South China's hopes of Asian glory have suffered a setback with star player Ricky Cheng Siu-chung likely to be registered as an overseas player in the Asian Cup Winners' Cup. The Caroliners, who have a first-round bye, are to face the winners of the match between Malaysia's Pahang and Bandung Raya, of Indonesia, in the second round later this month. According to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rules, clubs can only register four non-local players. And the regional governing body ruled that Cheng, who holds a Costa Rican passport, would be considered an overseas player. 'We have made a mistake by putting in Cheng's Costa Rican national identity even though he is registered as a local player with the Hong Kong Football Association [HKFA],' said the Caroliners' team manager Lee Yun-wah. The Caroliners' four expats - Dutch goalkeeper Werner Kooistra, Brazilian defender Aurelio Da Silva, Portuguese midfielder Pedro Xavier and utility player Song Lianyong - have been included in the 19-player list submitted to the AFC. Striker Dale Tempest, who has lived in the territory for seven years, is also categorised by the AFC as a non-local player because the 32-year-old has yet to receive his Hong Kong permanent identity card. HKFA chief executive officer Vincent Yuen said yesterday the AFC had also discovered that Cheng once represented Costa Rica in the World Youth Championship. 'Therefore, Cheng is treated as a Costa Rican rather than a Hong Kong citizen,' said Yuen. 'Tempest is still an expatriate because he is currently registered as an expatriate with the HKFA. If he can get his Hong Kong permanent identity card before the first-leg match next Saturday, he will be able to re-register as a local player.' Cheng, who turns 24 later this month, was born in Hong Kong but emigrated to the Central American country when he was seven. He is eligible to register as a local player with the HKFA because he holds a Hong Kong permanent ID card. South China manager Lee said he had sent Cheng's Hong Kong identity card and other related documents to the AFC in a bid to clarify the player's situation. 'Although Cheng's chances are low, we have to try our best. We are waiting for the AFC's reply,' said Lee. 'If Cheng has to be registered as an expat, then we will have to drop Xavier or Song.' Cheng was registered as a local player when he played for Eastern in the Asian Club Championship two years ago. Former Eastern manager Peter Leung Shou-chi said: 'South China have obviously made a mistake and it is unlikely the AFC will accept Cheng's local identity.' Bandung defeated Pahang 1-0 in the first round, first-leg last Saturday. Both sides meet again in Indonesia this Saturday to decide who will meet South China in the next round. Meanwhile, Happy Valley are looking to recall 29-year-old Russian goalkeeper Victor Derbounov, now playing for China's Shanghai Yuyuan, to strengthen their defence. Brazilian midfielder/forward Luiz Henrique Monteiro Da Silva, 25, will also join Valley next week. Club director Jimmy Liang Ting said the performances of their current Brazilian 'keeper Joel Machado were inconsistent.
