bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Jonathan White

It may feel like it only just ended – because it did – but the new Hong Kong Premier League season kicks off this weekend.
Eastern take on new boys Resources Capital at Mong Kok Stadium to get the ball rolling on another jam-packed campaign of football before a full four-match fixture list.
Last season, which ended on October 11, went down to the wire with Eastern on for a domestic treble if they could beat R&F on the final day. The Guangzhou-based side had their own hopes of a first title during that game at Hong Kong Stadium.
As it was it finished 0-0 and thanks to Kitchee romping past Happy Valley the league ended up back with the four-time title winners.

Despite the shortened off season, much has happened.
The headline is R&F pulling out of the league but there has been more beside, with 2018-19 champions Tai Po and Yuen Long staying good to their word and dropping down to the second tier.
Hong Kong Premier League to add play-off round for 2020-21 season
Rangers and TSW Pegasus – the other two teams along with Tai Po and Yuen Long to take the opportunity to pull out of last season when the virus struck – are back in for this season, with Rangers calling on a number of HKPL veterans this season.
There is a new format for this season because of the eight-team league. To meet AFC regulations for the minimum number of matches, the league will see a four-team championship play-off at the end of the season.

Global pandemics, social distancing, quarantine bubbles, weeks of treadmill running, signing for a club that withdraws before I can play a single minute. After this chaotic last couple of weeks I’m so FOOKEN HAPPY to put it all behind me and get back to doing what I love! pic.twitter.com/QjURFwzkEK
— Jaredlum (@jaredlum22) November 19, 2020

That should guarantee the same drama as last season with the top four in the table moving on to the knockout stage.
Only Resources Capital have made the move up from the First Division for the new season and they will have to adapt quickly based on their Sapling Cup results.
Elsewhere, there have been several new arrivals and plenty of familiar faces moving around the league.
Questions over Hong Kong football but China won’t be the answer
Jared Lum, who moved to R&F from Kitchee during the Covid-19 confusion, left the Guangzhou club without playing a game.
Lum is now at title favourites Eastern, who will be looking to go one step further after their final day disappointment, but not all of the R&F players have found new homes yet ahead of the season.
Eastern remain stacked up front with Lucas, Sandro and last season’s MVP Everton Camargo set to be joined by Fernando when he returns from injury. That attacking firepower puts them among the favourites for the title.
Hong Kong Premier League to add play-off round for 2020-21 season
They, along with their title rivals, will be cheered on by their fans inside the stadium once more. Supporters are allowed back in, albeit in limited numbers and observing social distancing rules.
After a season finished behind closed doors bar handful of media and unused squad members in the stands, it will make for a refreshing change and something approaching normal.
There will also be fans watching from overseas, not least Happy Valley’s new Nigerian support base. The interest in the club has come from new signing Robert “Jaguar” Odu and the striker has looked the part in the Sapling Cup this season, netting a hat-trick against Resources Capital along with strike partner Mikael.

To keep up with Happy Valley FA ⚽, @odu_robert9 New Club in Hong Kong

Instagram:https://t.co/gqThxiqIAg

Facebook: https://t.co/8RfobFcrLB

Twitter @HVFCHKG

To Stream matches ; https://t.co/BcOSUePleg
or https://t.co/ZRPAhWUA6I

⚽ #Jaguar #OduRobert #Hvaa
RT pic.twitter.com/TKOnJmYWvu
— Adégbílé Micheal | (@official_micolo) October 31, 2020

What Nigeria’s new Valley fans and those in Hong Kong will get to see and for how long depends on Hong Kong’s battle with the Covid-19 pandemic but on the pitch it appears to be as up for grabs as last season ended.
Eastern will be challenged by champions Kitchee and an improving Lee Man side, while Southern under player-manager Zesh Rehman and Happy Valley remain in the background.
Kitchee have been free-scoring in the Sapling Cup, with Matthew Orr helping himself to two hat-tricks in two games against Rangers, while both Eastern and Happy Valley are already qualified from the group stage.
Guangzhou side R&F pull out of Hong Kong ‘with immediate effect’
Valley beat Eastern to set their stall out for the season with injury time goals from Yip Cheul-man goal and Luciano Silva sealing a 2-1 comeback win.
The season will have a new look and with it perhaps a new champion.


Hong Kong football boss ‘shocked’ to land job, downplays permanent hopes after dream start

Lee Man boss Chu sacked hours after shock FA Cup defeat to Rangers, Reed takes charge

Tai Po backers deny they’ll pull plug on team, say Hong Kong champions have full support

Meet the Hong Kong footballer balancing a passion for nursing with chasing China dream

Hong Kong Premier League

Hong Kong Premier League: Eastern and Kitchee vying for title again

Kitchee players celebrate after their first goal in a 3-2 win over R&F 3-2 at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground in October. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Kitchee crowned the 2020 Hong Kong Premier League champions, their 10th overall league title and third over the last four seasons. Kitchee beats Happy Valley 4-0 at Mong Kong Stadium to clinch the title. 11OCT20 Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Promoted Resources Capital on a mission to develop young players, even if it means relegation from the Hong Kong Premier League

Resources Capital striker Wong Wai-kwok in action against Kwoon Chung Southern in the Sapling Cup. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Newly promoted Resources Capital to have fans watch their first game on Saturday. 31OCT20 Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Resources Capital coach Joan Esteva will follow the club philosophy of providing opportunities to local young players but hope they can also stay competitive in the Premier League . Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Newly promoted HKPL side Resources Capital at training in Kings Park. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Hong Kong Premier League kick-off to be delayed by a week

Everton Camargo (left), MVP of last season, will continue to lead Eastern when the league campaign kicks off on November 21. Photo: Felix Wong

Soccer lovers try to get a glimpse of the closed door football match Happy Valley Vs Kitchee as social gathering ban remains in force and keeps crowds away, Mongkok Stadium. 11OCT20 SCMP / Sam Tsang

Hong Kong Premier League to add play-off round for 2020-21 season to ensure clubs fulfil AFC match regulations

Hong Kong champions Kitchee will need to go through a play-off round next season if they are to defend their title. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) president Pui Kwan-kay chairs the meeting of the board at Ho Man Tin. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Eastern Long Lions celebrate winning the 2019-20 Senior Shield at Mong Kok Stadium on October 2, 2020. Photo: HKFA

Cheng Chin-lung of Kitchee (in blue) against BC Rangers defender Cesar Leguizamon Arce. Under the coronavirus crisis, Kitchee versus BC Rangers, a Sapling Cup match, is held closed doors at the Tseung Kwan O Football Training Centre. 11FEB20

Eastern’s Everton Camargo named Hong Kong Premier League player of the year as season start confirmed

Everton Camargo with his trophy haul from the 2019-20 season. Photos: HKFA

Hong Kong FA proposes more matches for Premier League after R&F pull-out leaves only eight teams

Eastern goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai (right) stops Kitchee striker Nikola Komazec as Eastern central half Clayton Afonso tries to clear the danger in a Hong Kong Premier League match at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Soccer lovers (mostly Kitchee FC fans) try to get a glimpse of the closed door football match Happy Valley Vs Kitchee as social gathering ban remains in force and keeps crowds away, Mongkok Stadium. 11OCT20 SCMP / Sam Tsang

Eastern's Everton Camargo shoots on the Lee Man goal in the Senior Shield final at Mong Kok Stadium. Photo: HKFA

Sport

Football

Hong Kong


Eight-team HKPL kicks off new format with title favourites taking on debutants Resources Capital before champions Kitchee meet Lee Man
Fans allowed back in stadiums while Nigeria will be tuning in to watch striker Robert Odu at Happy Valley



Eight-team HKPL kicks off new format with title favourites taking on debutants Resources Capital before champions Kitchee meet Lee Man as fans are allowed back in to stadiums and Nigeria is set to tune in to watch striker Robert Odu at Happy Valley.


Kitchee SC

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China