The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Four titles to be decided in three weeks as Hong Kong Premier League reboots unfinished season decimated by pandemic

Six teams out of original 10 will compete for honours and an AFC Champions League spot

Eastern to take on Kitchee on Saturday to set the tone for competitive campaign after a six-month suspension

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Diego Moreira is challenged by teammate Joao Pereira during practise as Eastern Long Lions prepares the crucial reopening Premier League tie against rivals Kitchee. Photo: Handout

Published: 5:00pm, 18 Sep 2020Updated: 10:49pm, 18 Sep 2020

Four titles including the Hong Kong Premier League championship will be decided in three weeks when six teams contest the remainder of the season after months of uncertainty due to the pandemic situation.

Kitchee and Eastern Long Lions will kick-off the fast track campaign at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground on Saturday after a six-month suspension while R&F and Kwoon Chung Southern will meet at the same venue the following day. Lee Man will take on Happy Valley at Hong Kong Stadium on Monday completing the first round of fixtures.

Four other Premier League sides including Tai Po, Yuen Long, Pegasus and Rangers, chose not to continue but will reappear in the new season, along with newly promoted Resources Capital from the First Division. The 2020/21 season is planned to launch on October 24, just two weeks after completion of the current campaign.

Forward Everton Camargo shows great form in training before Eastern take on Kitchee in the Premier League reopening. Photo: Handout

The Football Association will suspend promotion and relegation this season because of the interruption brought about by the pandemic. The league was suspended twice since early this year, with the last pause taking place in March.

R&F, Lee Man and Kitchee all have 10 points on the board in the league table after results against the four sides that preferred not to continue were discarded, but the Guangzhou-based club remains on top with a better record against their fellow clubs.