Brazil-bound Anilton’s place in Hong Kong football secure as World Cup clashes with China leave lasting memories
- Anilton had landed his first contract in Hong Kong in 1997 when he was in transit after a failed tryout in mainland China
- His biggest successes came with South China and the Hong Kong international team, working alongside Kim Pan-gon
Just as deeply involved as analysis coach, designing the master plan for the players to commit everything to, was Anilton da Conceicao – a native of Brazil but, 25 years after arriving in the city, a stalwart of Hong Kong football.
There are unsung heroes behind every success, and former Sao Paulo winger Anilton has become one of those, moving from playing into coaching and missionary work.
Now, though, the 54-year-old is calling time on his Hong Kong years to return to Brazil this month.
“I never thought I would leave Hong Kong one day,” said Anilton, who first arrived in 1997 to play for the now defunct Golden.
“I have a stable life here after all these years, doing what I love to do, and my two children were also brought up here.
“But unfortunately my wife’s parents need someone to take care of them back home, and my wife is their only child. We are the only ones they can rely upon.”
After a decade with Brazilian First Division side Sao Paulo between 1985 and 1995, Anilton played in the lower divisions before he was invited for a tryout in China, at a time when mainland Chinese clubs were beginning to recruit from overseas.
It worked out well, but not quite in the way intended.
“I did not get a contract in Guangzhou, and was in transit through Hong Kong on my way home,” he said. “Then someone contacted me saying a local club was looking for some foreign players and wanted to know if I would be interested. I said, ‘Why not?’ It was Golden, and they signed me after a trial.”
Anilton made an immediate impression for his new club, scoring in a preseason friendly against a League XI. The latter promptly added him to their squad, who were preparing for a season opener against champions South China.
The newcomer then scored again in his first official game in Hong Kong, and the foundations of his long connection with the city had been laid.
Anilton’s working relationship with South Korean coach Kim began in the early 2000s when they worked together as player-coaches with BC Rangers.
“We are both Christian, and knew each other when playing in Hong Kong through Christian fellowship gatherings,” he said. “When Kim was looking for a club after playing for Instant-Dict and Double Flower, I invited him to join Rangers as a player-coach, and became his assistant. After he left, I took up his role.”
Anilton ran his own football school after leaving Rangers, but when Kim returned to Hong Kong in 2008 to become South China’s head coach, the Brazilian rejoined his old ally as assistant. And it didn’t take too long before the combination worked wonders.
In 2009, South China reached the semi-finals of the regional AFC Cup competition before losing to Al-Kuwait 3-1 on aggregate.
The second leg at Hong Kong Stadium attracted 38,000 enthusiastic fans – the highest attendance in the competition that year. The home side knew they could get through to the final with a 1-0 win, after scoring an away goal in their 2-1 defeat in Kuwait. They were unable to do it, losing 1-0.
“Despite the defeat, we left a strong impression,” Anilton said. “We showed the region that South China were a force to be reckoned with in the continent.”
“People might think the boss was crazy because of his pushing and the growing demands on us, but he did pay you good money and built up a good environment to help you reach a higher level. The team were always under pressure, but that is how you improve.
“Whether you liked Lo or not, you don’t see club bosses like him these days.”
That clubs from Hong Kong are no longer as competitive in the region is a matter of regret for Anilton.
“Most of the teams when I first came here are no longer competing in the top flight, such as Golden, Sing Tao, Instant-Dict and Happy Valley,” he said.
“But what is really sad is South China deciding to play in the second tier. They are the ones with their own stadium and a glorious history in Hong Kong football. They also have the biggest fan base in Hong Kong, but they are not seen in the Premier League.
Kim and Anilton, meanwhile, translated some of their club success to international level.
No sooner had Kim been appointed head coach of the Hong Kong representative team in 2012 than he recruited Anilton as his analysis coach. It was a job the Brazilian held until this summer, when he made his decision to leave for good.
The two World Cup qualifiers against China in 2015 proved to be the highlights of Anilton’s coaching career.
Hong Kong forced a goalless draw in both the home and away matches against their “big brother” from the mainland, severely denting China’s hopes of qualifying.
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“China were much stronger on paper, but their attack was straightforward, without variety,” Anilton said. “We did a lot of research on it before the matches.
“And more importantly, the Hong Kong team were playing with one heart, from the head coach to the players to the fans.
“The home leg at Mong Kok was marvellous after we held them in Shenzhen two months earlier. They came here with a strong determination to get revenge, but in the end it was an unforgettable match for Hong Kong.”
The man quietly plotting behind those jubilant scenes will certainly not be forgotten.