to ensure top spot with 15... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1794738/kitchees-defensive-errors-allow-indias-east-bengal-fight-back-2-2?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1794738/kitchees-defensive-errors-allow-indias-east-bengal-fight-back-2-2?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2015 17:00:30 +0000 Kitchee's faint hopes of topping their AFC Cup group hang in the balance as they take on East Bengal of India at Mong Kok Stadium on Tuesday night. The Hong Kong champions need to win and hope Johor Darul Ta'zim of Malaysia slip up in their game to win group F and gain home advantage in the single-leg round of 16. Kitchee and Johor have already qualified, but the Malaysians have a two-point lead. They take on Balestier Khalsa of Singapore, the bottom team of the group, at home. We know the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1793786/kitchee-make-or-break-mission-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1793786/kitchee-make-or-break-mission-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2015 14:40:49 +0000 Stands were partitioned to make room for a separate enclosure for Filipino fans but a low-key encounter ending in a tame 3-0 victory for South China over Global FC of the Philippines in the AFC Cup hardly ignited passions at Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday night. The last time a team from the Philippines visited Hong Kong - a friendly between the two national teams in June 2013 - it ended with the Hong Kong Football Association forced to pay a fine of more than HK$250,000 to Fifa, whichposed a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1781319/not-much-spark-south-chinas-3-0-win-over-global-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1781319/not-much-spark-south-chinas-3-0-win-over-global-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:00:15 +0000 Even after a thunderstorm delayed the start of the AFC Cup group encounter between Kitchee and Balestier Khalsa in Singapore on Tuesday night, marksman Juan Belencoso maintained the thunder with a brace in the Hong Kong side's 2-1 win. Belencoso was in imperious form, smacking in goals in each half to book Kitchee a place in the last 16 of the regional soccer competition. He tapped in a cross from Christian Annan in the 14th minute and then slid in with his right foot in the 61st minute to meet... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1779751/juan-belencoso-stars-kitchees-2-1-win-over-balestier-khalsa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1779751/juan-belencoso-stars-kitchees-2-1-win-over-balestier-khalsa?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:45:45 +0000 Kitchee captain Fernando Recio is hopeful his team can put the icing on a memorable April by clinching a berth in the last 16 of the AFC Cup by defeating Singapore's Balestier Khalsa FC at Jalan Besar Stadium tonight. Kitchee are on the verge of being crowned the inaugural champions of the Premier League. They won the League Cup last Thursday with a smashing 4-0 win over arch-rivals South China and have booked a place in the FA Cup final, albeit with a penalty shoot-out win over YFMCD on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1778145/kitchee-out-end-amazing-april-victory-over-singapores-khalsa-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1778145/kitchee-out-end-amazing-april-victory-over-singapores-khalsa-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2015 14:53:13 +0000 A two-goal blast early in the second half sent South China into the knockout round of the AFC Cup as they brushed aside Pahang of Malaysia 3-1 at Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday night. The victory secured not only the top spot in group G for the Caroliners with a maximum 12 points from four matches, but also a home-ground advantage for the next round. South China's remaining two matches are virtually dead rubbers for the Caroliners. WATCH: highlights of South China's win at Mong Kok Stadium We... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1767303/south-china-stroll-knockout-stage-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1767303/south-china-stroll-knockout-stage-afc-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2015 16:45:45 +0000 Star winger Mahama Awal, recovering from a knee injury, is unlikely to be thrown back into the fray for South China against visitors Pahang of Malaysia in a top-of-the-table AFC Cup clash at Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday night. The Cameroonian footballer, who has become a crowd favourite with his power and speed since arriving in January, damaged his right knee ligament when the two sides met in a group G match in Malaysia last month. I am about 80 per cent fit and it's up to the boss to make... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1766549/south-china-missing-stars-afc-cup-group-match-against-pahang?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/1766549/south-china-missing-stars-afc-cup-group-match-against-pahang?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2015 16:45:00 +0000