Arif Ali, Hong Kong's leading player, was back in action - the only problem was that he was playing soccer. And his absence was badly felt as the SAR's Asian Games-bound team were hammered 4-0 by unrated Inner Mongolia, who finished unbeaten at the quadrangular tournament which ended at King's Park yesterday.
While his three brothers, Asghar, Akbar and Asif, were wearing the SAR's new sleeveless strip, Arif was playing a social game of soccer at nearby Kowloon Cricket Club. He turned up during the second half to watch Inner Mongolia romp to a comfortable victory, which was sealed by half-time when they led 3-0.
'I have been dropped,' replied Arif, when asked why he was not on the pitch helping his Hong Kong teammates in this warm-up tournament for December's Asian Games in Doha. 'I believe I was dropped because I asked for money - money for the loss of earnings the players will suffer when we go to Doha in December. The Hong Kong Hockey Association refused to acknowledge my request and I found myself not being picked for this tournament,' explained Arif.
Hong Kong coach Simon Chapman was tight-lipped when asked if Arif had been dropped. Chapman replied 'no comment' on three occasions - if Hong Kong missed Arif in midfield, if Arif had been dropped, and if it was because of a money issue. Chapman's hands are obviously tied, and he has to make do with the team he is given. And yesterday, that team - also missing two other key players, Farouq Saeed (recovering from knee surgery) and Alfonso Cordeiro (unavailable due to work commitments) - were found wanting.
'I don't expect the association to pay us, I know they don't have the money. What I want is for them to apply to the LCSD [Leisure and Cultural Services Department] who have a scheme whereby they compensate athletes for loss of earnings,' said Arif, who returned last week from Kuala Lumpur where he plays in the Malaysian league.
'I personally have made huge sacrifices for Hong Kong. I lost close to HK$60,000 when I cut short my contract in Australia earlier this year to return and play for Hong Kong in the qualifying tournament for the Asian Games,' said Arif. 'I don't expect to be reimbursed for that as I wanted to be back and make certain that Hong Kong qualified. What I want is to be looked after when we go to Doha,' he added.