Oh, what a parlous state Hong Kong football has reached when we have to entice fans to watch a match by offering free tickets. It's bad enough being sent the Newcastle Youth team (all players under 20) to warm up our under-23 Hong Kong squad for the 14th Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, in September. But we suspect the response has been so cool the Hong Kong Football Association is recruiting fans to cheer our lads on. A spokesman from the association said free admission to games was rare in Hong Kong, adding the association hoped to attract more fans to watch the game by giving tickets away. 'Local football fans have been waiting for the entire summer for the season to start again,' he said. 'We think it's good to bring more fans in.' He denied the free tickets were a result of the teams' poor pulling power. Get your free tickets tomorrow at the Football Association office at 55 Fat Kwong Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon. Inquiries: 2712 9122. Kick off at 8pm on September 15 at Hong Kong Stadium.
