China's Ji Xiang scores their first goal in the win over Hong Kong at the EAFF E-1 Finals in Busan, South Korea. Photo: Reuters China's Ji Xiang scores their first goal in the win over Hong Kong at the EAFF E-1 Finals in Busan, South Korea. Photo: Reuters
China's Ji Xiang scores their first goal in the win over Hong Kong at the EAFF E-1 Finals in Busan, South Korea. Photo: Reuters
Jonathan White
Opinion

Opinion

The East Stand by Jonathan White

Covid-19 has cost Hong Kong football a year it could not afford to lose

  • How football bounces back from coronavirus pandemic is biggest question local game has faced in recent years
  • Mixu Paatelainen’s side slip down Fifa rankings while Li Tie’s China rise despite both teams not playing for 12 months

Jonathan White
Jonathan White

Updated: 8:00am, 21 Dec, 2020

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China's Ji Xiang scores their first goal in the win over Hong Kong at the EAFF E-1 Finals in Busan, South Korea. Photo: Reuters China's Ji Xiang scores their first goal in the win over Hong Kong at the EAFF E-1 Finals in Busan, South Korea. Photo: Reuters
China's Ji Xiang scores their first goal in the win over Hong Kong at the EAFF E-1 Finals in Busan, South Korea. Photo: Reuters
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Jonathan White

Jonathan White

Jonathan White joined the Post in 2017 after a decade reporting on sport from China. He originally moved to Beijing to coach football in 2007 and later spent two years in Shanghai.