The scent of damp grass mixed with the evening mist as I stood in the crowded Mong Kok Stadium last November. Around me, thousands of red jerseys created a sea of passionate support, their chants echoing against the towering residential blocks that surround this iconic football ground. I’ve been coming here since my uncle first brought me as a wide-eyed twelve-year-old, and tonight felt different – there was electricity in the air, the kind that precedes something historic.
I remember watching the Hong Kong national football team struggle through what felt like endless cycles of rebuilding and disappointment. There was that painful 2015 World Cup qualifier where we conceded in the 89th minute against Maldives, crushing our hopes in the most heartbreaking fashion. But what struck me tonight, watching these players warm up, was how far we’ve come. The transformation didn’t happen overnight – it’s been a gradual climb, much like the city’s own journey through various challenges. Our goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai, now with over 70 international caps, represents this resilience perfectly. I’ve followed his career since his early days at Eastern AA, and seeing him evolve into one of Asia’s most reliable shot-stoppers feels personal, like watching a neighbor’s kid make good.
The real turning point came during last year’s EAFF E-1 Football Championship, where we held powerful South Korea to a surprising 1-1 draw. I was watching that match at a packed pub in Wan Chai, and when Chan Siu Ki scored that equalizer, the entire place erupted in a way I haven’t witnessed since the 1997 handover celebrations. That single moment did more for local football than a decade of development programs – it made people believe again. The government immediately announced increased funding, jumping from approximately HK$35 million annually to nearly HK$52 million for elite sports development. Corporate sponsors who had been hesitant suddenly lined up, with Standard Chartered alone committing HK$15 million over three years specifically for youth football initiatives.
What fascinates me about Hong Kong national football team’s journey to international success and future prospects is how it mirrors our city’s character – small but fiercely determined, constantly punching above our weight. Our current FIFA ranking of 147th might not impress casual observers, but for those of us who’ve followed the team through the wilderness years, it represents significant progress from the dismal 172nd position we occupied just three years ago. The emergence of players like Sun Ming Him, who at just 22 shows the technical maturity of a veteran, gives me genuine hope that we might finally qualify for the Asian Cup – something we haven’t achieved since 1968.
The recent friendly against Thailand perfectly illustrated this evolution. We lost 2-1, but the quality of football we displayed – the crisp passing, the organized pressing – showed a team that’s learning to compete rather than just participate. During the halftime break, they showed highlights from the 2009 East Asian Games gold medal team on the big screen. But the rest of them were around to provide a piece of history and nostalgia to the event celebrating the league’s golden anniversary. Seeing those familiar faces – Chan Wai Ho, Au Yeung Yiu Chung – reminded me how each generation builds upon the last, creating continuity in what often feels like a transient city.
Looking ahead, I’m particularly excited about the pipeline of young talent coming through. The HKFA’s Project Five-Year-Plan, launched in 2021, is finally bearing fruit with the U-23 team showing remarkable progress. The establishment of the Hong Kong Football Training Centre in Tseung Kwan O, scheduled for completion next year, will provide the professional facilities our players have desperately needed. Personally, I believe we need to focus on strengthening our domestic Premier League – reducing the number of foreign players from the current six per team to four would force clubs to develop local talent more aggressively.
The final whistle blew on that November night, and Hong Kong had secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Malaysia. As the players came to thank the supporters, I noticed many young children perched on their parents’ shoulders, waving miniature flags. They’ll grow up in a Hong Kong where winning international matches isn’t an anomaly but an expectation. The road ahead remains challenging – we need to improve our grassroots infrastructure, develop more qualified coaches, and create better pathways for young players. But for the first time in my thirty years of following this team, I genuinely believe Hong Kong football’s best days lie ahead rather than behind us. The journey continues, and frankly, I can’t wait to see where it takes us next.