Shape up or go, South China tell expats
South China's overseas players have been given until next month to prove themselves or face the axe when the transfer window opens in January.
At a contract renewal ceremony with English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur last night, team convenor Steven Lo Kit-sing revealed they had already secured three new players - two from Brazil and one from South Korea - to strengthen the squad after a disappointing three-month start to the new season. 'The three new players will not arrive until late December and I don't want to disclose their names and what positions they play at this stage,' Lo said.
'Also, we want to give our expatriates another chance to prove themselves. If they can perform during this period, we will definitely consider keeping them and if not, they have to go.'
South China have four crucial matches in the next four weeks. They need to play Wofoo Tai Po and defending champions Kitchee in the league before turning their attention to the Canbo Senior Shield, where they have two semi-final matches (home and away) against TSW Pegasus. The Caroliners are fourth in the league table, four points behind leaders Kitchee, who have 14 points from six games.
Another hiccup in the next two games will most certainly end South China's hopes of wresting back the title from Kitchee.
The Shield is important as well as it will decide one of two slots as to who will represent Hong Kong in next year's AFC Cup.
South China have five expatriates on their books - strikers Giovane da Silva, Wellingsson de Souza and Dyron Daal and defenders Pasris Nakajima and Joel Bertoti Padilha.
Assistant coach Edgar Junior signed the two unnamed Brazilian players from First Division club Internacional, following a recent scouting mission to the South American country.
'We cannot go for the big names. It's something Hong Kong clubs cannot afford,' Lo said. 'But I can assure you they are both very practical players and because of our partnership with Spurs and Internacional, we don't have to pay any on-loan fees, only their salaries and accommodation in Hong Kong. They will be here for six months until the end of the season.'
Lo also revealed the three overseas teams that would take part in the Asian Challenge Cup in Hong Kong during the Lunar New Year.
The two confirmed teams are Shimizu S-Pulse from Japan and Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma from South Korea. Guangzhou Fuli, who will be promoted to the Chinese Super League next season, are expected to be the third team as an agreement with the club is being finalised.
