Hong Kong footballers aim to keep fans flocking to Kai Tak, goalkeeper Yapp says
Yapp Hung-fai says players felt responsibility to persuade new fans to keep watching after 42,000 crowd at new stadium
Goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai said Hong Kong’s players had felt under pressure to rise to the occasion on their debut at Kai Tak Stadium this week, to turn the thousands who flocked to the new venue into regular attendees.
More than 42,000 people watched Ashley Westwood’s team dramatically beat India 1-0 in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier on Tuesday, courtesy of a late penalty from Stefan Pereira.
Four-figure home attendances have been the norm during Yapp’s 15-year international career, but the switch to the new stadium, which officially opened in March, drew a number that hinted at untapped local interest.
Yapp said the much larger Kai Tak crowd “gave us power”, and Hong Kong’s chances of reaching the 2027 Asian finals would be boosted by playing their two remaining home qualifiers at the 50,000-capacity ground.
“It was one of my best nights playing for Hong Kong, but before the game I felt pressure,” Yapp said.
“We knew a lot of fans were joining the party, and that the result would affect attendances after this game. We all wanted to win to convince them to come again.