Anti-government protests mark Hong Kong Premier League opener at Mong Kok Stadium
- A group of about 40 fans observed a three-minute silence as planned, while many more in the 2,700-strong crowd joined chants
- Kitchee beat Happy Valley 5-0 to send a statement of intent to title rivals
Fans had been asked by a group calling themselves “no gunshots: just whistle” to wear black T-shirts, goggles and masks while observing a three-minute silence during the game.
That took place after six minutes and nine seconds of the second half, a nod to the protest march of June 9 which kicked off months of unrest which have rocked the city.
About 40 fans, a small proportion of the 2,700-strong crowd, stood together in section 18 as they observed the silence.
Organisers had earlier declined to give a figure for how many fans would take part in silences planned for each of the five games on the season-opening weekend.
Protesters say she was hit by a police beanbag round during the clash on August 11, but the force has not taken the blame.
Before their silence the group had intermittently chanted the anti-government slogan “Liberate Hong Kong; Revolution of our time” in Chinese, as well as asking for all of their movement’s five demands – which include the withdrawal of extradition legislation which sparked the protests – to be met. These chants were echoed in other areas of the stadium.
Fans also chanted in English to “fight for freedom” and “separate Hong Kong” during the game.
Other areas of the stadium, in particular Section 27 occupied by Kitchee’s hardcore fans, the Kitchee Blue Wave, also went quiet. The vocal group, who chanted for their team throughout the 90 minutes, observed the silence.
Hong Kong loves football so why not the local game?
Kitchee had taken the lead in the 16th minute through new signing Manuel Bleda. The Spanish forward, who joined from rivals Eastern, got off the mark before goals from the Brazilian pair Lucas and Cleiton saw them go into the interval 3-0 up over the Premier League new boys.
The hosts then added another from the penalty spot after a foul on Lucas, with Fernando keeping his cool from 12 yards to ensure a comfortable start to life under new coach Blaz Sliskovic.
Happy Valley piled on the pressure in the second half, drawing a number of saves from Kitchee goalkeeper Wang Zhenpeng.
The hosts would go on to score next, though. Souza netted to ensure that the three-time Premier League champions would send a message to their rivals with an opening-day win.
Supporters launched into a round of applause on the 32nd minute to pay tribute to former Hong Kong Footballer of the Year Krisztian Vadocz. The Hungary international, who helped power Kitchee to the 2017-18 title, is leaving the club.
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