La Salle football star kicks off HK career
A new Hong Kong football star will take to the field at Mong Kok Stadium tonight.
Adrian Fong Pak-lun (pictured) joins the line-up for the Hong Kong versus Taipei international football friendly match. The 18-year-old Form Six student from La Salle College is the youngest player in the squad's 21-player list. But he is not the only newcomer; Australian coach Ernie Merrick will be leading the team for the first time.
Midfielder Adrian has only had six months' experience in First Division competitions since his team Sham Shui Po was promoted at the beginning of the season in September. Because the match is so important for his football career, Adrian's school has allowed him to skip the mock exam on Monday so he can train with the team.
When Young Post talked to Adrian, he said he was calm and looking forward to the match.
'I hope my training performance can impress coach Merrick, and it is good enough to convince him to send me in to play during the match,' he said. 'I've asked my mum to come and watch.'
Merrick said that including Adrian in the squad was not a gimmick. 'Adrian is a good player who needs more international tournament experience. We also have six others who are under-23 novice players,' he said.
The match starts at 8pm. Tickets are on sale through Cityline or Parsons Music outlets.
