Hong Kong footballer still can’t recall concussion clash, now eyeing Eastern treble

Marcos Gondra still does not remember the clattering challenge in an AFC Champions League Two clash with Sydney FC in November, or the jarring aftermath that left him sidelined for more than six weeks.

The Eastern midfielder said concussion had left his memory wiped clean of the thumping first-half aerial impact from behind by Hayden Matthews that sent Gondra straight to hospital.

A long recovery meant he did not return to the pitch until January 12, when he scored his side’s first in a 2-0 win over Football Club in the Hong Kong Premier League.

“The concussion was terrible, I still don’t remember anything about the match, or being in hospital that night,” Gondra said.

“I was in hospital for two days, then home in bed for a week doing nothing. I didn’t know how long I was going to need to rest to get better, which was horrible.”

The dizziness and tiredness eventually subsided and the 38-year-old Spaniard was gradually able to begin moving.

“Then I did some running and could work more,” he said. “I trained normally for one week before I came back to playing. In the match, I was OK and didn’t feel anything, so I was very happy.”