'Missing' Chan Siu-ki back training with Hong Kong national team
Despite rumours that he no longer wanted to turn out for the national side, Sunray Cave striker makes a reappearance in training
Chan Siu-ki returned to national team training yesterday, refuting rumours that he did not want to play for the side and lifting their hopes for the East Asian Cup qualifiers, which start in Hong Kong in 10 days' time.
Chan, who now plays for the China First Division side Sunray Cave, ended weeks of speculation about his whereabouts after he failed to respond to a call from then coach Ernie Merrick for an international match against Malaysia last month.
"As far as I understand, my club informed the Hong Kong Football Association about an injury which made me unavailable for that match," said Chan, who turned up at the team's practice at Tsing Yi Northeast Park for the first time since joining the mainland side in July.
"I don't know why there were rumours that I did not want to play for the Hong Kong team."
Two South China central defenders, Lee Chi-ho and Chan Wai-ho, were also missing from the 3-0 defeat, a result which hastened the departure of Merrick, who was replaced by the HKFA academy coach Kim Pan-gon.
Lee announced before the home match against Malaysia that he would never play for Merrick because of issues with his coaching style, while Chan Wai-ho was nursing an ankle injury.
But both players featured in the return match in Malaysia last week as Hong Kong emerged with a 1-1 draw. Lee said he changed his mind after Kim was appointed as the caretaker coach, while Chan Wai-ho recovered from his injury.