Hong Kong Premier League ‘technically better’ than English Football League – Lee Man ace
Englishman Ryan Tafazolli targets double glory and return to ‘level where I’ve previously been’ after shock loan switch from Wycombe
Ryan Tafazolli said Hong Kong’s Premier League was “technically better” than the English Football League, where he spent his entire professional career before completing a shock loan switch to Lee Man.
Defender Tafazolli made his debut in the reigning champions’ scruffy 3-2 victory over Kowloon City on Saturday, a fortnight after joining from Wycombe Wanderers to “prove myself and get to the level where I’ve previously been”.
The 33-year-old endured a “nightmare start”, when his handball gifted Kowloon a penalty, and thanked his forwards for “bailing me out”, after three goals in six second-half minutes overturned a 2-0 deficit.
“The football is much more intense in the UK, but elements here are technically better and I have to quickly adapt,” said Tafazolli, who made five appearances for League One Wycombe this season. “There are more consecutive passes in build-ups, while in England it can be more direct. I’ll probably have more time on the ball – we’re a good team and we’ll have long spells of possession.”
Tafazolli, who previously played for Mansfield Town, Peterborough United and Hull City, said a recent change of manager at his promotion-chasing parent club, where Mike Dodds was installed following Matt Bloomfield’s exit for Luton Town, had not given him second thoughts about seeking action elsewhere.
“I was injured, then the team were flying, so I fell down the pecking order,” Tafazolli added. “There wasn’t going to be a chance for me to get up to speed. I wanted to get my fitness back … so I thought I could go abroad, test myself and try to do well for Lee Man, then reassess in the summer.”