Chinese Super League clubs’ refusal to release Hong Kong players for country’s own Asian Games frustrates coach Jorn Andersen
- Hong Kong’s Games preparation dealt blow by Chinese clubs Dalian Pro and Zhejiang Pro blocking selections of Vas Nunez and Leung Nok-hang
- City’s coach Andersen also blasts Hong Kong Premier League, baffled by officials’ decision to play domestic fixtures during Games
Hong Kong coach Jorn Andersen still hopes striker Matt Orr can take his place in the city’s Asian Games squad after two other players based in mainland China had their selection blocked by their Chinese clubs.
Andersen had backed mainland experience to fill his quota of three permitted overage players for the under-23 tournament at next month’s China-hosted Games, but preparations have been hit by the refusal of Chinese Super League clubs to release two of the trio for the event in Hangzhou.
The coach was left crossing his fingers over the availability of Orr, who plays for Guangxi Pingguo Haliao in China League One, which will shut down during the Games.
There is no break in the Chinese Super League season, however, and Dalian Pro and Zhejiang Pro would not allow Andersen use of defenders Vas Nunez and Leung Nok-hang respectively.
Andersen – also vexed over two Hong Kong Premier League fixtures clashing with the Games – is eyeing alternatives, with Li Ngai-hoi, 28, who last month joined BC Rangers from mainland side Nantong Zhiyun, among those under consideration.
“The Chinese Super League will not stop and these teams won’t give us the players,” Andersen said. “They are not obliged to release anybody [the Games being outside Fifa jurisdiction], so we have to go for the second choices.
“But it is frustrating. I heard China will take three overage players from top teams, who will let them go, so I am very frustrated about that.”
It is compounded by the absence of any players from Hong Kong treble winners Kitchee, who have two Asian Champions League (ACL) ties and a domestic fixture during the Games. Fellow high-flyers Lee Man also have a Premier League match.
The Norwegian had only 12 outfield players to work with when his squad trained in Hong Kong on Monday. His side are grouped with Uzbekistan, Syria and Afghanistan and begin their campaign on September 20.
Andersen had hoped to at least prise 20-year-old Kitchee defender Shinichi Chan. He hit a roadblock there, too.
“[The league] are stupid to put these matches during the Asian Games, I don’t know who gave them the idea,” Andersen said. “I told them not to put fixtures during the Asian Games schedule.
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“I spoke to Kitchee but Shinichi will be difficult for us when they are playing Premier League and ACL.”
Andersen has included Chan in a 33-strong party for friendlies against Cambodia and Brunei next month ahead of a two-legged World Cup qualifier with Bhutan in October.
Hong Kong’s youngest international after a debut aged 16 in 2019, Chan won the last of his four caps in 2021. He is back with Kitchee after spending the second half of last term with Spanish third-tier side Real Union, although that was ruined by a metatarsal injury in March.
The left-back impressed in his side’s season-opening victory over Tai Po on Saturday.
“I am very happy he is back in Hong Kong – he is not in top condition but he is on the way there after a long injury,” Andersen said.
“I saw him on Saturday and he was in a good way. He is a quality player and I am very happy he can be back in my squad.”
