The Rational Ref | Revitalised knockout competitions could take Hong Kong soccer to the next level

Soccer buffs will know the common bond between Kwai Tsing, Tai Po and Citizen in Hong Kong and Bradford City, Luton Town and Oldham Athletic in England. These teams, together with other smaller and unfashionable clubs throughout the history of the game, do the words "cup" and "upset" proud.

Last weekend, the FA Cup fourth-round ties in England produced an abundance of "cupsets," with five English Premier League giants knocked out by various "Davids".

Bigger clubs dismiss lower-ranked opponents at their peril because the passion and commitment shown by lesser opponents can easily bridge the gap in class and position. This is a marvel of the Beautiful Game.

League One outfit Oldham beat Liverpool, while another third-tier team, MK Dons, upset Queens Park Rangers. Championship sides Millwall and Leeds United beat Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur respectively. The biggest shock was Luton Town - a Conference Premier team - defeating Norwich City to become the first non-league side to knock out a top-flight club since 1989 when Sutton United beat Coventry City. It is also the biggest gap an underdog side have overcome in the EPL era; a difference of 85 places.

Cupsets also occurred in the League Cup, England's lesser version of the famous FA Cup that is open to the FA's four leagues of 92 teams.

League Two team Bradford City eliminated three EPL teams - Wigan, Arsenal and Aston Villa - and became the first team from the fourth tier to reach the final of this competition since Rochdale in 1962. There is a difference of 70 places between finalists Bradford and EPL side Swansea. To add to the romance of knockout tournaments, this will be Swansea's first major final in their 101-year history.

Importantly, these enthralling underdog results inspire others with the time-honoured belief that almost anything is possible, providing of course there is a sliver of hope in the first place.