Japanese footballer hailed as ‘Messi’ seeks cup final redemption in Hong Kong
Having re-established himself in Lee Man team, Ryoya Tachibana is aiming for Sapling Cup joy against Southern on Thursday
When Lee Man last reached the Sapling Cup final two years ago, Ryoya Tachibana remained glued to the bench in a 2-0 defeat by Southern.
There is little chance of the Japanese left-back being overlooked when the same two teams clash for the 2025 prize at Mong Kok Stadium on Thursday.
Having fallen out of favour under previous coach Matt Holland, Tachibana underlined his resurgence on Sunday with an entry for goal of the season. Running from his own half, the 29-year-old scythed through Eastern before deftly lifting a finish over Hong Kong’s best goalkeeper, Yapp Hung-fai.
After Lee Man wrapped up the 2-1 win that kept them in the hunt for a second straight league title, supporters serenaded Tachibana with chants of “Messi, Messi”.
“The win was so important … it was a good goal, the best of my career, but getting three points was all that mattered,” said Tachibana, who joked that the Lionel Messi comparison was especially sweet because he preferred the Argentine to his rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.
After an unbeaten league campaign last season, Lee Man have had a chaotic 2024-25. Interim coach Chu Siu-kei is in charge for the second time, after Tsang Chiu-tat paid the price for a poor start and Holland was ousted following a roller-coaster 13-game spell.