NATIONAL soccer coach Chan Hung-ping believes Hongkong's policy of allowing five overseas professionals in each First Division team is holding back the development of homegrown players.
Despite the current quota level being reconfirmed at a meeting of leading clubs this week, Chan would like to see the number reduced to four to give more opportunities to local Chinese players.
After Wednesday's World Cup qualifying defeat by Lebanon in the Asia Group D second phase in Seoul, South Korea, Chan said a lack of depth in his 22-strong squad had left him with inadequate cover for a couple of key players who were missing because of injury.
Of the 22 players representing Hongkong in Seoul, four of them are not even first-team regulars with their clubs in the First Division.
Said Chan: ''From a commercial point of view the clubs like more foreign players because it brings in more people to watch the games.
''I agree with that but, at the same time, I would like to see more positions open for the Chinese.
