Goncalves urges Hong Kong football chiefs to invite English Premier League, La Liga giants for tours to raise standards

Kitchee captain Helio Goncalves has urged local football chiefs to increase their efforts to attract the world’s biggest clubs to play friendly matches in Hong Kong. The city has been starved of elite visitors since 2019, when English Premier League champions Manchester City faced Kitchee at Hong Kong Stadium. Inter Miami’s much-hyped visit in February spectacularly flopped after star attraction Lionel Messi failed to play. The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA), meanwhile, have dampened speculation over a potential tournament featuring Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, at the new Kai Tak Sports Park, early in 2025. Centre-back Goncalves is approaching his 10-year anniversary as a Kitchee player, a landmark that traditionally earns European footballers a testimonial. The 38-year-old would hand-pick either Juventus or Santos, the Brazilian club where he began his career, as opponents for such an occasion. In reality, he will toast the milestone with a team barbecue, while other Asian regions are stealing a march on Hong Kong in the race to welcome illustrious clubs. Singapore last year hosted Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, who will play in Japan this summer. Sources have told the Post that Italian champions Inter Milan will play in mainland China as they prepare for the 2024-25 season. “If Hong Kong wants to improve its local and international football, [football bosses] need to do more things,” Goncalves said. “It is not good enough to just settle. “Having top teams here would promote Hong Kong, and it is good experience for our players to face these amazing talents. If you have a good organisation, you can make a lot of money from this.” Goncalves was talking after a press conference previewing this year’s Hong Kong Top Footballer Awards, which will be staged at the Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 28. Eric Fok Kai-shan, chairman of the HKFA, delivered a speech, but HKFA staff told reporters he would not be available for interviews. The organisation’s CEO, Joaquin Tam, did not address the room and left before talking to journalists. Goncalves, who has 36 Hong Kong caps, has been playing in the local league since 2008, when he joined Citizen from Olimpia in Brazil. He has seen the “standard drop a lot” in that period, and said there was an acute need for investment, to enable clubs to recruit marquee overseas players. “We used to have great teams, great players and more clubs competing for the title,” Goncalves said. “More investment is the number one thing we need, bosses who can help teams bring quality foreigners. “Those players get fans to the stadiums, and attract advertising. So many more things need to happen, but that is one that can help build football up again.” Goncalves said his advancing years made every season feel like a “gift from God”, but vowed to play on for as long as his body allowed. He remains available for Hong Kong, and wants a positive resolution to contract talks between head coach Jorn Andersen and the HKFA. “He got great results for Hong Kong, and I think he deserves a little bit more time,” Goncalves said. Goncalves would also like Kim Dong-jin, the interim head coach of Kitchee, “to have a longer opportunity to show his work”. Kim replaced Alex Chu Chi-kwong in September. Despite acknowledging “the transition [between bosses] was complicated”, Goncalves said uncertainty around Kim’s future was not responsible for Kitchee’s slight downturn this season. They must beat third-placed Eastern on Wednesday to retain realistic hopes of leapfrogging leaders Lee Man and claiming a fourth straight title. A 0-0 draw between Kitchee and Eastern three weeks ago was overshadowed by the district team’s furious tirade over the standard of officiating in the Hong Kong Premier League. They felt they were denied a clear-cut penalty for handball, while Goncalves and fellow defender Law Tsz-chun were both fortunate to escape second yellow cards. “They can talk, it’s normal, but so many things happened to our team [this season], and we didn’t complain,” Goncalves, a six-time title winner, said. “Referees are human beings, and can make mistakes. “There are some boring games in the league, but people want to watch when we play Eastern. We will be prepared, and we have to win.”