Sham Shui Po coach Lee Chi-kin hopes his young side have turned the corner following their 1-0 defeat of Hong Kong Sapling in the Halewinner League Cup at Mong Kok Stadium yesterday.
Watched by new Hong Kong coach Ernie Merrick, 18-year-old Fong Pak-lun headed home the only goal of the first-round tie midway through the first half, giving the club their first win of the season and a match-up with First Division leaders TSW Pegasus in the next round.
The top-flight debutants, comprising mostly of players under 20, are bottom of the standings, having lost eight of their nine First Division matches and managing only one draw, 2-2 against Sapling last week.
'I would have preferred a victory in the league but this cup win at least puts us on the right track,' Lee said.
He acknowledged Sham Shui Po would be hard-pressed to avoid relegation. 'We're not giving up, though,' he added. 'We are improving match by match and relegation would be such a shame.
'I hope there is some way that a non-commercial club like us can stay in the top flight because our target is to develop the young players. They are the future of Hong Kong soccer.'
