South China and Eastern District set to meet in League Cup as Hong Kong football returns
- The 3 divisions below Premier League begin League Cup campaigns in first competitive action since sports venues were closed in January over Covid-19
- Former Hong Kong national team captain Chan Wai-ho set to play for Eastern District alongside former international colleagues Chan Siu-ki and Man Pei-tak
Hong Kong football is ready to start making up for lost time, but Eastern District centre-back Chan Wai-ho will also turn back the clock as he faces his old side South China on Sunday.
The resumption begins with a knockout competition for each of the three divisions below the Premier League. The top-flight season was abandoned after the government shut down sports facilities, and its clubs will not join the fray.
But with social distancing measures having been eased sufficiently to stage fixtures, former Hong Kong national team captain Chan and his teammates will begin their First Division League Cup group stage campaign just happy to be back in action.
“It feels like we have gone through a long summer [between seasons] before returning,” said the 40-year-old Chan. “But the difference is we won’t take the match result seriously. After all, the First Division is an amateur league and for me it is more like an opportunity to meet some good old friends and chat about the old days.”
Chan wound down his professional career in 2020 when he quit Premier League side Pegasus, so he has not trained much for the resumption.
“But the First Division is not as demanding as the Premier League and my vast experience at the top level should give me enough to handle the match,” he said.
Joining Chan in the Eastern District team are two former Hong Kong team colleagues, in striker Chan Siu-ki and defender Man Pei-tak. “I hope we can bring the fans some good memories of the best Hong Kong football,” he said.