NATIONAL coach Wong Man-wai will hand in his resignation this week, leaving the Hongkong World Cup squad without a South China player or official.
Wong confirmed yesterday he would not be involved when the territory play their World Cup qualifying matches in Lebanon next month and in South Korea in June.
His resignation comes as another body blow to a squad already battered by the withdrawal of five South China players and Caroliners boss Steven Lo Kit-sing, who was acting as an assistant manager.
Wong cited business commitments with South China, where he is team manager, as the reason for stepping down from a position he has held for two years after succeeding Hongkong Sports Institute head coach Kwok Ka-ming.
His move comes less than five weeks before the territory begin their World Cup campaign in Lebanon on May 7-15.
Wong said: ''I have made up my mind. I wish to step down as national coach and I will hand in my resignation to the Hongkong Football Association after the holidays.