The Hong Kong men's soccer team begins training for the EAFF E-1 Football Championships this week. Three Hong Kong players from the Chinese Super League are able to join the squad for the training.
During the first practice on Monday, only about 15 players were seen on the field. Kitchee players are currently preparing for their AFC Champions League Round of 16 match against BG Pathum United, which will take place on August 19 in Japan.
Three players were not selected at first as their Chinese Super League teams refused to let them go for international duty.
Jorn Andersen, head coach of the Hong Kong team, stated that “They (Chinese Super League) don’t let them go. I don’t understand ...They let Chinese players attend the Chinese team duty and they don’t let Vas Nunez back to Hong Kong. Some players said that they don’t want us to have a full team to play against China. I cannot understand it but if that is true, I am very disappointed about Chinese Soccer.”
However, the Hong Kong Soccer Association announced three players from the CSL will be joining the team for the upcoming games. The three players include Mark Tan Chun-lok of Guangzhou City FC, Jacky Leung Nok-hang of Zhejiang FC and Vas Nunez of Meizhou Hakka FC.
Notable names out of the Championships game include Huang Yang and Yapp Hung-fai, due to the testing for getting a coaching license and family reasons respectively.
Andersen added that he doesn’t consider players' age when deciding his roster and that he only looks at the quality and condition of the players.
The Hong Kong team will have their practice every day starting from Monday to prepare for their opening game against hosts Japan next Tuesday (July 19).
Hong Kong Team began practice Monday
Hong Kong Team began practice Monday
Hong Kong Team began practice Monday
