CHAN TAM-SUN is the only person to have represented Hong Kong in the World Cup finals - as a referee. He made such an impression during the 1982 tournament in Spain, he earned himself the nickname - 'Big Little Man'.
'At the time I just thought of it as another job well done,' says the no-nonsense character popular with local television viewers as a football expert on TVB.
'But now I look back on it and realise it was a dream come true - the best thing a referee can ever achieve. You'd have to officiate on the moon to better the World Cup,' he says.
Diminutive Chan was the man-in-the-middle for a crucial match between Northern Ireland and Honduras, and was assistant referee (linesman) or fourth official in four other matches.
One of these matches was the legendary second-round battle between eventual champions Italy and tournament favourites Brazil, a game that drew the most pre-final attention.
Linesman Chan's authoritative performance in the match earned him worldwide recognition, and the name 'Big Little Man' from the Spanish media.
