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Paul McNamara

While Hong Kong were busy hosting Manchester United and beating India in their Kai Tak Stadium debut, neighbours Macau have been stepping up their quest for international relevance under their Hongkonger coach Kenneth Kwok Kar-lok.
Kwok is a familiar face in many households after starring in recent Viu TV reality show Goal to Success, in which he built a competitive team from a group of women with no football experience.
But the former Hong Kong under-23 and Tai Po boss is attempting another transformation, in Macanese men’s football.
His first task upon taking over last November was to secure more high-level match experience for his entirely amateur squad.

Macau played a paltry three games last year. Before this month’s two closed-door friendlies away to Chinese Taipei, their only outing this year had been a 2-0 defeat by Hong Kong in March.
Kwok said the fact that “Hong Kong fans were furious when they heard they would play Macau” showed the difficulty of arranging fixtures for a team ranked No 193 in the world. They have only 17 nations or regions beneath them.
An orderly, competitive performance against Hong Kong gained them more respect. “After that game, a lot of the players began to believe they could become professional,” Kwok said.
The 45-year-old has arranged trials with clubs in the Hong Kong Premier League and China League One for some of his squad.
“By the end of the year, I hope we have five professional players,” he said. “The players have shown they can perform well as amateurs, but they would improve if they were professional.”
In April, Macau’s under-23s, also led by Kwok, entered the fourth-tier Chinese Champions League. They lost all three matches, but several players were contacted afterwards by scouts, according to Kwok.
His youngsters gained further experience last month when they played in the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens, in which their opponents included Aston Villa under-21s, and Western United from Australia. “They could feel the level, it was valuable for their development,” Kwok said.
With AFC Asian U23 Cup qualifiers against South Korea, Laos and hosts Indonesia to come in September, the youngsters are the focus for now.
In October and November, the seniors will have more friendlies, with Kwok aiming to book a first home fixture since September last year.
“The fans have seen a lot of changes since I’ve been in charge, and they want to see a refreshed Macau playing in our home stadium,” Kwok said. “We want to play and win at home.
“The interest is growing. We had about 100 fans follow us to Hong Kong. Recently, more than 100 came to an open training session. It was something new; they’d never had the chance to have direct communication with the players.”
Kwok said Macau had to show each opposing team “we’re on the way up and growing more competitive, because that’s how we’ll get more matches”.
He is using every match to try out players and tactics. “Then, next year, the results need to come,” Kwok said.

Such was his optimism, Kwok opted against applying for the vacant head coach position at Hong Kong club Kitchee.
“I’m very happy with the Macau FA and I have my goals to achieve,” he said, adding that more people were recognising him since the TV show.
“Parents have told me that, after seeing the show, they support their kids learning football. Some women told me they went to matches for the first time.
“Football is about making the impossible possible.”


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Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Coach Kwok from TV show ‘Goal to Success’ seeks similar boost for Macau football

Hong Kong’s Jesse Yu Joy-yin (red shirt) takes on Macau when the teams met in March. Photo: Sam Tsang

Kenneth Kwok coached women with no football background in TV’s Goal to Success. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Kenneth Kwok meets his players as new Sham Shui Po coach in 2022. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Hong Kong footballers aim to keep fans flocking to Kai Tak, goalkeeper Yapp says

Hong Kong players celebrate beating India at Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Supporters unfurl a huge banner at Tuesday’s match. Photo: Elson Li

Stefan Pereira leads the celebrations after his penalty downed India. Photo: Sam Tsang

From football to tennis, which events is Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park hosting?

Hong Kong football fans enjoy their team’s first match at Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday. Photo: Sam Tsang

An aerial view of Hong Kong’s new Kai Tak Stadium, which opened in March. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong fans cheer for their team during the match against India. Photo: Sam Tsang

A National Games fencing test event is held at Kai Tak Arena this month. Photo: Edmond So

Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground will again stage rugby when Hong Kong play Sri Lanka. Photo: Sam Tsang

Sport

Football

Hongkonger aiming to transform the world’s 193rd-ranked international team – a task that echoes his role in Viu TV reality show


Hongkonger aiming to transform the world’s 193rd-ranked international team – a task that echoes his role in Viu TV reality show.


Macau

Coach Kwok from TV show ‘Goal to Success’ seeks similar boost for Macau football

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hongkonger aiming to transform the world’s 193rd-ranked international team – a task that echoes his role in Viu TV reality show

Hongkonger aiming to transform the world’s 193rd-ranked international team – a task that echoes his role in Viu TV reality show