Senior Hong Kong soccer officials will try to get national midfielder Chiu Chung-man exempted from the mandatory fitness test which he failed for the second time yesterday.
Sing Tao's Chiu was one of four players who failed the Hong Kong FA's test at Siu Sai Wan Stadium. The others were Chiu's teammate Marlon Van Der Sander, Golden defender Lee Wai-wo and reserve player Auyeung Man-wai.
On the same day, 11 South China players passed. Nine of them had failed in a previous attempt.
Both Chiu, who has suffered from asthma for 10 years, and the 36-year-old Van Der Sander have now failed twice. They are allowed a third and final chance.
HKFA vice-president Albert Hung Cho-hong and national team director Peter Leung Shou-chi said they would try to help Chiu get an exemption from the test, which requires players to run 3,000 metres in under 12 minutes before they can play in the First Division.
'Chiu has been trying hard to pass but his health problem prevents him from making it,' said Hung, who is also a vice-chairman of the South China Athletic Association. 'We don't want to lose a player like Chiu. He's only 27. He is one of the best local midfielders around and has contributed a lot to the national team.' Leung, who is also South China's director, said Chiu should first get a document from his doctor certifying he has asthma.
'He showed improvement in his second test although he was still 200 metres short. He has asthma and you can't push him too much. Do you want him to die?' asked Leung. 'Chiu's case is a special one. I hope the HKFA council can give him special treatment.' Dutchman Van Der Sander, who gave up after six laps because of a right-knee injury, said he would not take the third test until his knee has mended. 'I don't mind playing in the lower divisions or even quitting but I don't want to risk my knee,' he said.