Political football: Identity politics at play in Hong Kong's soccer clash with China
Hong Kong's clash with China turns into a literal example of political football as fans use soccer to vent discontent with Beijing
Fans chanting "We are Hong Kong" at Mong Kok Stadium on Tuesday night were not merely giving vocal support to the boys in red as the city's soccer players battled to a valiant 0-0 draw in their World Cup qualifier against China. They were also reflecting the growing sense of Hong Kong identity that has developed in recent years.
For fans watching in the stadium or at live screenings across this city, this was no ordinary soccer match. Many saw it as an occasion to defend Hongkongers' pride in the face of a more assertive and increasingly influential mainland.
The match, billed as Hong Kong's biggest in decades, was a classic example of the nexus between sport, politics and identity.
As chants of "Hong Kong superb" rang out, some fans brandished banners with slogans such as "Hong Kong is not China", making headlines overseas. Some held up signs saying "boo" during the national anthem - after Fifa fined the local soccer association for audible booing of the anthem at previous games.
"The Chinese side has no-one to blame but the Beijing government's disrespect of our city," said one of those holding a "boo" sign, Louis Cheng Wai-lun. "The football match … pretty much epitomised the political struggle between the two places."