Age is just a number, says hard-working Christian Annan
Winger Christian Annan believes age will not be a problem despite a hectic schedule of both home and international fixtures, including the qualifying rounds for the East Asian Cup, which will kick off in Taipei on Thursday.
Hong Kong will meet North Korea, Guam and the hosts in a single round robin tournament with only the winners qualifying for next year's final against top three nations in the region - Japan, South Korea and China.
The 36-year-old naturalised player from Ghana has already played 15 matches for his club Kitchee and the Hong Kong team since the preseason this summer.
"I never think about it [age]. It is just a number," said Annan, who featured in yesterday's Hong Kong team training match against Sun Pegasus in their final build-up for the qualifying tournament in Taiwan.
"It is all about what I can do. The sky is unlimited and I never want to stop, but just keep going.
"I also understand recovery is important to a player who has played so many games. I always try not to think about soccer when I am not playing, giving myself more rest mentally, so I can tackle the busy schedule."
Since being eligible to represent Hong Kong in March, the speedy winger has been involved in most of the national team's international matches, including all four ties in the Asian Games in Incheon in September, as one of the over-aged players allowed in the squad when Hong Kong reached the round of 16.
"I must give credit to the Under-23 squad with whom I went to South Korea," he said. "I can see how they fight for the name of Hong Kong at international level and their fighting spirit was second to none.
"And I am just as happy to see that these fine qualities in a soccer player can also be found in the senior squad."
Annan said young players such as Wong Wai and Leung Kwun-chung, both of whom are with the squad heading to Taiwan, had strong potential.
"They are the future of Hong Kong soccer," he said. "But I believe I also have a lot to offer."
