Up to 2,000 fans at star-studded tribute match for Wan Chi-keung

More than 2,000 fans turned up at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai yesterday for a memorial match featuring former teammates of the late soccer star Wan Chi-keung.

Dubbed 'Asia's best centre forward' during his heyday 20 years ago, the former South China, Seiko and Lai Sun Double Flower star player died two weeks ago at 53 because of organ failure related to his cancer treatment.

Footballers who played with Wan, better known as Wan Lo in the soccer community, at either club or Hong Kong team level, starred in yesterday's seven-a-side match on a cement pitch. Among them were Wu Kwok-hung, Kwok Ka-ming, Lau Wing-yip, Chung Chor-wai, Ho Yung-hing, Choy Yuk-yue, Tsang Ting-fai, Ku Kam-fai and Chan Fat-chi. A minute's silence was observed before the match.

Chung, who was the best centre-forward in Hong Kong before Wan emerged to take his place in the early 1980s, said Wan was a good friend of the players, both on and off the pitch.

'We came here not only to remember Wan as a star player but also as a good friend of ours,' said Chung, now 63 and a retired businessman. 'He was a player who could help the team win with his scoring power and would also offer help to those who had problems in their personal lives.

'On the pitch, he was the best forward in his era and that's why so many fans came here in memory of him.'

Kwok, who played with Wan on the Hong Kong team in the 1970s and later became the Hong Kong team coach, said Wan showed his talents at a very young age.