Hong Kong Premier League: Lee Man hope Covid-19 quarantine won’t dent their title challenge
- Chan Hiu-ming’s side has just completed 14 days isolation after returning from AFC Cup in Uzbekistan
- Lee Man had been scheduled to play Hong Kong Under-23s in the Sapling Cup on Sunday, but that has now been postponed
Following their defeat in the AFC Cup semi-finals at the hands of Nasaf in Uzbekistan late last month, the premier league side have had to isolate before returning to domestic competition.
“It’s just like the preseason when players get together after a long break,” Chan Hiu-ming, the Lee Man coach, said. “They have to pick up again, physically and mentally, although it was only 14 days in isolation.
“Under the attack of Covid-19 pandemic over the past two years, there have been many studies about the risk of injuries when players get back to play after being quarantined. We must treat it with great caution.”
While half of the eight top-flight clubs have already played three matches this season, Chan’s team, who finished third in the league last year, have yet to kick-off their campaign because of their cup commitments.
Their first match against Hong Kong Under-23s in the Sapling Cup on Sunday has also been postponed, and their first league match against defending champions Kitchee, on November 21, could also be rearranged.