Hong Kong football star Chan reveals ‘weird and empty’ feeling after struggles with form
Midfielder Philip Chan scored twice against Guam after getting back into Hong Kong team, wants to regain regular spot in ‘more technical’ side
Reigning Hong Kong footballer of the year Philip Chan Siu-kwan said he had felt “weird and empty” after struggling to live up to his own expectations earlier this season.
The midfielder had drifted to the periphery of Ashley Westwood’s Hong Kong team before returning to score twice in Tuesday’s 5-0 EAFF qualifying final hammering of Guam.
Chan has been out of sorts with club team Tai Po, too, and found himself on the bench for last month’s top-of-the table Hong Kong Premier League clash with Eastern.
During the 32-year-old’s impressive 2023-24 season, it would have been heresy to question his place for either Hong Kong or Tai Po. He was consistently excellent for the city team and scored their only goal at this year’s AFC Asian Cup finals. For Tai Po, Chan’s nine strikes included four in 1-0 victories.
In addition to his footballer of the year crown, Chan was named best Hong Kong player in the local league and fans’ favourite player, along with being selected in the league’s best team.
After scoring against Guam, he held up four fingers to remind onlookers about his quartet of honours.
