Hong Kong First Division teams could find themselves playing 24 league matches each this season if a senior clubs' proposal is ratified by the governing body.
At a meeting of those clubs last night, a suggestion was put forward, which if approved, will change significantly the shape of this year's league championship. The proposal includes a format comprising two phases of double round-robin games, in which the seven teams play each other twice in the first phase, and repeat the process in the second.
The winners of each phase would play each other in a title-decider, unless of course the same team won each phase.
The proposal, put forward by South China's Peter Leung Shou-chi, would be an expansion on the J. League-style format, where the top teams play in a two-phase, single round-robin competition.
Most clubs feel that with only seven teams playing this season, there is a need to provide those teams with more competitive league matches.
Another reason for the idea is the shelving of the proposed cross-border league involving teams from the Hong Kong First Division and clubs from Guangdong province.
