(FM'16) - Far, Far East of Wales

[neilhoskins77]

Football Manager can allow you to immerse yourself and take yourself around the world to manage any club you like from the comfort of your sofa, should you have the time. For me, the opportunity to enhance the game with expansion Leagues, logo and kit packs etc, have added an element of realism that I crave from a game. For me, the ability to land almost anywhere in the World in this game is a positive that outweighs any negative of using the packs. From time to time, things can go wrong with them, and in instances like the demise of 'The Fixer', it can be frustrating. But this is my chosen way of playing the game, and I'll carry on with that regardless.

With new expansion packs in place, this save contains four nations from Africa, half a dozen from North America, and eight from South America. There is representation from Oceania in the form of New Zealand, and there are then 30 plus nations from Europe, which is focussed primarily on the major nations, Scandinavian countries and then the eastern countries, particularly those that emerged from the old Soviet Union. The reason for that, is this save will start in Asia, a continent where few saves on this area of the Boards journey. There are over thirty Asian nations active in this game, and with that decision made, I let the game take charge of where to send me. I allowed the game to randomly select clubs until it gave me one from Asia, the first would become my start point. It actually sent me to the only Asian nation that I have managed a club in before (from memory). Enjoy, comments and feedback are welcome as always.

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Saturday 1st August 2015.
Sai Kung Town, Sai Kung District, Hong Kong.

One minute, I was sat in my rented flat in South Wales. The next, I was on an economy class flight to Hong Kong via Amsterdam. It was economy class because I was paying for it myself, and also because it would stand me in good stead for what was about to become my new job. Where I was heading, watching the pennies would be a phrase that would assume there were some pennies to watch! Sai Kung District is the second largest in Hong Kong, made up of around 70 islands, plus an area on the east of the mainland, which includes a large Country Park. It's an area of the New Territories that is on the up, with a young population.

How did I end up on the way here? A friend of a friend is a goalkeeper, and he has been out here for a few years now. In a place as small as Hong Kong, you get to know people. He had heard of the plight of Chow Kin Wai, the Chairman of a football club who he had played against on and off over the years. He contacted him, and let him know about this out of work manager in Wales who was looking for a break, and had been moderately successful in the local football scene. He wasn't going to get Jose Mourinho by any means, but he was going to get an affordable manager who could run his club, and maybe even bring a degree of success that they hadn't managed since the early days of their 22 year existence.

As interviews go, I can't pretend it was the toughest I've ever had. I can see why the club has no money from the basis of that phone call alone. $2150HK a week, and free rent in an apartment near the stadium. I didn't negotiate with the poor fella, he clearly wasn't financially savvy. With the value of the rent taken into account, he was paying me about £1,500 a month in UK Sterling, considerably more than I'd get for this level of football back home. The busiest part of the job would be the six weeks between getting there, and the domestic season beginning. The club have no players, and no staff. The main issue with that as far as I could see, apart from the obvious, was that it gave me no indication of the level of player I would need to aim for. Already, this job was giving me the feeling of being thrown in at the deep end.

The club that needed to be built from scratch in time for the new season was Sai Kung Friends FC. I'm not sure where the 'Friends' part comes from, I'm guessing it has something to do with our cross town rivals Sai Kung FC taking the more normal name for themselves. In the grand scheme of football in Hong Kong, the name wasn't that strange, and that's coming from someone who had been around the names some of the clubs back in Wales had ended up with. Our rivals across the town were a division above us in the Second Division, which is actually the third tier. We'd be playing in Division Three for 2015/16, a sixteen club League where the top two would be promoted. This level is the highest in the domestic League that doesn't have a restriction for Foreign players, we can sign and play whoever we like. That could be very helpful given the time restraints on building the squad on backroom staff. We'd play our home matches at the 1,500 capacity all seater Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground. We're the only Senior side to play here, the older brother club play at the larger Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. As stadiums, or sports grounds as they are known here more commonly, it looks like pretty much every other ground here. Surrounded by high rises, an athletics track around the playing surface, and a very average pitch. See for yourself, you can even see my apartment too.....[/font]

http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/common/images/photo/facilities/WTS/Photo_Hammer%20Hill%20Road%20Sports%20Ground_2.jpg

Chow Kin Wai had one last surprise for me on the day of my arrival. He announced I had no time for jet lag, the first pre season game was scheduled for tonight, as had a handful of tickets had been sold, he didn't see the sense in postponing the fixture. Clearly this guy wasn't that financially naïve after all, though he appeared to be overlooking the minor issue of us having no players. I don't wish to say I was forming an opinion of my new employer, but I was surprised when he told me that he had sorted that particular problem out. He had cobbled together a group of lads that would represent the club that evening, all on a non contract basis. They would effectively be on trial for the night. It was actually a pretty smart move.

The visitors were a club from an Amateur Non-League Division. In front of a crowd of 63 souls, who would have every right to be furious if money had changed hands for their entrance. I got the players lined up in a fairly basic wide 4-3-2-1, and we had the majority of the ball against Boca Seniors. Defensively, we were pretty abject though, and it was a miracle that we kept them out after they created no fewer than ten decent chances, but finished woefully. A 0-0 draw that the local paper described on their various social media platforms as 'concerning'. For that, they actually received some criticism from fans, some of whom had been at the game, and some who may possibly have watched from their apartment windows. In amongst the now ridiculous tiredness and blurred mind of the day, I did pick out a trio of players who I felt would be able to help us out. It had been a hell of a day, and I had a feeling I'd have to get used to that over the coming weeks.

[neilhoskins77]

August 2015 (cont).

20 year old local left back, So Siu Ki, was particularly impressive against Boca Seniors, showing his attacking prowess with several raids forward, and picked up the man of the match award. Also impressing were 20 year old centre midfielder Tso Yu Hei, and 19 year old ball winner, Luk Hok Man. The trio all signed semi-professional 'contracts' with the club. I use the word 'contract's' pretty loosely, as the players are not getting paid a wage as such. There is a wage budget, which is around £1.8k per week, but the players are paid appearance fees that count against the wage budget. To someone walking into the club, it made very little sense, and even looking a bit underhand. I decided not to ask, and while my wages were hitting the account, I would just get on with the job.

On Sunday, I started getting things done. A press conference was first on the agenda, with just one solitary reporter showing up to ask questions. The standard questions saw me tell the rather lonely looking media man that I wasn't concerned about not being able to speak Cantonese, that my previous experience at lower level football could well be important here, and that there was no danger of the staff losing their jobs, as there was no-one to sack to start with. I asked one of my newly signed young players if they could recommend any staff, and he gave me the name of a guy who could potentially be a Head of Youth Development. As for other staff positions, adverts were placed, and we would need to see what kind of calibre of candidates they would bring forward. By Sunday evening, the HoYD was signed and would start his role on Monday morning. This would be 40 year old Lee Tsz Fung's first role in football, his £30 a week wage very much reflected that.

By Monday, we had two more players added to the ranks, and they would be the first of what would eventually be a fairly large foreign contingent. 25 year old Swedish striker, Ethan Hallberg, was first in the door. He has spent all of his football career in Hong Kong, and except for one game, he has played at a lower level than this. The one game at a higher level was a few years ago for then Second Division club, Hong Kong Football Club. He joins us from them on a Free Transfer, and has a very good goalscoring record. At £100 an appearance, he is earning a lot more money than the local players. The second player was not a surprise, as the Welsh goalkeeper who had put in the word to get me this job jumped ship from First Division side, Lucky Mile on a Free Transfer. Lee Brown is now 43 years old, but is a very competent keeper with high fitness levels He wasn't getting a game at his old club, but is likely to be first choice here, and will earn £85 a match.

Tuesday arrived, and two more signed for the club as the player recruitment started to get into full swing with another match approaching on Saturday. In comes 26 year old Russian midfielder, Sascha Palatnikov. A very gifted passer of a football with good vision and a high work rate, his previous club was also Lucky Mile, who he played at this level for the season before last. Palatnikov instantly becomes the new highest earner at the club at £110 per match, however, he won't be picking up any of that money for a few months yet, as he is currently serving a two year ban, that expires in January. I was aware of that when I signed him, I just consider the 5'4 playmaker too good not to get into the club. Also arriving on this day is 33 year old striker, Ho Chi Wing. He's a very experienced player in these Leagues, and has also earned three Senior caps for the Hong Kong National side, though it was getting on for fifteen years ago now. He has played most of his career in the second and third tiers, so will hope be amongst the goals in this fourth tier. His £45 per match contract again highlights the difference between how much the foreign players earn in comparison to the local guys. The club is sent a fax to say that a Trial Match will be held this coming Friday for players looking for clubs. I had to get the fax myself, it's getting pretty lonely in the offices at the stadium. The Trial Match is good news, but there are a few players on show that I had already cast my eye over, and now risk getting beaten to.

Wednesday would surpass itself in terms of signings, with no fewer than four more new players signing their contracts to play for us in 2015/16, two more foreign players, and two more locals. 24 year old English centre back, Chris Barnett, is a much needed arrival for our defence. The 6'1 stopper is also a Hong Kong National, which is great, though he isn't paid like a local, as he becomes the joint top earner at £110 per match. He's another who had played his football with Lucky Mile. Joining him in the defence will be a player that will now affectionately be known by his team mates as 'old man'. And with good reason to, as right back, and holder of five Hong Kong International caps, Mark Grainger, will turn 50 years of age next March. Ok, I realise it sounds ridiculous that I've signed him, and I will admit that I was hoping he would agree to become part of our backroom staff as well. But Mark isn't ready to hang up the boots just yet, and is still in great condition considering he made his International debut nearly 20 years ago. The third signing of the day, and completing a trio of defenders, is comparative spring chicken, 32 year old Lai Ka Fai. He's your typical 'utility player', who can play anywhere across the back four, or on either wing, but operates best as a full back. He is also an International, though his one appearance was back in 2006. A very experienced player who spent last season with Premier League club, Rangers (HKG), he also joins our two top earners on £110 a match, bucking the trend set so far for local players wages. Finally through the door on this day is 22 year old centre midfielder, Shaun Melwani. He was born in Hong Kong, but is a declared national of Iran, who is also qualified for India as well. He says he has joined us to learn, but he could teach some people a thing or two about passing, which is his overwhelming quality. He is certainly a confident and cheeky lad, he'd been here all of twenty minutes when he asked me if I'd consider signing his older brother Gianni! At £120 a match, Shaun is the new highest earner at the club.

In comparison to the madness of earlier in the week, Thursday and Friday would be much calmer days, with just one more new face arriving to join in the training sessions before the next game of our schedule for pre-season on Saturday. That would be Thursday's arrival of 19 year old right winger, Zanskar Blair. A quick winger with no little amount of flair, the teenager was born here in Hong Kong, but is also a Northern Ireland national. He's still waiting to make his Senior bow after spending some years with Premier League club Kitchee Sports Club, but never making it into their First Team. He is expected to be a big player for us, that's the hope at least anyway, as he joins Shaun Melwani as our joint top earner. These wages are creeping up and up, and we still have some pretty big gaps to fill yet.

All of our new players, with the exception of Sascha Palatnikov, went straight into the squad for our second pre-season friendly. Our visitors for this one come from the same level as last weekend. Don't ask me how HK816 FC got their name. Lai Ka Fai pairs up with Chris Barnett at centre back to address one of the holes left in our lineup. There's nothing I can do about the other hole on the left wing at this point, so there is a grey trialist playing there. In the only position where we have a spare player, Ethan Hallberg gets the nod to start up front, with Ho Chi Wing on the bench. Four minutes in, and Lee Brown pulled off an outstanding point blank save after a cross from the right picked out Lee Chun Him on the edge of the six yard box. The reprieve was brief, and in the 20th minute we fell behind. So Siu Ki showed his inexperience as Lee Tsun Wai got past him far too easily, and picked out Wong Ka Shing in the right channel. He floated the ball across goal, and Hon Wai Kin fired low inside the near post.

The lads got an angry half time team talk, and were told to sort themselves out in the second half. We switched to two players in the middle of the park, and a shadow striker behind Hallberg, a 4-2-3-1. It was young midfielder Tso Yu Hei who made way, with Zanskar Blair moving into the middle, and grey right winger Chau Chun Hung coming on. The change paid an immediate reward, and ninety seconds into the second half, we were level. Our newly introduced right winger sent a short pass to old man Mark Grainger, and the full back sent a deep cross into the centre. The ball bounced through a forest of legs, and found it's way to the far post, where grey left winger Pui Pak Long was on hand fire home with an almost identical effort to HK816's earlier. That change had galvanised us, and a minute later, Hallberg had the ball in the net, but was flagged for offside. On the hour, Lai Ka Fai headed against the post from a Blair corner kick. Moments later, Chau Chun Hung was played in by Shaun Melwani, and shot across the face of goal, but his effort bounced back off the base of the post, Pui Pak Long's claims he was tripped while trying to reach the rebound were waved away. With around 20 minutes to go, I made some changes, keen to ease players into full fitness. That brought about a period of pressure from our visitors, and it was concerning to see three defenders all pick up bookings, Chris Barnett the only member of the back four to avoid a card. It was a second successive draw, but we had learnt a lot from that one than we had from last weeks fixture.

[neilhoskins77]

August 2015 (cont).

We've another week now before our third match of a four game pre season schedule. The next match represents a step up, though not a large one by any means. It was a sure thing that the next seven days at Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground would not be as hectic as the last seven had been. That said, there was still plenty to do, and it didn't start very well, as two centre backs I was interested in acquiring eluded us. A defender from Nigeria snubbed us to join Second Division club Happy Valley instead. An English centre back who I had earmarked as a potential back four partner for Chris Barnett has suffered a double hernia in training, and is now out of action for two months. We also got knocked back by two left wingers who I was chasing, one Japanese, and one English. Both had decided to stay with their current clubs. We also failed to persuade an Irish goalkeeper to join us and challenge Lee Brown for the number one spot. Instead, he signed for one of our Division rivals, Hong Kong Telecom. After last weeks deluge of signings, not one single player signed on the dotted line to join us before our next match.

Greatfield provided our next opposition, they play one step up from both Boca Seniors and HK816, though they do have the fortune of playing in the very aesthetically pleasing Meong Kok Stadium. They do have to share those facilities with nearly 40 other Senior clubs though, and the Senior National team play there on occasion as well. They would be visiting our rather less glamorous stadium today, though we will have plenty of chances to play at their ground, as several future opponents in Division Three also call that stadium their home. The side lined up in the same formation and personnel as they did at the start of the second half last time out, which meant Zanskar Blair coming off the wing to play in the shadow striker role, with grey winger Chau Chun Hung starting on the right wing. Tso Yu Hei started the match on the bench.

This was a much improved performance, and another week of training together as a team had clearly done some good. Not least at set pieces, where we took the lead in the 16th minute. An outswinging corner from left back So Siu Ki was met at the near post by centre back Lai Fa Kai, who managed to direct his downward header between the keeper and the defender on the post. Pui Pak Long continued in his role on the left wing, and showed he could be worth a contract as he continually caused problems for the Greatfields defence, skipping away from challenges, and the visitors were resorting to fouling him. Just after the hour mark I brought on Tso Yu Hei and Ho Chi Wing from the bench to get both players some game time, and they were joined by grey left winger Au Ping On. I made three more changes in the 82nd minute, so we had four grey players on the park when we secured the win in the 90th minute. So Siu Ki made a good run from the left, and found Au Ping On. He couldn't find the space to shoot, so squared instead for Ho Chi Wing. He was tackled as he was about to shoot, but the ball went nowhere, and right wing substitute Chau Chi Ho calmly slotted it low into the bottom corner. So Siu Ki earned his second man of the match award in three matches with an assist and a hand in the second goal.

I don't know if the two players who returned signed contracts on Saturday evening did so after watching the game, or if they intended to sign anyway. Either was absolutely fine. Toby Down is a 21 year old attacking midfielder who can also play centre midfield and striker. For this club, at this level, he is a superb signing, and we had to beat quite a few other clubs to his signature after he impressed in the Trial Match. We're paying him just £45 a match too. Also arriving is 20 year old Chinese left back, Hu Ze'an. He is also a Hong Kong National, and played one level lower than this last season. He is going to face a challenge to move So Siu Ki out of the left back spot, it will be interesting to watch those two compete for the spot. Ze'an is attack minded, and is arguably better going forward than he is at defending, so we'll have him working hard at the defensive aspect of his play. He's picking up just £30 a match.

Sunday was spent trawling through the list of applicants following our advertisements for roles in the backroom staff, particularly the positions of First Team Coach, Assistant Manager, Head Scout and Head Physio. All had received an average response, though I had around half a dozen applicants for each position to consider. The leading candidate for the Coach job was very happy with the contract we offered him, but a day later he was offered a Manager's job elsewhere. We now had about as much chance of getting him into the club as we did of getting the Japanese left winger, who had said no to us for a second time. The first backroom staff member to accept a role with us signed up on Monday, as 37 year old Poon Kin Chung became a Scout for us. He immediately files reports on some players he has already scouted, including a 5'5 centre back, that I not surprisingly passed up on the opportunity to sign.

Tuesday saw the arrival of the second backroom staff member, as 31 year old Lui Wai Chun became the clubs First Team Coach. He was the second choice for the role, but is not a bad guy to have around, proficient in coaching both Attack and Defence, he is only let down by his Fitness coaching. He is a 'National B Licence' holder, and the club immediately pay for him to be sent on a course to attempt to improve that to an 'A Licence'. Neither Monday or Tuesday had been a good day for player recruitment unfortunately, but Wednesday saw an improvement in that, as our new Scout's top recommendation signed for the club. He is 23 year old right winger, Lai Ming Lai. He isn't quite as quick as I'd like my wingers to be, but he can send a good cross over, and has an eye for goal himself too, with a strike rate that a lot of strikers would be proud of, averaging nearly a goal every other game. He has played at this level before as well, which is always a good bonus. He will collect £55 per appearance. Collecting less money than that will be our new Assistant Manager. It was good to get this important role sorted out, and it's To Wing Hang who gets the gig. This will be the 33 year olds first job in football, he is particularly strong at working with young players, and is also a bit of a stickler for discipline. We still had four days before our final pre season friendly on Monday evening, and there was still work to do.

[neilhoskins77]

August 2015 (cont).

Bad news would arrive on Saturday, as we missed out on our top target. A 19 year old midfielder from Hong Kong who is also a French National had made the decision that his football future would be brighter in France. I suppose you can see why he made that call, though he is playing in the fifth tier and being paid approximately half of what we were offering him. We did manage to get a Head Physio on board, 41 year old Tso Hiu Cheong, who was the outstanding candidate to apply for the job. I was hoping he would be under worked, as all indications were that we would be carrying a fairly small squad into the season.

On Monday, in the hours leading up to our final pre season game, we managed to add two more to the squad. So Chun Ting is a Brazilian. No, honestly, he really is! He was born and raised in Hong Kong to a Brazilian family, and the 18 year old has a lot of growing to do, mostly in height, as he is just 5'3 tall. What he does have is a very good left foot, a superb work ethic, and is a team player. He had a decent season at this level in the last campaign after failing to make the grade with a First Division club, the winger will be paid £60 a match. He is joined by someone who also speaks fluent Portuguese, a much needed centre midfielder, in the form of 20 year old John Benedict Pereira. Much like his new Brazilian team mate, Pereira was born in Hong Kong, but his family hail from Portugal, and he also speaks fluent English and Cantonese. A great passer, he is also a player with a great first touch, which helps him create some room for himself and his team mates. He'll be looking to make his Senior bow after failing to make the grade with two clubs already. He'll particularly be looking to impress when we come up against Islands District in the League, as they didn't give an opportunity last season.

We did miss out on an Italian full back we'd been tracking, who has gone back to his native country after a year and a half in Hong Kong. At this point, a decision needs to be made on who will be the Captain and Vice Captain of the club for this season. Goalkeeper Lee Brown is handed the Captain's armband, he is one of the most experienced members of the squad, with both Mark Grainger and Ho Chi Wing both also in contention. In the end, they were both overlooked for the Vice Captain role as well, with that job given to Lai Ka Fai, as I try to get players who are likely to play most weeks in the important roles. Speaking of playing, we were now all set for our last warm up game, and our toughest test so far. Our visitors would be Kwong Wah Athletic & Recreation Association, a club who compete one step up the ladder in the Second Division, where they finished 6th last season. With new players available, the only grey in todays match day squad would be the back up goalkeeper. Our bench had just six players on it, while our more illustrious visitors brought a full squad across to Sai Kung District. There was one change in our back four, as Hu Ze'an had a chance to show what he could do at left back, Lai Ka Fai remaining at centre back with a lack of any arrivals there during the week. In midfield, John Benedict Pereira would partner Luk Hok Man, which meant places on the bench for Shaun Melwani and Tso Yu Hei. There was a return to the right wing for Zanskar Blair, allowing Toby Down to make his debut in the shadow striker role, while there was also a first start on the left for So Chun Ting. That meant that Lai Ming Lai would also be on the bench, and have to wait for his chance to show what he could do.

For the first time, we were playing in the rain, and when it rains here, it really does rain. We had a lot of the ball in the first half, but did very little with it attacking wise. And ten minutes before the break we would be picked open by a set piece. Tam Kin Wa took a free kick from the right edge of the box, and sent it towards the far post, where no one had picked up Wong Lit Ken, and he side footed his shot beyond Lee Brown fairly easily. Brown showed he was the right choice for Captain, loudly chastising his defence for their poor marking. Certainly it was something we would need to work on in training. The players were soaked and muddy when they got to the dressing room at half time, and were told that this was now a test of their mental toughness, and I wanted to see that they could keep their heads up and get back in the game. Pereira was brought off, the midfielder is badly lacking in match fitness, and Tso Yu Hei came on. He made an immediate impact, lifting a ball from midfield over the defensive line and into the right channel for Zanskar Blair to chase. The wide man cut back inside his marker, and squared the ball across goal towards Ethan Hallberg near the penalty spot. That turned out to be a coincidence, as Chan Hoi Man held his shirt, preventing the Swedish striker from shooting, and the ref gave a penalty. Hallberg took the penalty himself, and showed good confidence, not only sending the keeper the wrong way, but finding the top corner in the process, bringing us level within a minute of the restart.

The rain was causing problems as the second half progressed, and Lee Brown couldn't hold on to an effort from outside the box by Yau Ping Kai. Not only that, but the conditions made getting back to his feet tough too, and he needed Chris Barnett to get there before the fast arriving Tse Pak Hung and thump the ball clear. As the hour mark approached, Shaun Melwani came on to replace Luk Hok Man in the midfield, and Lai Ming Lai would get his chance to stake his claim on the right wing, replacing Zanskar Blair. We were passing the ball around very well, and started to look capable of picking our opponents open. Tso Yu Hui played a through ball for Hallberg, and the striker hit a right footed shot that Wun Tsz Hong managed to get enough of a hand on to turn around the post. Two late changes saw some match time for So Siu Ki at left back, and Ho Chi Wing up front. Mark Grainger worried me on occasions in this game, often showing that when someone beats him for pace, he is prone to then fouling them. That aside, we did a great job in coming back to get on level terms, and ended the match with 63% possession.

The changing rooms were a positive place after that second half, and upstairs in one of the not particularly luxurious suite's, a new signing was being finalised, 25 year old left winger Lai Kwok Kwan would pick up £35 a match, though he would need to get past So Chun Ting in the pecking order to earn that money. He has played well at this level, helping Kwai Tsing District get two promotions in three seasons. The depth of wide men available to us was bolstered with the awarding of contracts to grey's who had featured, for us in pre season. Both Pui Pak Long and Chau Chun Hung had proved they had something to offer, and the 20 year olds were signed up. They were expected to play mostly for the Reserves, and would provide cover for the First Team. Pre season is now done, and we have 19 days before our first match of the domestic calendar at home to Fukien Athletic Club, who were promotion contenders last season.

Lucky Mile were out for revenge as we'd taken several players from their ranks. The First Division club offered a contract to Lai Fa Kai. The defender was quick to tell us he had an offer to move up the League's. I told him I couldn't offer him any more appearance money, but I'd add a bit more for each clean sheet he was part of. He said he wasn't particularly interested in moving on so soon, and accepted the offer to stay. We got some cover in for Toby Down at the attacking midfield position too, as 28 year old Shaan Nanik joins us. Hong Kong and India eligible, the 6-footer is cheap at £30 a game, and can cover as a striker as well. Nanik was acquired from Kowloon Cricket Club in our Division, and in the press conference for his arrival, I was asked if I would be comfortable working under a Director of Football, a situation that KCC manager Woo Chun Fai has had forced upon himself. I also made it clear that I didn't necessarily think KCC were going about things in the wrong way, it just wasn't my preferred method, I would rather have control over recruitment and contracts etc myself. Their Manager didn't take it personally, which was understanding of him.

As the end of the month approached, it was reiterated to me what the objectives would be for this season. They were very modest, Chow Kin Wai wants us to win a few games, and not embarrass ourselves. I told him that I had much bigger ambitions than that, and produced him a copy of the odds for promotion from the Hong Kong Third Division this season, from 138.com. They had about as much faith in us this season as the Chairman seemingly did, predicting we'd be involved in a shoot out for last place with the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups. They had as both at an eye watering 5000/1 to get promoted! This club is debt free, apart from being £510 overdrawn with the bank. 'Put £100 on it!' I told the Chairman. 'Take it out of my wages if you have to, but I'm telling you, we won't be bottom! I can't promise you that we'll be in the top two, but if we can get ourselves up there, imagine what we could do to this club with half a million in the bank!'

[neilhoskins77]

September 2015.

He went for it, and placed the bet. And he took it out of my wages as well! Not that I minded too much, as this would be an extra incentive to get this club firing. I believed the bookies and media were miles out with their predictions, probably basing our prospects on last season's performances. I don't think anyone could deny we would be a much better side this season after our recruitment drive through August. Now we just had to make everyone sit up and take notice of us on the park. I wouldn't tell the players about the bet, I didn't want to heap pressure onto them.....or pay them a higher bonus if we did manage to finish in the top two.

The Board wanted a Chief Scout brought in, and I duly obliged by bringing in 37 year old unfortunately named, Law Man Ho. He wasn't too involved in the next two players I made targets though, a pair of young players who I was hoping would take an opportunity to try and force their way into our First Team. An offer for a teenage centre back made it a trio of young players now sitting on contract offers from us, and the first to accept was 19 year old Kwan Chak Fai. The 6'2 centre back hadn't made the grade with Rangers (HKG) of the Premier Division, and would now try working his way up the League's instead. We would pay him a bargain £25 a match, and I was sure he'd see game time, despite being a bit raw around the edges. Another 19 year old quickly joined up, as our search for a goalkeeper to play back up to Lee Brown finally ended. Wan Chi Pan is actually a fairly competent looking goalie in his own right, though our backroom team say he could do with some development work before he would be a contender for regular football. He did play a couple of games in the Fourth Division last season for Islands District, so he isn't a complete rookie. I tried to bring in a 24 year old Chinese right back from Islands as well, but he decided to stay put.

The new Chief Scout came up trumps quickly, and unearthed a 17 year old striker who he thinks has a big future in the game. I tried to sign him immediately, but couldn't get him to agree terms with us. Not wanting to let the matter drop there, I sent the Assistant Manager to speak to the lad, but he failed to reach agreement too. We elected to wait a while before going in again, though we were present to watch him play when Hong Kong Under-20's beat Bangladesh 2-0 at the Meong Kok Stadium. He got the second goal in that win, and looked impressive. He plays in our Division, and is getting paid nothing, and I'm surprised how difficult it is to try and entice him to our club. If he does come to us, he'll have another 17 year striker to compete with, as we sign Siu Ka Ming on loan from Premier League club South China for the season. He didn't make his debut during his first season as a Senior footballer, and he is anxious to impress the fans who are delighted with the calibre of player we're attracting right now. Better yet, we're not paying a penny for the loan either.

It wasn't quite going all our way, we missed out on an English midfielder, and a local teenage centre back who our Scouts rated highly. We also had the very successful Happy Valley club attempting to take veteran right back Mark Grainger from us. It would be interesting to see if Grainger is tempted to play his football at a higher level in what must surely now be the twilight of his career. The 49 year old full back doesn't get a mention in the Hong Kong Football Gazette when they preview our season in their weekly publishment, picking out Toby Down and Lai Ka Wai as the players most key to any success we may achieve. Maybe he felt he had more to prove to them than anybody else, as he announced he was rejecting the offer to move, and committed to staying with us at Sai Kung Friends. We manage to bring in another centre back for cover, 24 year old Li Ling Him signing for us. 25 year old centre midfielder Or Kwok Fai has also joined the club in a similar role.

It was around this time that I somehow became one of the front runners for the job as Manager of Japan Under-23's. Word was that the United Arab Emirates were also interested, though they denied that pretty quickly. The Japanese made no such denial though, and where quoted as saying that they were yet to decide who they would select as the new Manager of their age group side that would play in the bi-annual Under-23's Asian Cup, which had won all three of their Qualifying matches. When asked about it by the media, I told them I would certainly be interested to hear what they had to say should they wish to speak to me, but I couldn't say anymore than that at this point. We had our first game of the season just days away, and that would be taking all my attention. Other clubs clearly had not yet finished their recruitment, as both Lai Ka Fai and Toby Down were the subject of contract offers from other clubs. Ka Fai turned down an offer to move to First Division club Tai Chung. Our own Division rivals, North District made Down an offer that he was taking a little longer to consider.

Friday brought the season opener, with a late goal from Islands District not enough to stop them falling to a home defeat against C&W District in front of less than a dozen fans. Attention turned to our Saturday afternoon opening game against Fukien AC, where a crowd in excess of 100 was expected to attend. They would pay £1 each for the privilege, clubs in this Division don't sell season tickets generally, it's cash on the gate at most venues. With the club making very little at the gate, we would get through the season mainly through sponsorship and prize money, if we managed to earn any. We could really do with that bet coming in. We were slim favourites to get off to a good start, made 5/4 favourites against the visitors in what was billed as a close match with a side who were third favourites to be promoted before a ball was kicked. Personally, I was just delighted to finally get the season underway and see how we compared against the rest of our rivals in the Third Division. We'd be doing so with Toby Down still in the squad too, as he rejects the contract offer elsewhere, though it did cost us a 70% increase in his contract.

[neilhoskins77]

September 2015 (cont).

Saturday 12th September 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground, Sai Kung.
Sai Kung Friends FC v Fukien Athletic Club.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai, So Siu Ki; John Benedict Pereira, Luk Hok Man; Zanskar Blair, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Kwan Chak Fai, Wan Chi Pan, Shaun Melwani, Shaan Nanik, Ho Chi Wing.

And so, it begins. I go with what I believe is my strongest side at the moment, though there are three games scheduled for us in the opening week, so some rotation will be required in the early stages. Our schedule is better than most other clubs, the benefit of having our own stadium, while others are involved in heavy ground sharing, meaning they have to play whenever they can. The crowd that turned up to watch our opening match of the season is a large one in the context of football in this small nation, in fact, it accounts for around 60% of the total amount of people watching Third Division football today.

Sadly, the game didn't live up to the hype. We had a certain element of control over proceedings, but rarely looked like putting together anything noteworthy in attack, while looking untroubled at the back. The biggest trouble we had was of a disciplinary nature, as So Siu Ki, John Benedict Pereira and Mark Grainger all collected bookings in a first half that was lacking in action to say the least.

The players were asked to keep the work levels high, and attempt to create more in the second half, but when Chris Barnett was booked less than 90 seconds into the second half, we now had three quarters of our back four in danger of seeing a red card. It was clear changes would need to be made, and on the hour both Siu Ki and Benedict Pereira came off. Young defender Kwan Chak Fai would come at centre back, with Lai Ka Fai moving to the left back spot, while Shaun Melwani came into the midfield. Luk Hok Man was our fifth player to see a yellow card with twenty minutes left, and ten minutes later he came off to give a debut to Shaan Nanik, who would have to play a little deeper than normal. Not that any difference came of those changes, as there was just one shot on target between the two sides all afternoon, a tame header from the visitors that Lee Brown caught easily. A stalemate draw to start the season, but we could take heart from the possession stats, which showed we had nearly 60% of the ball.

Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 0 Fukien Athletic Club (0) 0
Scorers :- None.
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai, So Siu Ki (Kwan Chak Fai 61); John Benedict Pereira (Shaun Melwani 61), Luk Hok Man (Shaan Nanik 80); Zanskar Blair, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Attendance :- 159. Man of the Match :- Luk Hok Man (Sai Kung Friends).

The six fixtures in the Division produced just seven goals, with four of them shared in one game. It was certainly a very tentative start to the season by a lot of the clubs, but we could be satisfied with our efforts, and would hope to carry that momentum into our next game, which would be an away fixture on Wednesday evening, where our opponents would be the club who's Under-20 International striker we were still intent on stealing before the Transfer Window closed.

There were more matches on Tuesday evening, as Fukien AC had their first home game, and were involved in another goalless draw with a side who had also drew a blank in their opener, Kowloon City District Recreation & Sports Council, or to give them their thankfully shortened name, KCDRSC. Clearly, this was not going to be a League where there would be plenty of goals, but we hoped to get amongst them when we travelled to face Sun International Athletic Association, who had drawn 1-1 in their season opener.

Wednesday 16th September 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Happy Valley Sports Ground Pitch Number Two, Happy Valley.
Sun International Athletic Association v Sai Kung Friends FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Kwan Chak Fai, Lai Ka Fai; John Benedict Pereira, Shaun Melwani; Zanskar Blair, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Li Ling Him, Wan Chi Pan, Tso Yu Hei, Lai Ming Lai, Ho Chi Wing.

Two personnel changes to the starting lineup for this match, plus one positional move as well, and then another three changes on the bench. Lai Ka Fai moves across to left back in place of So Siu Ki, which allows Kwan Chak Fai to start at centre back. In the midfield pairing, Shaun Melwani gets the start this time, with Luk Hok Man left out, despite being man of the match last time out. On the bench, Li Ling Him, Tso Yu Hei and Lai Ming Lai all come into the matchday squad and will be hoping to make their debuts. Sun International usually play their games at the Meong Kok Stadium, but with so many teams using the stadium, they have elected to keep the game on the date it was scheduled, and move the venue instead.

Much like Saturday's match, we were in charge for large spells of the game, passing the ball around nicely, but not managing to to cut the home sides defence open. Bookings would again be the biggest talking point of the half, as Chung Tsz Fung was booked for diving in an attempt to win a penalty after fifteen minutes, while ten minutes later, Shaun Melwani got his name taken for a crunching tackle. Still, the match was goalless at the break, but I was satisfied that the team were playing well.

Diver, Tsz Fung, was brought off just five minutes after the break, and was followed just five minutes later by the striker we'd been trying to sign, and had kept quiet so far. That wasn't the reason he was taken off though. He had fallen awkwardly following a tackle from Chris Barnett, and suffered a fractured wrist. The tackle didn't look too bad, but the ref booked Barnett. I made my changes all in one go in the 71st minute, trying to shake things up going forward by taking off Melwani, Toby Down and Ethan Hallberg, and replacing them with Tso Yu Hei, Lai Ming Lai and Ho Chi Wing. Those changes required a bit of a change around, with Ming Lai moving to the right wing, and Zanskar Blair taking Down's role in behind the striker.

Three minutes later, and the move backfired, as Blair was forced off the park with a calf strain, meaning we would have to see out the match with ten men. Ironically, that led to our best spell of the game, as John Benedict Pereira strode through midfield, but then shot wildly off target. Two minutes later, and it was Tso Yu Hei who exploited the space in the middle, and he went for a low shot that Chan Ho Yeung had to hold onto with Lai Ming Lai following up quickly if he made a mistake. Another goalless draw, and this time we had over 60% of the ball during the match, plus very high percentage passing and tackling completion rates. We just needed to find a way to be more clinical when the chances came.

Sun International Athletic Association (0) 0 Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 0
Scorers :- None.
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Kwan Chak Fai, Lai Ka Fai; John Benedict Pereira, Shaun Melwani (Tso Yu Hei 71); Zanskar Blair (inj - 74), Toby Down (Lai Ming Lai 71), So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg (Ho Chi Wing 71).
Attendance :- 44. Man of the Match :- Kwan Chak Fai (Sai Kung Friends).

[neilhoskins77]

September 2015 (cont).

19 year old Zanskar Blair is going to miss around a month of action. That unfortunate news for the lad of Northern Ireland origins, could mean an extended run in the team for Lai Ming Lai, who's debut outing for us from the bench was received well by supporters of the club. Our loss wasn't as bad as Sun International's though, as the fractured wrist suffered by Lee Cho Yiu will keep their best player out for up to ten weeks. In the other games of the evening, C&W District picked up a second consecutive win at home to Wing Go, while Kowloon Cricket Club got their campaign off to a winning start away from home.

The final game of this early trio of League matches would be against King Mountain, who had played just once so far and got a draw. As we prepared for that match, I sat down with my backroom staff, who were proposing we try a very different way of playing. I listened to what they had to say, and then told them that while I wanted to hear their opinions, but there was no way I was going to abandon the football philosophy I had envisaged for the club after just two competitive matches. They counter argued that we weren't scoring goals, but I replied that we were not conceding any either. If we could get points on the board in the early stages of the season, we would only get better and better, and with a bit of hard work in the training sessions, we could really make this work for us. It took some persuading, but by the end of the meeting, everyone in the room had bought in to what I wanted to do, and vowed to make it work. Another big crowd was expected on Saturday afternoon, and I was really hoping we could send them home happy.

Saturday 19th September 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Sai Kung Tang Shui Kin Sports Ground, Sai Kung.
Sai Kung Friends FC v King Mountain.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Li Ling Him, So Siu Ki; Or Kwok Fai, Tso Yu Hei; Lai Ming Lai, Shaan Nanik, Lai Kwok Kwan; Ho Chi Wing.
Substitutes :- Lai Ka Fai, Wan Chi Pan, Luk Hok Man, Toby Down, Siu Ka Ming.

The rotation is in full swing for our third game in the space of a week. Ironically, it's the two elder statesmen of the team who are not rotated, as 43 year old Lee Brown and 49 year old Mark Grainger are both still in the side. Li Ling Him gets his debut at centre back, as does Or Kwok Fai in the midfield. Up front, Ho Chi Wing starts, and on loan striker Siu Ka Ming is on the bench, as Ethan Hallberg is left out altogether.

As promised in the staff meeting earlier in the week, we stuck to our possession football principles, changing just one aspect, and asking the players to concentrate more on their own jobs rather than contributing to multiple phases of play. Or Kwok Fai looked very comfortable on the ball in the opening stages, and played a pass to Shaan Nanik who had his back to goal on the edge of the box in the 8th minute. Nanik clipped a pass into the path of Lai Ming Lai, who had got goal side of his marker on the right of the box, but Chi Chi Sun threw out a hand to turn his low shot around the post. In the 33rd minute, a long ball upfield by Chris Barnett was held up well by Ho Chi Wing, and he moved the ball left. Lai Kwok Kwan got to the byline and cut the ball to the near post, Nanik created a yard of space, and shot with his left foot, again Chi Chi Sun kept it out.

Chris Barnett was forced off at the break after suffering a cut to his head near the end of the first half, Lai Ka Fai came on to replace him. We continued to be the side more likely to open the scoring, but we were not managing to create the opportunities that we had carved out in the first half. With around twenty minutes left, I made my other two changes. Toby Down came on in place of Shaan Nanik, and up front, young striker Siu Ka Ming made his Senior debut, coming on in place of Ho Chi Wing. Within five minutes, the changes paid off, and we find the net for the first time this season. From a set piece, Ho Ho Chun tried to head the ball over Lee Brown, but our keeper caught it easily. He quickly sent Mark Grainger into space down the right, and he moved it ahead to Lai Ming Lai. The ball was switched to the left to Lai Kwok Kwan, via Ork Kwok Fai in the middle. He whipped the ball into the centre of the box, where Siu Ka Ming tried to get on the end of it, but was beaten to the ball by defender So Siu Yin. He didn't really do anything with the ball though, and Toby Down pounced on the loose ball, and from close range, prodded the ball into the bottom corner to hand us the lead. We almost had a second five minutes later, Tso Yu Hei sending a through ball into the path of Siu Ka Ming, but he was also denied by the keeper, who this time used his legs to make the save. At the third attempt, we had our first win on the board, and our third successive clean sheet.

Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 1 King Mountain (0) 0
Scorers :- Toby Down (77)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett (inj - Lai Ka Fai 45), Li Ling Him, So Siu Ki; Or Kwok Fai, Tso Yu Hei; Lai Ming Lai, Shaan Nanik (Toby Down 71), Lai Kwok Kwan; Ho Chi Wing (Siu Ka Ming 71).
Attendance :- 162. Man of the Match :- Or Kwak Fai (Sai Kung Friends).

Our next game is a week away, but that won't be long enough for Chris Barnett's cut head to heal, and he will miss that match. Centre midfielder Or Kwok Fai, who made his club debut in that match, impressed everyone with his passing precision, and was named man of the match. More importantly, he may have just pushed himself up the pecking order of the clubs midfielders, his style fitting in nicely with our possession tactics, as once again we hover around the 60% mark for time with the ball, just under that mark in that win. We have two more matches left this month, and then October has a much quiter schedule, starting with a break of nearly three weeks in the fixture list.

Elswhere in Division Three, there is a third successive win for C&W District to cement their early lead at the top of the table, as they win 2-0 away to Hoi King Sports Association, who had won both of their previous matches. Like us, Sun International earn their first win of the campaign, with an away victory over KCDRSC, so seemingly not missing their injured Under-20's International striker too much. On Sunday, Hong Kong Telecom and Wing Go fail once again to get their first win on the board, as they lose away from home respectively to Gold & Silver Ornaments and St Joseph's, both of whom claim their first wins of the campaign.

With a week to go before the Transfer Window, our left winger, Lai Kwok Kwan, receives a contract offer from Tung Sing, who play one level above us in the Second Division. After a few days thinking it over, he makes the decision to stay with us. On the same day, Hoi King get back to winning ways in the League with a win away to Kowloon Cricket Club, while Islands District pick up their first win of the campaign, a thumping 5-1 home win against Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, who are still winless after drawing their opening two matches. Our next game would be on Saturday afternoon, an away trip to face North District FC, who like us, have a win and two draws from their three matches to date.

[gibbo11]

Great start! Had to work in Hong Kong last year and fell in love with the place! Started a season on FM when I got back so this reminds me to pick it back up again.

[neilhoskins77]

Great start! Had to work in Hong Kong last year and fell in love with the place! Started a season on FM when I got back so this reminds me to pick it back up again.

Gibbo, I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far. I've heard good things about the place, and this is the second time I've found myself there in FM. Best of luck for your own HK save, and I hope it makes it onto the boards at some point. Cheers.

[neilhoskins77]

September 2015 (cont).

Lai Kwok Kwan has rejected the opportunity to move up the League pyramid a little, and opts to stay with us with a very slight improvement to his terms. That means he remains part of the squad that prepared for a trip to face North District FC, who have an identical record to us as far as results are concerned, and the bookies have decided that home advantage is all that splits the clubs, and make them slight favourites for the match.

Saturday 26th September 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
North District Sports Ground, Sheng Shui.
North District FC v Sai Kung Friends FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Lai Ka Fai, Li Ling Him, So Siu Ki; Or Kwok Fai, Luk Hok Man; Lai Ming Lai, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ho Chi Wing.
Substitutes :- Kwan Chak Fai, Wan Chi Pan, John Benedict Pereira, Lai Kwok Kwan, Ethan Hallberg.

The physio passed Chris Barnett fit to play on the morning of the match, but I had already made the decision not to include him this weekend, instead pairing Lai Ka Fai with Li Ling Him at the back. Or Kwok Fai earned himself another chance in the midfield, this time pairing up with Luk Hok Man. There were more changes further forward, with Toby Down back in the shadow striker role, while So Chun Ting is back on the left wing.

The bookies certainly seemed to have made the right call predicting an even game judging by the opening twenty minutes, as both sides managed nothing more than looking like a pair of prizefighters throwing early round jabs. That changed midway though the half, when we practically punched ourselves in the face. So Chun Ting waved everyone into the opposition penalty area when we won a free kick on the right touchline, and then played the free kick short to Mark Grainger. The North District players chased out right away, and Grainger played a back pass from halfway that Lee Brown tried to clear upfield. Li Ling Him wasn't as alert as he should have been and the ball was played wide to Lee Wai Tik, who crossed to find Wu Chun Hoi, and he found the net inside the far post with a shot on the turn. The same player could have made it two before the break, as Ho Chi Wing was outnumbered trying to hold the ball up, and the hosts countered at pace, Lai Kwok Wing playing in his striker, who this time shanked his finish, to the dismay of the small amount of fans in the compact but neat little stadium.

It goes without saying that I told the lads I expected a much better second half showing, and while our possession was very high, as was becoming customary now, I told the lads to stop giving the ball away cheaply. I resisted the urge to make hasty changes, and waited to see what the start of the second half would bring. The result would be an equaliser seven minutes after the restart. A prolonged period of possession saw us pull the North District defence around the park, before So Chun Ting played a low pass from the left edge of the box into the stride of Toby Down, who once again showed a lethal touch in front of goal, curling a first time left footer just under the cross bar. We looked to have the upper hand, especially when Lee Wai Tik was booked in the 57th minute for a ill timed challenge on So Chun Ting. But five minutes later, we were behind for a second time. On the left, Wong Ho Yin played Chan Ping Wa into space in the left channel, and as our defenders all chased back desperately, the ball was cut back behind them towards the penalty spot, and Lai Kwok Wing slid it low beyond Brown's reach.

We could, and should have levelled right away. From the restart, the ball went left to So Chun Ting, and he curled a through ball that sent Down in on goal. He selfishly shot at goal from an acute angle, when a ball across goal would have left Ho Chi Wing with a tap in. With twenty minutes to go, I made a treble change, So Siu Ki coming off for Kwan Chak Fai, which meant a move to left back for Lai Ka Fai, and Or Kwok Fai and Ho Chi Wing were replaced by John Benedict Pereira and Ethan Hallberg.

The impact was almost immediate, as two minutes later, we were level. Grainger played a ball down the line and found Lai Ming Lai, who skipped past the first challenge before sending the ball infield to Pereira. He curled a through ball through the defence, and Hallberg easily outsprinted the chasing defender, rounded the keeper, and tucked the ball in to bring us level for the second time in the afternoon, his first competitive goal for the club.

From there, we should have gone on to win, which would have been aided significantly by Lee Wai Tik's dismissal for his second bookable offence, as he cut down So Chun Ting from behind in the 77th minute. Unfortunately, our numerical advantage wouldn't last, as five minutes later, we were down to ten men ourselves, as Lai Ming Lai was forced off the park, attempting a turn and sprint on a rutted area of the park, everyone in the stadium heard the unmistakable crack, as our wingers ankle broke. Yet, with the game in the 90th minute, our golden opportunity arrived. Toby Down had moved to the right when we went down a man, and he picked up a pass from Grainger, and played an identical ball to the one Pereira had earlier in the afternoon. Again, Hallberg beat the defence for pace, but this time cut back to his left foot, and tried to find the net inside the far post, putting the ball a yard the wrong side of the upright, and our chance of three points was gone.

North District FC (1) 2 Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 2
Scorers :- Toby Down (52), Ethan Hallberg (73)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Lai Ka Fai, Li Ling Him, So Siu Ki (Kwan Chak Fai 70); Or Kwok Fai (John Benedict Pereira 70), Luk Hok Man; Lai Ming Lai (inj - 82), Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ho Chi Wing (Ethan Hallberg 70).
Attendance :- 31. Man of the Match :- Wu Chun Hoi (North District).

It will be three to four months before Lai Ming Lai is available to us again, which is a real shame for the 23 year old, and would likely force us to look into bringing in another winger before the window closes. I was very surprised to read after the game that some of our supporters consider Lai Ka Fai to be a poor signing. Considering he's just 5'7, and has been playing at centre back for the lions share of his game time so far, and left back on other occasions, but is supposed to be a natural right back, I think he's been very solid, and I was disappointed the fans didn't see it that way. He didn't appear to be letting it concern him, as he is currently happy with the training at the club, and delighted with the clubs League position. He is even expressing an interest in joining the backroom staff in the future, and is already a 'C Licence' holder.

Elsewhere in the League, C&W District lost their 100% record, as St Joseph's held them to a 1-1 draw, while Hoi King kept up their pursuit, achieving the same score away from home against HKFYG. Completing a full house of draws on this Saturday, there was a 0-0 draw between Sun International and Kowloon Cricket Club. On Sunday, there was an away victory for Gold and Silver Ornaments against the still winless Wing Go, the three points moved Ornaments up into third place above North District and ourselves. Our next opponents would be Hong Kong Telecom, who got their maiden win of the season at home to Kui Tan Sports Club. In the final match of the weekend, there was also a first win for Fukien, who prevailed at home to Islands. We would be back at home for our next match, which would be a good thing, as it was on Wednesday, which was also Transfer Deadline Day, and we were looking likely to be active, which would have been much more complicated if we had been playing an away match.

[neilhoskins77]

September 2015 (cont).

We had finished the match against North District FC with 62% possession, a season high, and conclusive proof that the players were absolutely buying into the style of football that I wanted to implement here. Wednesday 30th September, and the final day of the month, a home match with Hong Kong Telecom, who we were expected to beat given our early season solid form. Also, this would be the day that the Transfer Window would slam shut, and we would be in the hunt for some last minute additions to our squad. It was becoming apparent to me that the limited opportunities for training would mean that injuries would likely play a key part in the season, and I wanted to ensure we had ample cover, but also to bring in players who could play effectively under our system. The injury to Lai Ming Lai on the weekend meant a right winger would be high on the shopping list, with improving our defensive options also a priority.

We got both of those priorities addressed early in the day, firstly with the arrival Canadian/Hong Kong dual national winger, Matthew Nuttall. The 27 year old has been playing for Kui Tan Sports Club in our Division, and has three assists in his four appearances so far this season. He swells the ranks of former Lucky Mile players at the club, and is a very good crosser of a football, and a team player. He is likely to go straight into our squad for tonight's match. Joining him in our squad for the season is 19 year old Irish centre back, Darren McEntee. The 5'10 defender is a relative newcomer to Hong Kong, arriving in the country a few years ago to play for Hong Kong FC, but only managing to make ten appearances for them in his two seasons with the then Second Division side.

As the day progressed, the media speculated that we would be launching Deadline Day bids for two players we had spent the summer chasing, 17 year old age group International striker, Lee Cho Yiu, and Japanese left winger, Shinnosuke Kawasaki. While this wasn't entirely inaccurate, our chances of landing either at this point were very limited, and the press speculation suited us right now. That was because while the media concentrated on that, we jumped ahead of an ever increasing queue to snap up 20 year old right back, Liam Key. The Australian had only signed for KCDRSC in the summer from Kitchee Sports Club, and needless to say, they were furious that the dual national had decided to up and leave after just three games. It was an especially impressive signing considering that he is going to lock horns with Mark Grainger for the right back spot, and the old guy has been impressive so far this season.

As our focus started to switch to the night's League match, we had to go on the defensive slightly, as two Second Division clubs came in for our midfielder, Or Kwok Fai. Signed originally as cover, but then putting in a man of the match performance when he made his debut, we were not prepared to risk losing him, and offered a slight improvement to his contract terms. The player arrived at the stadium for the evening kick off, apparently oblivious to everything that was going on, and quickly signed the improved terms, before refocusing his concentration on the match ahead.

Wednesday 30th September 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground, Sai Kung.
Sai Kung Friends FC v Hong Kong Telecom.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Kwan Chak Fai, Lai Ka Fai; Or Kwok Fai, John Benedict Pereira; Matthew Nuttall, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Li Ling Him, Wan Chi Pan, Tso Yu Hei, Chau Chun Hung, Ho Chi Wing.

Changes were made for this match, our last before a break of around two and a half weeks, and a game we were very keen to live up to our status as favourites in. Chris Barnett returns at centre back, and will pair up with Kwan Chak Fai, with Lai Ka Fai moved out to left back. In midfield there was a further change, as John Benedict Pereira was brought in to partner Or Kwok Fai. There were two more changes further upfield, with a debut on the right wing for brand new signing Matthew Nuttall, and a return for Ethan Hallberg up front after his super sub role last time out.

It was immediately apparent that the Telecom side had come here looking for a point, as they were attempting to coax themselves into some more impressive form. They made life very difficult for us in the first half, attempting to allow us to have the ball until we were moving within distance of becoming a threat, and then using numbers to smother our creativity. As a result, the only real action of the first half was the ref producing his yellow card twice in the space of a minute to book firstly Ip Sheung Man of Telecom, and then our own Lai Ka Fai.

Matthew Nuttall came off at the break, clearly the training at Kui Tan wasn't quite up to scratch, and his match fitness would need to be improved. He was replaced by Chau Chun Hung, the right winger who was signed from 'grey' status at the end of pre season, and who had been called up into the First Team squad for just this eventuality today. By the time we had reached the hour mark, frustration was starting to set in, and we had resorted to shooting from range, with very little signs of success, the closest effort being a long range curler from John Benedict Pereira that evaded the reach of visiting keeper Brian Mulcahy, but also just beat the angle of upright and cross bar as well.

As the match approached its final twenty minutes, Toby Down sent a ball to Ethan Hallberg around 25 yards out with his back to goal. The Swede showed strength to hold the ball up, and then turn, and play a ball into the right channel for the fast arriving Chau Chun Hung. His pace was too much for Tam Yu Kit to deal with, and he grabbed a handful of our players jersey, enough to send him to the floor, the ref having no hesitation in awarding us a penalty. We would finally get our clear cut opportunity, and Yu Kit had potentially ruined the hard work put in by the Telecom defence all evening. Hallberg wasn't going to take any chances, and went for pure power, Mulcahy didn't even move as our striker slammed the ball high into the net. He went straight to the fans who were largely congregated in the stand behind the dugouts and celebrated his second goal in as many matches.

I made my final two changes with fifteen minutes remaining, Or Kwok Fai replaced by Tso Yu Hei, and Toby Down was out of gas as well, so Ho Chi Wing was asked to play the shadow role, which is not something he is particularly accomplished at. On this day though, that penalty was enough to wipe all the fight out of the visitors, and we cruised through the remaining minutes of the match. Our unbeaten start to the season continued, and we were making a mockery of those pre season odds.

Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 1 Hong Kong Telecom (0) 0
Scorers :- Ethan Hallberg (70 pen)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Kwan Chak Fai, Lai Ka Fai; Or Kwok Fai (Tso Yu Hei 75), John Benedict Pereira; Matthew Nuttall (Chau Chun Hung 45), Toby Down (Ho Chi Wing 75), So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Attendance :- 175. Man of the Match :- Chris Barnett (Sai Kung Friends).

We are now one of five clubs that remain unbeaten in Division Three as the domestic season moves into October, though none of the clubs are able to boast a 100% record. The three ahead of us have all picked up wins again on this Wednesday evening fixture list. C&W District win 2-0 away to HKYFG, while there is a victory by the same score for Hoi King at home to Fukien. The club we are closest to, North District, manage a 1-0 victory away to KCDRSC.

With the football out of the way for the day, there were still a few hours left in the Transfer Window, and we were still having to be defensive, as Second Division club Kwok Keung made an offer for Toby Down, and for the second time since arriving, we had to improve the attacking midfielders contract. He didn't take long to sign that, and his appearance fee has now nearly doubled since he joined us. Telecom strengthened their defence with the signing of a Scottish defender that we had passed up the opportunity to sign earlier in the summer.

We were linked with a goalkeeper who we had no intention of signing at all, and were not linked with a teenage right winger who we managed to bring in on loan for the rest of the season from Wan Chai Sport Federation. The First Division club had made 18 year old flair player Tong Chun Yip available to be loaned out, and our Scout had given him a fairly decent report. With our need for a winger apparent despite the arrival of Matthew Nuttall, we nipped in and secured the deal for the speedy youngster, who has yet to make his Senior bow. That would be our final signing, and took our total to 23, making us the most active club in the Third Division during the Transfer Window. The FA announced Division Three's team of the month, and goal of the month. We managed no entries in either category.

[neilhoskins77]

October 2015.

That attendance of 175 last time out was actually the all time highest crowd in Division Three history. It gives us an average attendance so far this season of 165, which is over one hundred more than any other club in the Division. The month started with the Board declaring themselves very pleased with our early season, particularly with the tight control over the wage budget. One of the players that we weren't paying will be out for the majority of the month though, as on loan striker Siu Ka Ming has injured his chest during a weight session, and is going to be out for about four weeks. At least there are not too many fixtures this month, due mainly to a spell of International football, which Hong Kong Under-19's kick off with a 2-0 win over Vietnam in an Asian Championship Qualifier. They followed that up a few days later with a victory by the same score away to East Timor. With Japan as the fourth nation in the Group, and only the top side guarenteed a place in the Finals, it's a very good start for Hong Kong, but there are bigger tests to come. In League action, Sun International preserve their unbeaten record with a 1-0 win away to Islands, while Gold and Silver Ornaments move ahead of us in the Division up to fourth place after a goalless draw with St Joseph's.

By the time we got to the end of the first week in October, and the Senior national side were about to get into their schedule, our Northern Irish right winger, Zanskar Blair, was back in training. The Senior's had got the Second Round of their 2018 World Cup Qualifying campiagn off to a great start with a draw at home to Qatar, followed by strong away wins over the Maldives and then Bhutan. But in front of a crowd of over 20,000, they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by China at the Hong Kong Stadium. The following day, the Under-19's were beaten by the same score against their counterparts from Japan, a result that saw them miss out on a best runner's-up spot, and fall out of the Asian Championship Qualifiers. The dismal few days ended with Qatar beating the Senior side 2-0 in Doha. After that disappointing period of International football, where Hong Kong's hopes of improving their reputation went out of the window, it was time to return to League action, with a trip to bottom of the League club, Wing Go.

Sunday 18th October 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Happy Valley Sports Ground, Pitch No 4, Happy Valley.
Wing Go v Sai Kung Friends FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Lai Ka Fai, Chris Barnett, Kwan Chak Fai, So Siu Ki; Or Kwok Fai, John Benedict Pereira; Matthew Nuttall, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Mark Grainger, Wan Chi Pan, Luk Hok Man, Tong Chun Yip, Ho Chi Wing.  

For the second time this season, one of our away matches that was supposed to take place at the Meong Kok Stadium was moved to the Happy Valley Sports Ground due to the ever increasing fixture congestion. Our hosts were looking for their first win of the campaign, while we were looking to build on the second win that we earned at the end of last month. There was a change in personnel for us, as Mark Grainger was rested for the first time this season, allowing Lai Ka Fai to play in his natural right back position. This meant a return to the lineup at left back for So Siu Ki. On loan forward, Tong Chun Yip is on the bench, and Chau Chun Hung returns to Reserve team duties.  

We did not get off to a good start, and paid the price early on. A corner delivery from Li Shu San into the centre of our penalty box picked out an entirely unmarked Chow Hon Chi, and from eight yards out, the centre back guided home his header, his first goal for the club, to give the handful of Wing Go fans in attendance hope of seeing the club finally break their duck in the League.    

We went searching for the equaliser, but Lai Ka Fai was caught way too far upfield in the 20th minute, and when he couldn't get back into position as Wing Go came at us down his flank, Chris Barnett had to step across into right back, and did a bit of a hatchet job on their forward, earning himself a booking. The free kick was wasted, and we attempted to counter attack, but it summed up the kind of first half we'd had in this lunchtime kick off when Toby Down went for a speculative effort from all of 35 yards, and endangered only the corner flag.   

There were stern words at the break, and a warning that if they didn't get this game pulled around soon, I'd be making changes. In fairness, we showed a lot more spirit at the start of the second half, and on a pitch that was desperately short of grass in some areas, we did start getting our passing going and look after the ball a bit better. Ninety seconds after the restart, John Benedict Pereira tried a curler from long range, but Choy Yiu Fai held it fairly easily. Better wasn't our usual standard though, and Chan Ho Chun was afforded too much room when he came in off their left wing, and moved across the edge of the box to find the gap for a shot, though he eventually put it wide. 

I'd seen enough, and midway through the half, I made two changes, sacrificing Pereira and Matthew Nuttall, and introducing Luk Hok Man into the midfield, and Tong Chun Yip for his debut out on the right. Just over five minutes later, we had an equaliser that we barely deserved. So Chun Ting sent in a corner that was headed clear, but Or Kwok Fai gave it straight back to the winger. At the second attempt, he got the ball into the edge of the six yard box, where Toby Down met it with an awkward looking header, but he got enough on it to send the ball looping in the near bottom corner of the net and bring us level. On a day where we were lucky to be level, it was a case of holding what we had in our possession, and Mark Grainger came on near the end for So Siu Ki to help see out the draw.  

Wing Go (1) 1 Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 1
Scorers :- Toby Down (73)
Lee Brown (capt); Lai Ka Fai, Chris Barnett, Kwan Chak Fai, So Siu Ki (Mark Grainger 83); Or Kwok Fai, John Benedict Pereira (Luk Hok Man 67); Matthew Nuttall (Tong Chun Yip 67), Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Attendance :- 24. Man of the Match :- Toby Down (Sai Kung Friends).

That header made Toby Down our top scorer of the season so far with three, and the pay increases he had been given were starting to look like money well spent. It was hard to put a finger on what exactly had gone wrong, our possession was still up around that 60% mark that we were routinely getting to, but we didn't look at the races for long spells, particularly in the first half. We still had not managed an away win this season, though maybe a draw wasn't such a bad result, as only two clubs in the League of sixteen have two draws or fewer at this stage of the campaign. The press believe we have no right at all to be happy with a draw from that fixture however. Thankfully, our next two fixtures are at home. Hoi King dropped points with a goalless draw away to Sun International, and even the press had to point out that we were now unbeaten in six League games.

 

2015/16 Hong Kong League Division Three Table. Up to & Including Sunday 18th October 2015.


| Pos | Inf   | Team              | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | GD    | Pts   |

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 1st |       | C & W District    | 6     | 4     | 1     | 1     | 8     | 3     | 5     | 13    | 
| 2nd |       | North District    | 6     | 3     | 3     | 0     | 9     | 5     | 4     | 12    | 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 3rd |       | Ornaments         | 6     | 3     | 3     | 0     | 8     | 2     | 6     | 12    | 
| 4th |       | Hoi King          | 6     | 3     | 2     | 1     | 7     | 5     | 2     | 11    | 
| 5th |       | Sai Kung Friends  | 6     | 2     | 4     | 0     | 5     | 3     | 2     | 10    | 
| 6th |       | Sun International | 6     | 2     | 4     | 0     | 4     | 1     | 3     | 10    | 
| 7th |       | Fukien            | 6     | 2     | 3     | 1     | 5     | 3     | 2     | 9     | 
| 8th |       | Kui Tan           | 6     | 2     | 3     | 1     | 8     | 5     | 3     | 9     | 
| 9th |       | Islands           | 6     | 2     | 0     | 4     | 9     | 9     | 0     | 6     | 
| 10th|       | KCC               | 6     | 1     | 3     | 2     | 3     | 5     | -2    | 6     | 
| 11th|       | St. Joseph's      | 6     | 1     | 3     | 2     | 5     | 7     | -2    | 6     | 
| 12th|       | Telecom (HKG)     | 5     | 1     | 2     | 2     | 5     | 8     | -3    | 5     |
| 13th|       | KCDRSC            | 5     | 0     | 3     | 2     | 0     | 3     | -3    | 3     | 
| 14th|       | King Mountain     | 6     | 0     | 3     | 3     | 2     | 6     | -4    | 3     | 
| 15th|       | Wing Go           | 6     | 0     | 3     | 3     | 5     | 9     | -4    | 3     |
| 16th|       | HKFYG             | 6     | 0     | 2     | 4     | 2     | 11    | -9    | 2     | 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

[neilhoskins77]

October 2015 (cont).

My Coach has sent a report to the Assistant Manager regarding the progress of right back Mark Grainger. His report states that Grainger is now past his best, and is unlikely to improve. Given that the full back is less than six months away from his 50th birthday, this news comes as no surprise to me. The report concludes that Grainger could still do a really good job at Second Division level. I hope the Coach does a better job on the training ground than he does writing up the reports.

It's another sizeable gap between fixtures as we wait ten days before our home match with St. Joseph's, a game we'll go into without our striker Ho Chi Wing. In fact, we'll be missing him for quite a few games, as he has torn his hamstring after turning sharply in training, and the physio estimates it will be around three months before he is available again. Thankfully, teenage on loan striker Siu Ka Ming is back in training after recovering from his chest injury.

Before we got back into action again, there were a trio of games on the Tuesday evening. North District returned to the top of the table with a 2-1 away win over Islands. We were pushed down a place in the standings as Kui Tan Sports Club a first defeat of the season on Gold and Silver Ornaments with a 2-0 victory. Neither Kowloon CC or Hong Kong Telecom managed to make much in the way of ground up the table, as they played out a 1-1 draw.

Wednesday 28th October 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground, Sai Kung.
Sai Kung Friends FC v Saint Joseph's FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Kwan Chak Fai, Lai Ka Fai; Shaun Melwani, Luk Hok Man; Matthew Nuttall, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Darren McEntee, Wan Chi Pan, John Benedict Pereira, Tong Chun Yip, Shaan Nanik.

The largest crowd in the history of the Division turned up to see if we could get ourselves back to winning ways. They would see Mark Grainger return at right back, with Lai Ka Fai moving across to left back and So Siu Ki out of the matchday squad, as new arrival, Irish centre back Darren McEntee, is brought in and is on the bench. In midfield, Or Kwok Fai is rested, and John Benedict Pereira is on the bench, with Luk Hok Man starting, and Shaun Melwani getting a rare start.

I told the players I wanted to see an improvement on the last outing, and that a good start was key, especially in front of a large crowd. Most of my players have a very good grasp on the English language as a minimum, but they clearly didn't get the message, as 65 seconds after kick off, Cheung Kwan Man's free kick from the left edge of the box was met by the head of Chinese centre midfielder, Cui Lin, who had easily escaped his marker, and glanced his header into the net. For the second match in a row, we were behind early on to a set piece. At least this time we responded well, playing the ball around nicely, creating some chances in the danger area, but not managing to find the net. Toby Down picked up a booking in the first half too.

I tried to keep the team talk a positive one, telling the players that we could still turn this around if we upped our level of play and kept the work rate high. They were listening this time, and we got ourselves level as the hour mark approached. St Joseph's were attacking down the left, but when Chan Tsz Chun tried to send in a cross, Mark Grainger blocked the ball, and then beat the winger to the loose ball. Shaun Melwani and Matthew Nuttall were involved, and got the ball to Luk Hok Man in the centre circle. His through ball over the defensive line should have been easily cut out, but Ethan Hallberg brought the ball down from an awkward height with a superb touch, and then spun away from a defender, before unleashing a finish with the outside of his boot to send the ball into the far corner of the net. The super Swede even produced a somersault in celebration.

I made all three of my changes in a five minute spell late in the half, as I tried to get some fresh legs onto the park and push us on to a win. Kwan Chak Fai made way, and Darren McEntee made his debut, while Nuttall came off for Tong Chun Yip. A few minutes later, Melwani came off for John Benedict Pereira, but we couldn't create another clear cut opportunity, and once more, we were forced to settle for a point in a game we probably should have won.

Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 1 Saint Joseph's FC (1) 1
Scorers :- Ethan Hallberg (59)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Kwan Chak Fai (Darren McEntee 75), Lai Ka Fai; Shaun Melwani (John Benedict Pereira 79), Luk Hok Man; Matthew Nuttall (Tong Chun Yip 75), Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Attendance :- 180. Man of the Match :- Ethan Hallberg (Sai Kung Friends).

Ethan Hallberg takes the plaudits of the press for hauling us back into that match, with the media stating that the striker is now hitting good form after a slow start to his career with us. In a League that is fast becoming notorious for being almost as hard to score as it is to win, Hallberg now has three goals to his name, putting him level in his personal battle with Toby Down to be our top marksman. The Swedish striker appears to be very happy at the club, which is more than can be said for Tso Yu Hei. The 20 year old midfielder comes to the office to suggest he should be featuring more regularly in the First Team. It was pointed out to him that he has only just arrived at a new club, and was signed as a backup player. He agreed, and left the office as quickly as he had arrived, muttering apologies as he left. It was a slightly different story when fellow backup player, Chinese right back Hu Ze'an came by to say that he was also unhappy. He was given exactly the same answer, but he replied that he wouldn't have signed to play here had he known how little he would feature. I told the 21 year old that his time would be much better served improving his game on the training ground to ensure that he could get a game ahead of a player more than double his age, rather than stand in front of me moaning about it. He left too, though he was considerably more angry than he was when he had arrived.

Wednesday evening had seen all three of the other League matches taking place also end in draws, the most significant of which were Hoi King and Sun International both dropping points against clubs they would have hoped to win against, King Mountain and HKYFG respectively. It was becoming apparent that a couple of wins in a row could make a massive impact on the prospects of any given club in this League. We really needed to try and make that push ourselves and put some pressure on the clubs ahead of us. We had a home game to come on Saturday, followed by three successive away matches, two against clubs around us in the table, and there would also be another fairly lengthy break.

[neilhoskins77]

October 2015 (cont).

There was a single game in the League on Thursday evening, with C&W District playing away to Fukien. To the surprise of nobody, the match ended in a draw, though that suited us, as it kept one of the front runner teams within distance of us, and we will get to see how good they are at close quarters in less than a month, as we travel to face them in late November. The final games of October were much more prominent in our thoughts though, and we would end our month with a Halloween fixture, a home match with a Kui Tan Sports Club side that had won their last two matches and were now a point ahead of us, and up to fourth place, while we were in sixth. This would be our last home fixture for over five weeks, as we wouldn't have another match here until we face Kowloon Cricket Club on the 9th December.

Saturday 31st October 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground, Sai Kung.
Sai Kung Friends FC v Kui Tan Sports Club.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Darren McEntee, Lai Ka Fai; Or Kwok Fai, John Benedict Pereira; Tong Chun Yip, Shaan Nanik, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Kwan Chak Fai, Wan Chi Pan, Luk Hok Man, Lai Kwok Kwan, Toby Down.

As we played just three days ago, changes would be needed for this home match. Kwan Chak Fai dropped to the bench, with Darren McEntee starting for the first time. The centre midfield pairing is changed up, as Or Kwok Fai and John Benedict Pereira return in place of Luk Hok Man and Shaun Melwani. Ahead of them, Toby Down is rested, so there is a start for Shaan Nanik, who has eagerly waited for his chance to impress, while Tong Chun Yip takes over on the right wing from Matthew Nuttall.

In the 15th minute, we nearly kept up our recent trend of falling behind in games. Leung Kwok Wing managed to trick his way past Lai Ka Fai, and sent a cross in to the edge of the six yard box, where Darren McEntee was beaten to the ball by Liu Yik Hei. His first touch took the ball away from the Irishman, and the second blasted a shot that beat Welsh goalie Lee Brown. It was unfortunate for Kui Tan that there was no Englishman or Scotsman in their colours to tuck home the loose ball, as Yik Hei's shot cannoned back off the post, and there was an Englishman in our colours to clear it, Chris Barnett just getting there before Ho Chun Ming.

After ruining what could have been an excellent joke, Barnett turned from hero to zero in the 29th minute. Lai Ka Fai sent in a curling cross that Tong Chun Yip couldn't quite get on the end of, but the ball fell to Ethan Hallberg. His shot on the turn was blocked by Li Chun Hei, and Chu Siu Ming sent the ball upfield, finding the feet of Wong Chi Chiu on halfway. Barnett took leave of his senses, as their forward had no support to speak of and was 50 something yards from goal. But Barnett launched in with a ridiculous two footed tackle that left his orange shirt clad opponent sprawled on the turf. His head was in his hands long before the ref produced a straight red card, and we would spend the next hour a man short. It meant bad news for Shaan Nanik too, as he was the player sacrificed to bring Kwan Chak Fai on and bring our back four back up to the required number. As he came past me and went to the bench, I took Nanik by the arm, apologised to him, explained that circumstances left me with no choice, and that he would get another shot. In fairness to the lad, he told me he understood, though he was clearly struggling to fight back the disappointment.

We got to the break unscathed, and I told the players to keep the system as it is. In our usual formation but without a shadow striker, we'd be at least difficult to break down. We were more than that though. In the 57th minute, So Chun Ting sent a corner into the near post area, and Darren McEntee managed to wrestle away from his marker, and glanced a header between the man on the near post and keeper Law Fu Shing, who got fingertips to it, but not enough to keep the ball out.

I was fully expecting us to have to deal with a period of heavy pressure from Kui Tan, and with twenty minutes to go, fresh legs came from the bench, as Lai Kwok Kwan came on to play left wing in place of So Chun Ting, and Toby Down replaced Ethan Hallberg, as we looked to make the ball stick up the park when we managed to get it up stream. In fact, we dealt with our visitors fairly comfortable, giving them nothing, and even managing to hit the 60% possession figure that we often achieve with eleven players for the full match.

Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 1 Kui Tan Sports Club (0) 0
Scorers :- Darren McEntee (57)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Darren McEntee, Lai Ka Fai; Or Kwok Fai, John Benedict Pereira; Tong Chun Yip, Shaan Nanik (Kwan Chak Fai 29), So Chun Ting (Lai Kwok Kwan 70); Ethan Hallberg (Toby Down 70).
Attendance :- 169. Man of the Match :- Or Kwok Fai (Sai Kung Friends).

It was hard to be too tough on Chris Barnett after the game. He apologised to each of his team mates right after the game, and was then summoned to the office, where he apologised some more, and promised to work on that aspect of his game. He has been pretty dependable up to this point, and I told him I wouldn't hold it against him, but that I was going to issue him an official warning, and that if I had the option to fine him, I would most certainly be doing so. In fairness to the 25 year old, he said he did not expect to be paid his appearance fee, or clean sheet bonus for that matter, and said the club could decide what they wanted to do with money. It was clear he felt he had let his team mates down, and was relieved there was no real damage done. He will be banned for our next match though.

That victory moved us up into third place, as we overtook Kui Tan, and also went past Hoi King, who were beaten at home by a resurgent Hong Kong Telecom side who had now taken seven points from the last nine available since losing to us. North District beat bottom of the table HKFYG to give themselves a four point cushion at the top of the table. That was cut down to three a day later, as C&W District drew away to Sun International. We dropped down a spot into fourth as Gold and Silver Ornaments, who we would play next, were decisive 3-0 victors away to KCDRSC. Things were not looking so good for HKFYG, though they did manage an award from the month of October, as their 19 year old striker Wong Chun Lam picked up the goal of the month award for his curling effort against Sun International last week. We managed one representative in the Division's team of the month, that honour going to centre back Kwan Chak Fai. The leaders from North District were the most represented in that team, contributing three players.

[neilhoskins77]

November 2015.

Chris Barnett's appearance and bonus money from the last match were donated to a local charity, though you wouldn't have been able to blame the Chairman too much if he had put the money back into the club, as our end of month review revealed that the club had lost nearly £5k in the last month, and were now nearly £14k in the red. For me personally, the Board say that I'm in a very secure position, partly down to my help with the financial aspect, as around 16% of my wage budget remains unspent. They are delighted with the form of Or Kwok Fai as well.

As we were preparing for our final match of this section in the fixture list, a crucial away match with Gold and Silver Ornaments, the International managers from around the World were picking their squads for the next batch of fixtures in their own schedules. During our build up, Hu Ze'an went back to the press again, reiterating his frustration at his lack of playing time. I told the media that Ze'an would have to wait for his opportunity, and that I was starting to get tired of hearing about it now. It became a recurring theme in my Friday lunchtime press conference, until I said that I was more interested in a unified squad atmosphere than I was in Ze'an's own personal cause, and if he wasn't happy with that, he was free to find himself another club. The Chinese full back took that to mean that he would be sold as soon as possible.  I was sick of the topic, and moved him into the Reserve squad. I was far more interested in Saturday afternoon's important fixture.

Saturday 7th November 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Causeway Bay Sports Ground, Causeway Bay
Gold and Silver Ornaments v Sai Kung Friends FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Kwan Chak Fai, Darren McEntee, Lai Ka Fai; Or Kwok Fai, John Benedict Pereira; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- So Siu Ki; Wan Chi Pan, Luk Hok Man, Zanskar Blair, Siu Ka Ming.

Chris Barnett's suspension means we go into the biggest game of our season so far with the centre back pairing of Darren McEntee, our winning goal scorer last time out, and Kwan Chak Fai. The only other change in the starting eleven see's Toby Down back into the lineup in place of the unfortunate Shaan Nanik. There were more changes on the bench, where So Siu Ki is back involved, and Zanskar Blair will be hoping to get some match time too. Teenage on loan stariker Siu Ka Ming is fit enough to be picked for the bench today. Our opponents are another club who are supposed to play at Meong Kok Stadium, but are evicted on a very regular basis, this time as there are preparations in place for International matches. So this time, we travel slightly less south than the Happy Valley Sports Ground, but only very slightly, as we make our way instead to the Causeway Bay Sports Ground, which isn't much less further away on Hong Kong Island.

Lai Ka Fai picked up a yellow card in the tenth minute, and four minutes later we were a goal down. John Benedict Pereira tried to put a through ball in between the opposition defence, but Yuen Yiu Tung picked it off, and then sent the ball over the head of Kwan Chak Fai, was a little further upfield than the rest of the defensive line, and into the space for Wu Kwong Yuen to run onto. Lee Brown came sprinting off his line, and Kwong Yuen went around him, but Darren McEntee had got goal side and held him up, aided by the recovering Chak Fai. That gave time for Brown to get back in his goal, but Kwong Yuen made a yard of room on his left foot, and drilled the ball low into the bottom corner.

The lead for the hosts lasted less than ten minutes, and it was nice to see us hit back much quicker than we had when we previously went behind. Or Kwok Fai broke up play in our own half, and got it forward to Pereira. He in turn sent it to Toby Down, and he played a through ball that looked a little overhit. But Choi Man Ho didn't come his line, and left his defence to deal with it, which they didn't manage. Ethan Hallberg got there first, and sidefooted the ball home from close range. In the 29th minute we almost got ourselves ahead, So Chun Ting sent in a cross that caused chaos, and Down managed to control the ball as it pinged around the box, and squared it to Or Kwok Fai, who rattled a first time shot off the cross bar. The same two players were involved in the 42nd minute, as Kwok Fai picked out Down on the edge of the box, and he turned his marked and arrowed a shot with his left foot into the far top corner of the net from twenty yards out. We could have been pegged back right from the restart, as Kwong Yuen nudged a through ball into the path of Yiu Hok Leung, but he snatched at the chance, at blasted it wide of the target.

Ornaments came out fired up in the second half, but their manager put that fire out himself by making his three substitutions individually in an eleven minute spell before the hour, which kind of killed any momentum that they were starting to build. I went the other way, and made all three of mine together in the 69th minute. Darren McEntee was out of gas, and came off, with So Siu Ki coming on, meaning a move into the centre for Lai Ka Fai, which was a little risky with him already having a booking. Pereira came off, replaced by Luk Hok Man, and Zanskar Blair came onto the right wing in place of Tong Chun Yip. Our hosts were getting frustrated and started launching into tackles, seeing two players booked within as many minutes as we got into the last ten minutes. And then we were caught cold with just five minutes left. Mak Yiu Tak evaded a tackle in midfield and curled a through ball into the space behind our defence for Kwong Yuen to run onto, and slip the ball beyond Brown for a second time this afternoon. Frustrating.

Gold And Silver Ornaments (1) 2 Sai Kung Friends FC (2) 2
Scorers :- Ethan Hallberg (28), Toby Down ((42)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Kwan Chak Fai, Darren McEntee (So Siu Ki 69), Lai Ka Fai; Or Kwok Fai, John Benedict Pereira (Luk Hok Man 69); Tong Chun Yip (Zanskar Blair 69), Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Attendance :- 19. Man of the Match :- Toby Down (Sai Kung Friends).

63% possession against a club we're likely going to be competing against for promotion in the latter stages of the campaign if we can keep our good start up. That stat is a new season high, and if we had held onto that lead, we would have had a few others, like back to back wins for the first time, a first win away from home and coming from behind to win for the first time too. Conceding the equaliser aside, we had played well, and we had taken a point from one of the better clubs in our Division. It had been another top end performance from Toby Down, who notched a goal and an assist to go with his man of the match performance. Ethan Hallberg's goal means that he keeps his ongoing duel with the attacking midfielder locked at four goals apiece.

It was another day where drawn games were the order in Division Three, as all four matches ended without a winner. Both North District and C&W District were held at home, by Hoi King and Kui Tan respectively. Even the new form side of Hong Kong Telecom could not provide a victory, as they were held to a goalless draw by Islands. There wasn't much improvement on Sunday afternoon either, as four more matches produced just two goals. They brought away wins for KCDRSC and Fukien, who beat St. Joseph's and Sun International. My weekend ended with Shaun Melwani telling me that he was baffled why a player of his quality had still not secured a regular First Team starting place. I told the Iranian that unfortunately for him, Or Kwok Fai was in the form of his life, and that he needed to be ready to put his foot in the door should that form slip. He said he understood, but still wasn't happy, he didn't believe that Kwok Fai was doing anything he couldn't do himself. As the new week began, I was told he was still complaining to team mates that he should be playing a more prominent role. The International break began, and it would be a break that would throw up a few surprises.

[neilhoskins77]

November 2015 (cont).

The International break started in earnest, as on the same day, Hong Kong Under-20's picked up a 2-1 win over Guam at the Aberdeen Sports Ground, and straight after that, over at the Meong Kok Stadium, the Under-19's earned a fairly credible draw with their counterparts from Malaysia. The Seniors were in action the following evening, as they made the trip across the Bay to face Macau, and won in pretty convincing fashion, returning as 4-0 victors. It was interesting to note that all four goals were scored by naturalised players for Hong Kong. The goals came from a Nigerian, Chinese, Brazilian and Ghanaian, all playing in the domestic League apart from the latter who is playing in China currently.

Sunday 15th November, a fortnight before the weekend of my 38th birthday, and little more than a few months after taking a Senior job here in Asia. Just before the season got started here in Hong Kong, I threw my name into the hat for the job as Manager of the Japan Under-23 side. It was more in hope than in expectation, and despite being heavily linked with the role in the days afterwards, I heard nothing, until now. Everything moved quickly, a phone call from the Japanese FA, then another quickly afterwards from the Manager of the Senior side, Javier Aguirre, the experienced 56 year old Mexican. He had no issue with me continuing to work in Hong Kong at the same time, he was doing two jobs himself already, as he was also in charge at Al-Wahda, one of the leading clubs in the UAE's top tier Arabian Gulf League.

A flight to Japan, a hastily arranged media call, and then right back to Hong Kong, that's a four and a half hour flight in, and then right back again after a few hours. The Japanese press were understandably unimpressed with the appointment, and I didn't really hold that against them. I had no idea what I was doing there either. They were a bit cruel though, suggesting I was the best of a very poor and very few number of applicants. I did ask if that was the case, and didn't manage to get a straight answer. I resolved to put that out of my mind, and grab this opportunity gratefully. This is a chance to hugely enhance my reputation in Asian football, and it's a massive step up from the level of football that is played in Hong Kong's Third Division.

There would be no settling in period either, as in January, I would be off to Qatar with the squad for the bi-annual Asian Under-23's Nations Cup. We would be looking for a top two spot in Group C, where we would face Iraq, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The top two would go into the Quarter-Finals. I would be missing some domestic games in Hong Kong during this period, but I had my Chairman's blessing, though he did say he would have been happier to see me involved in the set up of the country I was managing. I persuaded him that it could actually benefit the club in the longer term, though I was just trying to make him feel better, I couldn't really see that being the case at all. I was certainly looking forward to learning from an experienced Manager like Javier Aguirre, who took Mexico to the Copa America Final in 2001, and won the Gold Cup with them in 2009. He's managed some big clubs too, like Atletico Madrid and Espanyol.

Keen to keep an even closer eye on International goings on now, I attended Monday afternoon's Under-19 Friendly at the home of Eastern District FC, the Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground. There I saw the Hong Kong dismantle a very ordinary looking Bahrain side by 3-0, with Lee Cho Yiu, the Sun International striker I had failed to get in the last Transfer Window, scoring two of the goals. My attention was also drawn to a tall teenage centre back who was playing for Hong Kong, who it turned out is currently a free agent, but is still finding his way into the International reckoning. Later the same day, The Under-20's had the better of a goalless draw away from home against Bermuda in the town of Hamilton. The following night, and the inevitable struck home for the football fans of Hong Kong, as their dreams of continuing their World Cup Qualifying journey were ended. Worse still, they were ended by the rivals from over the northern border, as China beat them 3-0 in front of a sold out crowd of 33,000 in the Shenzhen City Stadium. They would now be playing for pride and FIFA ranking points only in March when the campaign ended with a home double header against the Maldives and Bhutan.

As we headed into the last week of November, the domestic season would resume, and for us we would get back into action with an away double header, starting on the Wednesday night and continuing into Saturday. The matches got back underway on the Tuesday evening, where the tale of two clubs was apparent. Kui Tan are a club on the up, and a 2-0 home win over our weekend opponents, KCDRSC, means they are now very much in the battle at the top end of the table. For Hoi King however, things are going the other way, and a 0-0 draw away to still winless Wing Go means they are now starting to risk losing touch with the front runners. We would find ourselves in a similar position potentially if we couldn't get a result away to C&W District, who have been around the top of the table throughout the campaign to date.

Wednesday 25th November 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
So Kon Po Recreation Ground, So Kon Po.
Central & Western District Recreation & Sports v Sai Kung Friends FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Kwan Chak Fai, Lai Ka Fai; Or Kwok Fai, John Benedict Pereira; Zanskar Blair, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Darren McEntee, Wan Chi Pan, Luk Hok Man, Tong Chun Yip, Siu Ka Ming.

Chris Barnett comes straight back into the side after returning from his suspension, displacing Darren McEntee, who is on the bench today. In the only other change from last time out, Zanskar Blair starts in what is becoming our problem position on the right wing, as no one has yet been able to lock down that position, and Tong Chun Yip is rotated out of the team this time around.

This a park that is used a lot less than most of the others, as it's C&W's backup option, they usually play at the Wan Chai Sports Ground. As a result, we play on one of the best surfaces we've seen this season. Maybe the bobbly pitches are required to get our usually precise passing on target, as Or Kwok Fai's delivery from short range to John Benedict Pereira was not on the mark, and Chau Chun Fung stepped in to take the ball and sent it right between our centre backs. By the time they had turned and chased, Fung Chung Ting had got a very good head start on them, and the striker toe poked the ball past Lee Brown and into the bottom corner to put us a goal down midway though the first half. It was his first goal of the campaign on his return from a long injury layoff.

We could have been level within five minutes. After a nice period of passing around the midfield, we managed to get So Chun Ting into space on the left wing. He sent the ball forward into the left channel, where Pereira ran onto it. The Portuguese national picked up the ball in plenty of space near the corner of the six yard box. Ignoring the wide open Ethan Hallberg and Zanskar Blair, either of who would have had a tap in if the ball had been played square, he went for goal himself, trying to force the ball inside the near post, but Cheng Chun Yin stopped that easily. The ball rebounded back to Pereira, and the opportunity to get it across goal was briefly still there, but instead he tried a stepover, and Chau Fung took the ball off his toe, leaving our midfielder claiming he had been fouled. It could have been a double blow, as Lai Fa Kai's thrown in was intercepted easily on the corner of the box by Chung Ting, and he cruised in on goal again, but this time only found the side netting.

The players were left in no doubt about how I felt they had performed in the first half, and were told to make the necessary improvements in the second half. We certainly settled down a bit, but when the opposition started making changes, I had to do the same to get some fresh legs on the park. Luk Hok Man and Tong Chun Yip replaced Pereira and Blair respectively in the 69th minute, but that did nothing to really change our fortunes. In the 77th minute, I made the decision to make a more significant change, sacrificing right back Mark Grainger, for striker Siu Ka Ming, and pulling Lai Ka Fai infield to make a back three, and go with two men up front and attempt to play a bit more direct.

That plan would fail miserably, as Lau Ka Sing produced a trick on the right wing to get past So Chun Ting, and send a dangerous cross into the middle. Fung Chung Ting was the man on the spot again, sneaking between our defenders and diverting the ball high into the roof of the net from close range in the 81st minute to leave us a very much uphill task. It was his second goal of the afternoon, and the 50th of his career. Lai Ka Fai picked up a booking, born out of frustration as much as anything else. Our unbeaten start to the season had come to an end at nine, and the defeat meant we risked falling behind the leading pack.

Central & Western District Recreation & Sports (1) 2 Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 0
Scorers :- None.
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger (Siu Ka Ming 77), Chris Barnett, Kwan Chak Fai, Lai Ka Fai; Or Kwok Fai, John Benedict Pereira (Luk Hok Man 69); Zanskar Blair (Tong Chun Yip 69), Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Attendance :- 36. Man of the Match :- Fung Chung Ting (C&W District).

[neilhoskins77]

November 2015 (cont).

On the night that our unbeaten record went, the same fate fell upon North District, who were beaten 3-2 at home by Fukien, who had now quietly moved their way up into second place. Gold and Silver Ornaments were on the end of a shock defeat, as they lost 2-0 at home to Kowloon Cricket Club. There was also another win for Hong Kong Telecom, who won 4-0 against HKFYG, one of the trio of clubs that were still looking for their first victory of the campaign. These results, combined with our own, meant we had now dropped down into 7th place.

On Thursday, we agreed with First Division club, Double Flower, that our Reserve sides would play each other in a Friendly match. That would give our fringe players an opportunity to enhance their match fitness, and show what they could do in their quest to earn some First Team football with us. And the pool of players looking to force their way into the First Team picture would grow on the Friday, as the young centre back who had impressed while on age group International duty with Hong Kong recently, has signed for the club. 18 year old Poon Sing Yam played two very impressive games for the Under-19's, after managing to get into their squad while being a Free Agent. That in itself is no mean feat, and the scouting report on him was very positive too. He made the breakthrough at Double Flower a year or two ago, but couldn't progress his career any further forward, and the 6'4 teenager will be looking to kick on with us.

Friday sees an interesting article from World Soccer Magazine, who are running a feature on domestic football in Hong Kong. They produce a piece ranking the clubs by the number of players they develop for top flight football. Rangers and Kitchee, two of the nations traditional heavyweights, top the rankings, which comes as very little surprise. It was interesting to see Second Division side Sham Shui Po Sports Association pop up in third place though, producing eleven players between their ages of 15 and 21, who have then gone on to play in the Premier League currently. There were more First and Second Division clubs in the lower reaches of the top ten as well.

Saturday arrives, the day of my 38th birthday, and a crucial match away from home against Kowloon City District. Once more I am visited in my office by 20 year old midfielder, Tso Yu Hei. He again reiterates his disappointment that he is not getting more First Team football. I tell him that I think it is too soon for him to be expecting regular football here right now, given the other players in the squad who are currently keeping him out of the side. He asks what he needs to do, and I really wanted to give the lad something to work towards. I tell him that each month I get a monthly training report, and that if his name appears on that report as one of the top performers in the training sessions, I will look more favourably at getting him some time on the park in League matches. It doesn't have the desired effect, and he leaves no more happy than he was when he arrived. I don't have time to dwell on that, we need to get on the bus for a match that we're looking for three points from after the setback of our first League defeat.

Saturday 28th November 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Kowloon Tsai Park Sports Ground Pitch No.2, Kowloon City.
Kowloon City District Recreation & Sports Council v Sai Kung Friends FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Darren McEntee, So Siu Ki; Luk Hok Man, John Benedict Pereira; Tong Chun Yip, Zanskar Blair, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Lai Ka Fai, Wan Chi Pan, Tso Yu Hei, Toby Down, Siu Ka Ming.

Another away match where our opponents cannot play at the ground they are supposed to call home. Kowloon Tsai Park Sports Ground is being used by our hosts more illustrious landlords, so this match is moved to one of the small football parks outside the main stadium. It may actually be a good thing for us, as the main pitch is used almost constantly, and the grass pitch is in a very poor state. The outside pitch is a 3G surface, so will likely suit our short passing possession style more. Darren McEntee comes back into the side to partner Chris Barnett, with Kwan Chak Fai rested. Lai Ka Fai is also left out, sitting on the bench with So Siu Ki picked to start at left back. There is also a rest Or Kwok Fai in the middle, with Luk Hok Man taking his place, and unhappy Tso Yu Hei rotated onto the bench. Further up the park, Zanskar Blair is moved into the shadow striker position, with Toby Down rested on the bench, allowing Tong Chun Yip a start on the right wing.

In a strip that looked like it had been borrowed straight from Arsenal, we got ourselves settled early in Kowloon City, and could have had the lead in the 17th minute. Good play down the left got us possession and the ball was moved into the centre of the pitch. Luk Hok Man played his short pass to Zanskar Blair, and the winger who is today getting a start in the centre put a bit of disguise work into his pass to the right channel of the box. Tong Chun Yip knew where it was going though, and sped past his marker to get there first, ruining the good work only with a poor finish, as he attempted to beat the keeper at his near post, but put his shot just the wrong side of the upright as far as we were concerned.

The play started to swing more to the other end after that, and KCDRSC could have taken the lead themselves in the 21st minute. In their club colours of yellow and blue, they were getting a bit more of the ball themselves, and Shek Ho Hin played a ball between our defence and found the angled run of Yiu Wing Kee. Their striker took the ball around Lee Brown, and looked to be about to give KCDRSC the lead, until Darren McEntee arrived and blocked his effort away. There were a number of niggly fouls in the first half, and the ref lost his patience with those in the 28th minute, as Chris Barnett went into the book. To be fair, most of those fouls had come from us, with Barnett and John Benedict Pereira the main culprits.

Goalless at the break, and our opponents made one change, which was like for like, so offered no clue as to their second half intentions. They gave us more of an idea in the 52nd minute, a throw on the left saw the ball played square infield, and Lee Ka Yee picked out Leung Ka Chun who had found some space. The midfielder settled the ball, and then struck a shot that beat the outstretched hand of Lee Brown and crashed back off the cross bar, McEntee there first to hook the ball clear of danger. In the 64 minute, McEntee made a mistake, as he misread the bounce of the ball up the park by Lam Hoi Ming, and that allowed Yiu Wing Kee to stretch his legs and run at our defence. He didn't run nearly as far as he could have, as he clearly had the legs on Barnett, but shot from range instead, missing by quite some distance.

I'd seen enough to decide that changes were necessary, and made all three in the 68th minute. Pereira, Blair and Ethan Hallberg were all replaced by Tso Yu Hei, Toby Down and Siu Ka Ming. Just after the changes, Mark Grainger was left out of pocket, as Yeung Kin Wah came off the left wing and stepped inside our full back. The veteran quickly got back to his feet, and chased right back, and got goal side of the winger, who then sent him a dummy that left him needing to pay to get back in the ground. Kin Wah's skill had got him in on goal, but he went for power with his finish, and shot right at Brown.

As the match entered it's last quarter, the attacking intent became more and more diluted, particularly from the home side, who were keen to ensure that they got a point as an absolute minimum from this match. With seconds left remaining of the three minutes injury time that had been indicated, we would carve out one last chance, as So Chun Ting came off his wing and weaved a mazy run that was ended with a foul just to the left of centre and around 25 yards out. Substitute and joint top scorer, Toby Down, stepped up, and curled the free kick up and over the wall, and perfectly into the top corner of the net, the power of the strike leaving keeper Andrew Santos helpless. He came right to the dugout to celebrate too, 'Happy Birthday Boss' he said, as he accepted my congratulations. A win snatched from what would have been a fairly mediocre draw. Once the celebrations had died down, there would be sympathy for Chan Kwok Leung and his KCDRSC side who were unlucky to come out of that with nothing.

Kowloon City District Recreation & Sports Council (0) 0 Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 1
Scorers :- Toby Down (90+3)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Darren McEntee, So Siu Ki; Luk Hok Man, John Benedict Pereira (Tso Yu Hei 68); Tong Chun Yip, Zanskar Blair (Toby Down 68), So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg (Siu Ka Ming 68).
Attendance :- 17. Man of the Match :- Toby Down (Sai Kung Friends).

That win banished the cloud of last weeks defeat, and lifted us right back into the mix at the top end of the table. Toby Down's goal was his fifth of the season, and Lee Brown now has six clean sheets to his name in just eleven matches. At the other end of the table, in the battle between two of the still winless sides, it was HKFYG who broke their duck, winning 1-0 at home to Wing Go. But Hoi King still couldn't buy a win, as they now make it six without victory after being held at home by St. Josephs. On Sunday, the final November games in Division Three took place. It had not been a particularly good month for Ornaments, and they finished it that way by losing 2-0 at Islands. There were no such problems for the two Districts who were leading the way in the Division, as both North and C&W earned wins away from home.

Also on Sunday, we put out a Reserve side for the second string match with Double Flower. Our fringe players lost 2-0 in the match, but Tso Yu Hei, fresh from playing twenty five minutes the day before for the First Team, earned praise from Lee Tsz Fung for his performance in midfield in the match. Young winger Pui Pak Long also played as he continued his recovery from the injury he suffered not long after the former 'grey' signed a contract with us.

Speaking of wingers, Lai Kwok Kwan is not happy with his limited game time on the left so far. I told him his time would be much better spent proving he deserved a run in the side, but rather arrogantly, he replied that he didn't feel he had anything to prove, and considered himself to be a better player than So Chun Ting. I retorted that I would dearly like to see some proof of that, and that he wouldn't be played based purely on his seemingly inflated opinion of his own ability. He left the office, only to return a short while later with some backup. His chosen supporters were two other players who were struggling to get a game on a regular basis, Tso Yu Hei and Shaun Melwani. In one of football's shorter meetings, they said that they felt that their team mate had been badly treated, and deserved more respect, and more football. When I enquired as to who they felt I should drop, as playing him would mean someone else not playing, they quickly climbed down, and said that he might need to earn his place after all. Very good, now get out of my office. I was quickly getting tired of these players coming to the office every few weeks, and some of them might be finding themselves looking for a new club in the New Year.

[neilhoskins77]

2015/16 Hong Kong League Division Three Table. Up to & Including Monday 30th November 2015.

| Pos | Inf   | Team              | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | GD    | Pts   |                             

| 1st |       | C & W District    | 11    | 6     | 4     | 1     | 18    | 7     | 11    | 22    |  
| 2nd |       | North District    | 11    | 6     | 4     | 1     | 19    | 12    | 7     | 22    | 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
| 3rd |       | Fukien            | 10    | 5     | 4     | 1     | 11    | 6     | 5     | 19    |  
| 4th |       | Sai Kung Friends  | 11    | 4     | 6     | 1     | 10    | 8     | 2     | 18    |  
| 5th |       | Kui Tan           | 10    | 4     | 4     | 2     | 13    | 7     | 6     | 16    |  
| 6th |       | Ornaments         | 11    | 4     | 4     | 3     | 13    | 10    | 3     | 16    |  
| 7th |       | Telecom (HKG)     | 10    | 4     | 4     | 2     | 12    | 9     | 3     | 16    |  
| 8th |       | Hoi King          | 11    | 3     | 6     | 2     | 11    | 10    | 1     | 15    |  
| 9th |       | Islands           | 11    | 4     | 2     | 5     | 14    | 12    | 2     | 14    |  
| 10th|       | Sun International | 11    | 2     | 7     | 2     | 10    | 9     | 1     | 13    |  
| 11th|       | KCC               | 10    | 2     | 6     | 2     | 6     | 6     | 0     | 12    |  
| 12th|       | St. Joseph's      | 11    | 1     | 6     | 4     | 8     | 12    | -4    | 9     |  
| 13th|       | HKFYG             | 11    | 1     | 4     | 6     | 5     | 19    | -14   | 7     |  
| 14th|       | KCDRSC            | 11    | 1     | 4     | 6     | 2     | 11    | -9    | 7     |  
| 15th|       | Wing Go           | 11    | 0     | 7     | 4     | 7     | 12    | -5    | 7     |  
| 16th|       | King Mountain     | 11    | 0     | 6     | 5     | 3     | 12    | -9    | 6     |  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 

[neilhoskins77]

December 2015.

This is going to be a big month, as we try and establish ourselves firmly in the promotion picture, and then later in the month, I'll be naming Japan's Under-23 squad for the forthcoming Under-23 Asian Nations Cup in Qatar. The month started well, as the Board declared themselves absolutely delighted with the way the season was going so far. The performance in the League and control of the wage budget are particular highlights, while they are worried about the form of Zanskar Blair, who they believe the fans think is a bad signing. To be fair, he isn't named in the lineup when the FA name the Third Division Team of the Month, but then neither are any of our other players.

Tso Yu Hei is still trying to get his move away from the club, and has gone public in the press to state that he is now actively looking for a new club. It's interesting timing, with the midfielders name pencilled into the starting lineup for our next League match. Now he needs to decide if he wants to use that as a shop window, or an opportunity to show he deserves to be considered more regularly for our First Team. Winger Lai Kwok Kwan is also still asking for more First Team football, though that won't be possible for him in the short term, as he suffers a hernia injury during a training session on Saturday morning, and will now be out for between 6 and 8 weeks.

Tuesday sees the build up to Wednesday evening's home League match build up, and it's a game we are favourites for as we play host to Kowloon Cricket Club. But I spend part of the day dealing with another unhappy player, though this one has more cause than most. Shaan Nanik really hasn't had much of a chance in the First Team yet. When he was last given a go at the end of October at home to Kui Tan, he was brought off after just half an hour when Chris Barnett was shown a red card. I said at the time he was owed another shot, but due to the form of Toby Down, it just hasn't happened yet. I explain to him that it's difficult to say when his next chance will come, but there is a run of fixtures close together in January, and I envisaged him getting his opportunity around that time. Waiting another month isn't the answer he was looking for, and I now have another unhappy player to deal with. Life would be much easier if I just trimmed the squad, but then when a packed section of the fixture list comes up, we'd be struggling. It's a difficult situation, and keeping all the players happy isn't likely to get any easier any time soon.

Tuesday evening brings a trio of Division Three fixtures, and the highlight of the night is Wing Go finally getting their first win on the board with a 3-1 home success. Even better for us, it's against Fukien, meaning we now have the opportunity to leapfrog them when we play the following evening. There is also a long overdue win for Hoi King, as they win 3-0 away to Ornaments. And no day of action in this League is complete without a draw, as Sun International and Hong Kong Telecom share the honours.

Wednesday 9th December 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground, Sai Kung.
Sai Kung Friends FC v Kowloon Cricket Club.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett, Darren McEntee, So Siu Ki; Tso Yu Hei, Or Kwok Fai; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Kwan Chak Fai, Wan Chi Pan, John Benedict Pereira, Zanskar Blair, Siu Ka Ming.

We're back home in Sai Kung, and for the second time in a row, our opponents are from Kowloon City, as this time we face the Football Club representing the Cricket Club, if that makes sense. Our hero from my birthday weekend, Toby Down, is back in the starting lineup, with Zanskar Blair on the bench. A bit deeper down the park, there are two changes in midfield, as Luk Hok Man and John Benedict Pereira are both dropped, with the latter named on the bench. In their places are the recalled Ok Kwok Fai, and Tso Yu Hei, who gets his chance to impress.

In front of another good home crowd, we were expected to win, a far cry from what our fans were told to expect before the season started. We didn't disappoint them with a great early start, despite Chris Barnett picking up a suspension triggering yellow card. From a throw in near our own corner flag, we quickly got the ball into midfield through Or Kwok Fai and Toby Down. The latter sent it square to Tso Yu Hei, and he played a perfect ball out wide for Tong Chun Yip to run onto. The on loan winger sprinted by his marker, and whipped a cross into the centre. Ma Wai Lung should have cleared it without too much trouble, but whether it was the poor state of the pitch, or just poor technique, he made a mess of it. The ball that was centred at pace hit his shins, and sat there perfectly for the oncoming Or Kwok Fai. Our midfielder had made great ground after being involved in starting the move, and he finished it with a curling and rising shot that gave Kwok Chi Shing no chance, and found the roof of the net. That was his first goal for the club.

We kept hold of the ball nicely for the remainder of the half, and retained our lead heading into the break. The second half would follow much the same mould as the majority of the first half, as we kept the Cricket Club at bay fairly easily with possession football. With quarter of an hour remaining, I brought on my fresh legs, with yellow carded Chris Barnett, out of gas Tso Yu Hei and largely ineffective Ethan Hallberg all brought off. In their places came Kwan Chak Fai, John Benedict Pereira and Siu Ka Ming. With six minutes left on the clock, two of those subs got involved in our attempt to put the match safe. Pereira swung a long curling ball from the centre circle out to the right, and Tong Chun Yip got onto it. He twisted in and out, before choosing the outside route to get to the byline, and fired in a low cross. The ball headed into the near post area, where two defenders who didn't seem very keen to put a foot out towards the ball were both beaten to it by Siu Ka Ming, who got his right foot onto it and diverted the ball across goal and inside the far post to notch his first for the club. For the first time this season, we've managed to put back to back wins together.

Sai Kung Friends FC (1) 2 Kowloon Cricket Club (0) 0
Scorers :- Or Kwok Fai (10), Siu Ka Ming (84)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Chris Barnett (Kwan Chak Fai 75), Darren McEntee, So Siu Ki; Tso Yu Hei (John Benedict Pereira 75), Or Kwok Fai; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg (Siu Ka Ming 75).
Attendance :- 164. Man of the Match :- Or Kwok Fai (Sai Kung Friends).

That's four wins from our last five home games, though I think Tong Chun Yip was a little unfortunate to be overlooked for the man of the match award. Another good crowd, another possession percentage of nearly 60%, we were looking in pretty good shape as we pushed up to third place. Our cause was helped by both North District and C&W District being held to draws at home by clubs they would have been expected to beat, King Mountain and KCDRSC respectively. St Joseph's kept themselves well out of the dogfight near the bottom of the table with a home win over HKFYG. It had been a very successful round of games, apart from Chris Barnett picking up a booking, which would keep him out of our next match, a trip to face Islands District.

[neilhoskins77]

December 2015 (cont).

Recent signing and now 21 year old Australian right back, Liam Key, is keen for some First Team football. He has yet to get a chance in the side, due largly to the form of veteran Mark Grainger. I hope when he does get a game he shows a bit more spirit and resiliance than he did arguing his case. I told him that Grainger was one of the first names on the team sheet right now, and that all I expected from Key was to be ready when the chance came along. He agreed that was a fair statement, and left it at that. Shaan Nanik has taken the lead of some of his team mates before him, going to the press to complain that his meeting to request more playing time had not gone well, and that his future appeared to lie away from the club.

Meanwhile, both the press and the bookies were fairly confident that we'd be able to make it three wins in a row, as we travel to face the Islands District in a rare Sunday fixture. And Saturdays results meant we would have an opportunity to make more ground on the leaders, as the top two drop points after a goalless draw with each other. Hong Kong Telecom miss their chance to capitalise on that slip up by both North and C&W Districts, as they are also held to goalless draw, away from home against the Division's only winless club, King Mountain. There is a real return to form for Hoi King, who follow up last weeks 3-0 victory with another this weekend at home to Kui Tan. And after just one point from the last twelve available, there is a win by the same scoreline for Ornaments, who beat HKFYG.

Sunday 13th December 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Happy Valley Sports Ground Pitch No.3, Happy Valley
Islands District v Sai Kung Friends FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Kwan Chak Fai, Darren McEntee, Lai Ka Fai; Tso Yu Hei, Or Kwok Fai; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Siu Ka Ming.
Substitutes :- Poon Sing Yam, Wan Chi Pan, John Benedict Pereira, Zanskar Blair, Ethan Hallberg.

Once more we find ourselves on one of the outside pitches for our away match. This has been a very rugular feature of our season, and it makes me realise how lucky we are to have our own ground. Kwan Chak Fai is into the lineup in place of the suspended Chris Barnett, while Lai Ka Fai replaces So Siu Ki at left back. Up front, there is a change too, with Siu Ka Ming's goal from the bench last time out now earning him a start at the expense of Ethan Hallberg.

This park is probably the worst surface we have played on all season. My Scout gives us a dossier each week on the opponents, and if it's an away game, some details on the place we'll be playing as well. I'm sure he said this match would be a grass surface, though there is very little of the green stuff to be seen. That said, we get ourselves in front in the 21st minute. Lai Ka Fai takes a short throw in to Toby Down, and he sends the ball square across the edge of the opponents penalty box. Tso Yu Hei sidesteps a tackle, and fires a shot from distance that Tong Tak Wai found too hot to handle. The ball bounced invitingly for our left winger So Chun Ting, and he calmly guided the loose ball into the net for his first goal in our colours.

That lead would be a fairly short lived one though. In the 33rd minute, we were doing a good job of pressing up the park, and their defence were struggling to find a way out, until they sent the ball back to keeper Tong Tak Wai, who launched a huge clearance into our half. Darren McEntee stepped out of the defensive line to deal with it, but the ball drifted over his head and onto striker So Lung, who got to the edge of the box, and when the defence moved towards him, drilled a low and hard shot that Lee Brown would like to have another crack at, as the ball beat his outstretched boot and found the net.

I was disappointed that we were not ahead at the break, and the players were told that the points were there for the taking on this afternoon. Five minutes after the restart we almost had ourselves back ahead, as Kwan Chak Fai hit a hopeful looking ball up the park, and it cleared the defence. It bounced up nicely for Siu Ka Ming, but his shot was an awkward looking one, and went over the top of the bar. McEntee wasn't having a great afternoon in our back four, and midway through the second half I brought him off, giving a debut to teenage centre half Poon Sing Yam. At the same time, John Benedict Pereira also came on in place of Or Kwok Fai. It was interesting to note the reaction of his midfield partner Tso Yu Hei, who immediately started to take control of the midfield in a leadership sense.

Less than ten minutes later, we were ahead for the second time in the match. Pereira would play a part in the goal, taking the ball after a pass from Lai Ka Fai, and evading the challenge of a defender with a cute spin, and playing to the feet of Toby Down, who took the ball on the half turn. Down let the ball run across his body, and then slid a great pass between the defence and into the box, Siu Ka Ming latching onto it, and finding the gap between the home keeper and his near post to net for the second successive match and put us ahead once more with only around a quarter of an hour to play. I make my final change just four minutes after that goal, as Toby Down is looking exhausted, and I just can't risk him getting injured. With Zanskar Blair out of form, I bring Ethan Hallberg on, and ask him to play the shadow striker role, which is unfamiliar to him.

Ok, the change didn't contribute directly to what happened next, but as a rookie manager, I learned the lesson that when your on top and things are going your way, sometimes the best change is to change nothing at all. As the game drifted into the 90th minute, Cheung Lok Him drifted a long and lofted ball upfield, and So Lung was after it with pace. He got goalside of our defence, and chased it down, reaching it just before getting into the box. Kwan Chak Fai went after him, but when he got there at pace, So Lung simply checked inside of him, used him as a blocker to obscure Brown's vision, and then curled the ball around the defender and beyond our keeper to find the net for a second time, and leave us with a draw that felt closer to a defeat.

Islands District (1) 2 Sai Kung Friends FC (1) 2
Scorers :- So Chun Ting (21), Siu Ka Ming (75)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Kwan Chak Fai, Darren McEntee (Poon Sing Yam 68), Lai Ka Fai; Tso Yu Hei, Or Kwok Fai (John Benedict Pereira 68); Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down (Ethan Hallberg 79), So Chun Ting; Siu Ka Ming.
Attendance :- 28. Man of the Match :- So Lung (Islands).

I think that match was the first time this season that we didn't have a large possession advantage, in fact, we came out with the shorter end of the stick at 49%. So Lung doubled his goal tally for the season in that match, and but for his two finishes, I think we were the better side on that poor surface, and can count ourselves a bit unfortunate to only come away with one point. That's exactly what I told the players too. In the Kowloon derby, there is a win for KCDRSC at the Cricket Club, while Wing Go followed up their first win in the season by quickly getting their second, beating a Sun International side who were now winless since early October.

I spend my Monday morning in a meeting with Javier Aguirre and an administrative guy from the Japanese FA. It's ten days from the date that I need to submit my squad for the Under-23's version of the Asian Nations Cup, and they have come to speak to me about the squad and my expectations. They are certainly not prioritising, and are looking only for the side to be competitive at the tournament in Qatar. They will not be letting any of the players based in Europe go to the Middle East, they want to keep the clubs sweet for the Senior squad call ups when the games really matter. They won't be allowing me much in the way of access to the leading eligible players still plying their trade in Japan either, as the season there has just ended and they want them to go on holiday before pre-season starts for the 2016 campaign. So, I'll be left with a short squad, and one that will have a pretty low average age too. Maybe this job isn't the golden ticket I was hoping it might be.

[oche balboa]

Enjoying this so far 

 

 

[neilhoskins77]

17 hours ago, oche balboa said:

Enjoying this so far 

 

 

Good to have you along Oche. Hope you're well, and thanks for reading.

[neilhoskins77]

December 2015 (cont).

It must be the time of year when publications start to collate stats for interesting articles, and some of them do make for a good read as well. The latest one to catch my eye sees the publication name the five best Leagues in World football (Spain, England, Germany, Italy, Brazil), and then rank the clubs that are supplying First Team players to the clubs in the top tier of those countries. There are few surprises, with Manchester United the only English club to make the top ten, and they are lagging behind Real Madrid and Barcelona. Behind those three in the list are Santos, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Internacional, Atletico Paranaense, Valencia and Sao Paulo.

Wednesday night saw two League matches take place, and both ended in 1-1 draws. Fukien's poor start to December continued with a 1-1 home draw against St. Joseph's, while Kui Tan and Islands also drew their match. Our Reserve side will host Kui Tan Reserves on the Saturday before Christmas in a Friendly match, which will produce another chance for our fringe players to show what they can do. Two players who will be hoping to be involved will be wingers Lai Ming Lai, who has just started training again after breaking his ankle at the start of the campaign, and Matthew Nuttall, who has struggled to make an impression since his arrival, and is the latest player to voice his discontent over his lack of First Team opportunities.

That Reserves match took place on Saturday afternoon at our home ground, and all eleven starting players were on the fringes of the First Team squad for the most part. Tso Yu Hei put us in front from the spot early on, and Lai Ming Lai played the opening quarter of the match, before making way for Pui Pak Long, who is further along the road to fitness. In the only other change during the match, Chau Chun Hung, who had started the match playing up front, was replaced by 'grey' Yu Chun Yu, and he went on to score our second goal. That put us ahead for the second time, as our visitors had levelled five minutes earlier. We fell apart in the final stages, and conceded twice in the last five minutes to eventually lose 3-2, but it was a very worthwhile exercise.

Christmas would come early for Third Division fans, as there would be matches on both the 22nd and 23rd of the month, the final action in the League before the festive period would get underway. North District travelled to face Hong Kong Telecom, and after a 2-0 defeat, they would now only have four points from their last fifteen available. Wing Go might now be considering dropping the 'g' out of the team name, as they go into the seasonal period with three wins on the bounce, winning 3-2 at home to King Mountain, who reach Christmas without a win to their name. Kui Tan are struggling to keep pace with the front runners, as they are defeated at the Kowloon Cricket Club. Speaking of the front runners, Ornaments have overtaken Fukien after beating them at home. With C&W not playing, we could now find ourselves with a Christmas bonus if we can win our home match against Hoi King.

Wednesday 23rd December 2015 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground, Sai Kung.
Sai Kung Friends FC v Hoi King Sports Association.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Kwan Chak Fai, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; John Benedict Pereira, Or Kwok Fai; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Siu Ka Ming.
Substitutes :- Darren McEntee, Wan Chi Pan, Luk Hok Man, Zanskar Blair, Ethan Hallberg.

The weather had turned a little over recent days, and it was a very cool evening in front of another very respectable crowd. Darren McEntee is on the bench as Chris Barnett returns from his one game suspension, while Tso Yu Hei is rested after a few games in the side, John Benedict Pereira replacing him, and Luk Hok Man brought into the matchday squad for bench duties. I was keen for us to get off to a good start, but that was so very nearly ruined inside five minutes, as English midfielder Thomas Smith played Ko Chun into space on the left wing. He sent a teasing outswinging cross that ran right through our goalmouth, and was met at the far post by Yip Chi Ho, who crashed it against the post from close range and a very tight angle, though the offside flag was raised as soon as he connected with the ball. We went down the other end and won a corner, which Toby Down floated into the centre, and Chris Barnett rose above his marker and guided a header inside the near post to score for the first time and ease us into a 9th minute lead.

It looked like set pieces were going to be the order of the day, and in the 13th minute, our visitors had one of their own. From a corner kick, Yip Chi Ho sent the ball into the near post area, where Ho Chun Hin flicked it on. The ball went through the crowd of bodies and fell to Ko Chun, who smashed his half volley goalwards, only to bring out a fabulous save from Lee Brown, who kept our lead intact. The same played tried to bury the rebound, but Kwan Chak Fai flung his body in front of the effort. Midway through the half, and Hoi King created another good chance, as Tang Chi Chung cut us open with a superb through ball from the halfway line, and Ko Chun angled his run between Mark Grainger and Kwan Chak Fai to get onto the ball and take it into the box. Brown came out to narrow the angle, and Ko Chun curled it beyond him, but the ball rose too much, and grazed the cross bar on it's way over.

We'd rode our luck a bit there, and in the 28th minute, we twisted the knife a little as we extended our advantage. Pereira found Siu Ka Ming, who had dropped a little deeper to give the midfielders a chance to play the ball to his feet. He held the ball up, and then sent it into the wide right channel, where Tong Chun Yip had the legs on his marker. The winger produced a few tricks, before cutting back inside the defender, and whipping the ball across the goal, where So Chun Ting had far more desire to reach the ball than a slightly lost looking defender, and he slid in his second goal in as many games to push our lead out to two.

It could have three as well. As Hoi King went looking for a goal, Chris Barnett not only made a crucial interception, but his clearance found Toby Down and sent us up the park on a two on one. It looked like Down had blown that by carrying the ball too far forward himself. But with two defenders around him, he managed to squeeze the ball through to an unmarked Siu Ka Ming, who went for the bottom corner, but Cheng Ting Hei pushed the ball away. Hoi King had their own counter attack attempt before the break, as Chiu Yiu Chung sent a ball down the right touchline and found Yip Chi Ho. He got to the byline, and then struck a low cross into the centre, where Ko Chun got in front of Kwan Chak Fai to fire at goal from four yards out. For he second time in the half, Brown flung himself low to his left and kept the ball out once more. And they still weren't done, as Smith sent Ko Chun off on a run against Grainger and Chak Fai, and he squared the ball to Ho Chun Hin who had half a goal to shoot at, but still couldn't place it far enough into the corner to prevent Brown from getting his hands to it, and also clutching the rebound as well.

We had our keeper to thank for still having our lead at the break, and I told the players that I wanted to see them be just as clinical in the second half. We were certainly being more accurate than our visitors, who wasted another chance just moments after the restart, as Chiu Yiu Chung sent in a free kick delivery that Ho Chun Hin brought down on his chest, and then managed to settle enough to shoot, but Or Kwok Fai blocked the balls route to goal. In the 56th minute we would finally pay for allowing Hoi King to create all these chances. Kwan Chak Fai tried to do what Barnett had done earlier, but the ball was cut out, and eventually came to Ko Chun. He sent the ball into the box for Ho Chun Hin, and he shot as Brown came out to him, sliding the ball beyond our keeper and halving our lead.

With over half an hour left, and Hoi King continuing to push forward at every possible opportunity, our lead was starting to look a little brittle. By the 75th minute, they had made two changes, including taking off their goalscorer, as they introduced fresh legs and tried to pile the pressure onto us. They could, even should, have been level a minute after that second change. Or Kwok Fai made poor use of the ball, and back the other way came our red and black clad opponents. Li Chi Ho had to sprint against Lai Ka Fai to get to the ball on the right, but he got there first, and poked it past him and into the wide open space for Ko Chun. He sprinted on into the box, and Brown charged off his line, Ko Chun skipping around him, but narrowing the angle further for himself, and only finding the side netting with his shot to the relief of the home support.

As Chris Barnett picked up a now almost compulsory booking, and Yip Chi Ho stung Lee Brown's hands with a volley, I'd seen enough to realise that some reinforcements were required, and made my changes with just over ten minutes left. Kwan Chak Fai, who had been having a fairly tough afternoon, Or Kwok Fai and Siu Ka Ming were all replaced, as Darren McEntee, Luk Hok Man and Ethan Hallberg all entered the fray. The changes didn't stop Hoi King from creating chances, and Lee Brown from having to work though, as Yip Chi Ho swung in a free kick that Mak Ka Kuen hooked towards goal, and Brown managed to hold onto. It was a fairly rare occurance when we pushed forward, but in the 84th minute we did just that, as Luk Hok Man lifted a pass out wide to Tong Chun Yip, and he centred onto the head of Ethan Hallberg, but his effort bounced back off the upright. With seconds left of the three minutes injury time, Yip Chi Ho curled a corner into our box, but Luk Hok Man empatically volleyed the ball clear, and the ref blew the final whistle.

Sai Kung Friends FC (2) 2 Hoi King Sports Association (0) 1
Scorers :- Chris Barnett (9), So Chun Ting (28)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Kwan Chak Fai (Darren McEntee 79), Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; John Benedict Pereira, Or Kwok Fai (Luk Hok Man 79); Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Siu Ka Ming (Ethan Hallberg 79).
Attendance :- 172. Man of the Match :- Ho Chun Hin (Hoi King).

The stats tell an entirely different story to the scoreline in that match. Our opponents created 26 scoring chances to our 7, and got 10 shots on target to our three. Yet we had 58% of the ball, and the advantage on the stat that mattered most. I cannot explain how Lee Brown was overlooked for the man of the match award, our Captain was superb today, his best performance of the season so far for me. The other games of the day would not affect our League position, there were wins for Islands and St. Joseph's over KCDRSC and Sun International. All told, it would be us who were top of the table on Christmas Day in Hong Kong, holding a one point lead over both North District and C&W District, though the latter had a game in hand on us. It's a fabulous achievement for a club who were not expected to be competitive, and the players and staff celebrated well into the early hours of Christmas Eve. Seasons Greetings from Sai Kung District to you all!

A hangover on Christmas Eve would not cause a problem for me picking Japan's squad for the Under-23 Asian Nations Cup, as the reality was that there would be nothing in the way of choices to make. I submitted a list of 23 players to the Japansese FA, and they allowed ten of them to be included in the squad to fly out to Qatar. That squad would then be supplemented by six 'grey' players. It was hugely disappointing, as I had hoped this tournament and the players I envisaged having at my disposal would have a great shot at winning the tournament, and providing a springboard for my career. That didn't look likely now. I had a 21 year old striker, and a 20 year old winger, both of whom would provide the quality in my side. Outside of that pair, I would have a group of 14 and 15 year old players, who it was expected would be way out of their depth when we came up against opposition of any real quality.

Japan Under-23 Squad for the 2016 Under-23's Asian Nations Cup in Qatar.

| Name              | Position        | Age      | Club       | Height   | Value    | Caps     | Goals    |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Yutaka Oyamada    | GK              | 18       |            | 5'10"    | £0       | 0        | 0        |
| Ayumu Tomita      | GK              | 18       |            | 5'9"     | £0       | 0        | 0        |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Akira Shibasaki   | D (R)           | 14       | Grampus    | 5'10"    | £12.5K   | 0        | 0        |
| Shôhei Hayashi    | D (RL), WB (L)  | 14       | Urawa Reds | 5'5"     | £27K     | 0        | 0        |
| Yoshinobu Iwao    | D (L)           | 15       | F Marinos  | 5'10"    | £14.75K  | 0        | 0        |
| Ken'ya Baba       | D (C)           | 18       |            | 5'10"    | £0       | 0        | 0        |
| Toshiya Tsubouchi | D (C)           | 18       |            | 5'10"    | £0       | 0        | 0        |
| Dan Hotta         | D (C), DM, M (C)| 14       | Trinita    | 5'9"     | £7.75K   | 0        | 0        |
| Kazuki Muraoka    | D/WB (R)        | 15       | Ardija     | 5'5"     | £18K     | 0        | 0        |
| Shingo Muraoka    | D/WB/M (L)      | 15       | FC Tokyo   | 5'11"    | £24.5K   | 0        | 0        |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Kô Sowa           | DM, M (C)       | 14       | Frontale   | 5'7"     | £14.5K   | 0        | 0        |
| Seiya Kawauchi    | M (L)           | 18       |            | 5'10"    | £0       | 0        | 0        |
| Mitsuo Shinohara  | M (L)           | 18       |            | 6'0"     | £0       | 0        | 0        |
| Shoya Tojo        | M/AM (R)        | 20       | Sanfrecce  | 5'6"     | £250K    | 0        | 0        |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Kôsuke Kinoshita  | ST (C)          | 21       | S-Pulse    | 6'1"     | £150K    | 0        | 0        |
| Naoki Okuyama     | ST (C)          | 15       | Antlers    | 5'6"     | £27.5K   | 0        | 0        |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


*18 year old players are Grey. Caps and Goals columns refer to Senior Appearances only. 

 

[neilhoskins77]

December 2015 (cont).

The squad we had to take to Qatar left me with a decision to make. Do I play the genuine players knowing that some will have to be played out of position, or do I welcome the 'greys' into the fold, treat them like the Senior and Youth players who have clubs, and let them fight for their spot on merit? We face the Uzbekistan squad first, and they do not look particularly strong, so we'll be hoping to get a campaign of to a good start for the one match we're currently scheduled to play in the Losail Iconic Stadium, an almost brand new venue with a perfect grass surface and a capacity of over 86,000, though it will likely be virtually desserted when we visit. From there, we'll move onto Doha, where we play two matches at the now badly in need of updating Khalifa International Stadium, which has a capacity of 50,000 and the kind of poor quality surface my players in Hong Kong are used to. We face the defending Champions from Iraq there first of all, and their squad that has called upon players from some top clubs in the Middle East. At the same venue four days later, we will finish the Group against Vietnam, who have picked a squad that is almost entirely domestic based, the one exception being a centre back who is playing in Australia. The final match is expected to be a huge match, where we will likely need a result to progress in the Tournament. The players report to the hotel for International duty on the penultimate day of the year, and will travel on to Qatar in due course.

On that very same evening, the final games of 2015 were taking place in Hong Kong's Third Division. We were hoping to still be the leaders going into the New Year, but that particular honour would be denied us, as C&W District took top spot themselves with a 2-0 home victory over Kowloon Cricket Club in the game in hand they held over us. They would start 2016 with a two point lead at the top, and we would be hoping to close that gap when we started the New Year with an away match against the club going into the New Year propping up the Division, HKFYG, who ended the year beaten 3-0 at Kui Tan. The next round of games would mark the halfway point of the season as well, and so far, it was a season that was looking very good for us. I was starting to believe we might actually be able to keep pace with the clubs at the top, and maybe even bank that £500k at the end of the season with a shock promotion. I'd already decided that if we did that, I was going to ask the Chairman if he would be prepared to make us a full time professional club. That's if theres any money to do so. The media have now started describing the club as debt ridden. We start the year just over £20k overdrawn.

January 2016.

Or Kwok Fai is named in the Division's Team of the Month. Last time out aside, he has been superb for us this season, especially given he was only brought in as cover initially. He has manouvered himself ahead of several players who were thought to be ahead of him in the early stages of the season. His competition is likely to decrease this month as well, as preparations begin to move on or release some of the players on the First Team fringes. That process is going to start in the next few days, and our Under-18 side will play Hoi King Reserves on the weekend in a hastily arranged fixture. As it's a Friendly match, we can play whoever we like, and that will give some more players another chance to have a run out and put forward their case to stay. The player cuts are coming.

Despite the ongoing cashflow situation, the Board are now declaring themselves absolutely delighted with my overall performance, our performance in the League contributing to a 90% satisfaction rating from the men in suits. The surprising other factor is 91% for my control over the finances, despite the club slipping further into the red, with the Board expressing their gratitude over the budget being managed. Their only concern is the form of Zanskar Blair. This was mentioned a few months ago, and then the attention focussed elsewhere. I stuck up for him that time, but I have now realised that Blair is struggling to the point where he is becoming a passenger. He is a fairly big earner with us as well, so that is likely to be a situation that will be addressed soon. 34 year old striker, Ho Chi Wing is back in training, and it won't be too long before he is starting to pressure Ethan Hallberg and Siu Ka Ming for a place in the First Team matchday squad again.

Saturday 2nd January 2016 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Morse Park Artificial Pitch, Wong Tai Sin.
Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups v Sai Kung Friends FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; Tso Yu Hei, Or Kwok Fai, Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Kwan Chak Fai, Wan Chi Pan, John Benedict Pereira, Shaan Nanik, Siu Ka Ming.

We're heavy favourites for this game, despite that the fact that our away form is not especially impressive. Darren McEntee is recalled and replaces Kwan Chak Fai in the middle of the back four. John Benedict Pereira is on the bench as Tso Yu Hei returns to the starting lineup, while up front, there is a recall for Ethan Hallberg as he switches places with Siu Ka Ming. On the bench, there is a place for Shaan Nanik, as Zanskar Blair is left out of the matchday squad altogether and made available for tomorrow's Under-18's match instead.

HKFYG are bottom of the table, but they didn't start like a team that were struggling. When Chris Barnett conceded a free kick just near the corner of our penalty box early on, Tong Chung Ming curled it into the middle, and Lui Wai Kan met it with a half volley that left Lee Brown with no chance, and we were behind with just 45 seconds on the clock. Far from being rattled, we went straight back down the other end in an attempt to get back on terms. An attempted clearance only found Darren McEntee on the halfway line, and he sent the ball upfield towards Ethan Hallberg. He battled for the ball with Chung Siu Tin, and the ball eventually rolled free of the two, and into the path of Tso Yu Hei. From 25 yards out, and with very little backlift, he took an early low shot that caught out Liu Wang Kit, and found the back of the net, to level the match just 64 seconds after we went behind, and score his first Senior goal for the club.

If that quick equaliser was supposed to knock the fight and spirit out of our hosts, it failed miserably, as ten minutes later, we were behind once more. Fung Pak Sum did the hold up work on the edge of the box initially, and laid the ball off to Tsang King Keung. His attempted shot was blocked, and spun across the edge of the box to Lam Oi Man, and his effort was heading wide until Barnett stuck out his foot, and the ball went right to Fung Pak Sum ten yards out, and he sent the ball low into the bottom corner to put HKFYG back in front. It took us a little bit longer to get ourselves back level this time, but we got the job done for a second time just eight minutes after that goal. Mark Grainger sent the ball down the right flank for Tong Chun Yip. His cross wasn't a very good one, and didn't beat the first man, but Lee Wai Lok made a real mess of whatever he was trying to do with the ball, and knocked it back towards his own goal with no pace on the ball. Hallberg was quick of the mark, beat the keeper to the ball, and drilled it low across goal and inside the far post to level the scores at two.

If the first half had been entertaining, the second had been anything but, and HKFYG were certainly feeling the pace of their fixture schedule, as they had made all three changes by the 51st minute, and still had players who were struggling on the park. We had a bit more in the tank, and I decided to introduce a pair of fresh legs in the 72nd minute to turn the screw a bit more. Tso Yu Hei and Toby Down came off, and John Benedict Pereira and Shaan Nanik came on in their place. The impact was fairly swift, as in the 78th minute, Lai Ka Fai took a short throw in on the left to Shaan Nanik, and he fed it to the corner of the box for So Chun Ting. He tried a curled cross into the centre, but the ball hit Tong Chun Yip on the back, fortunately falling for Nanik, who hit a sweet first time placed shot past the keeper and gave us the lead for the first time.

It was certainly a case of what we had, I would like us to keep hold of, and make sure that HKFYG couldn't do to us, what we had already done to them twice. I made a quick change, brining on Kwan Chak Fai at centre back to keep our defence focused, but to be fair, the hosts looked too leg weary to cause us much of a problem in the latter stages, and we kept that lead through to the final whistle to start the year with a nice little victory.

Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (2) 2 Sai Kung Friends FC (2) 3
Scorers :- Tso Yu Hei (2), Ethan Hallberg (20), Shaan Nanik (78).
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee (Kwan Chak Fai 80), Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; Tso Yu Hei (John Benedict Pereira 72), Or Kwok Fai, Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down (Shaan Nanik 72), So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Attendance :- 40. Man of the Match :- Tso Yu Hei (Sai Kung Friends).

There was plenty to be happy about after that match. Firstly, we crossed the 60% mark for possession, actually ending up with 63%, quite some achievement away from home, regardless of it being against the bottom club. That was the first time we had managed three goals in a competitive match, and the fifth match in a row where we scored at least twice. We are certainly becoming a bit more free scoring of late. And finally, that is the first time we've won a match that we have been behind in. As I said, some big positives to start of 2016.

There has to be a word for Shaan Nanik as well. In the past I have gone on record as saying he could be legitimately disgruntled at his lack of opportunities, and with cuts imminent, he has just eanred himself a lifeline by coming off the bench and bagging the winner in that match. Even though I won't be here for all of them, there is a string of games coming up, and Nanik will get his chance to show that he can bring something to the party that we're all hoping will end in promotion.

And those hopes have been raised a little higher, as our nearest challengers both lose 2-1 at home, C&W District losing to Hong Kong Telecom, while North District are beaten by a resurgent Wing Go side. There was a fourth away win of the day by St. Josephs as they beat King Mountain. The obligatory draw was produced by Hoi King and KCDRSC. Those results leave us one point clear at the top of the League with half of our fixtures played, with C&W District our nearest challengers. Third place is now occupied by Hong Kong Telecom, as their win sees them overtake North District, who are showing signs of flagging.

[neilhoskins77]

January 2016 (cont).

On Sunday morning, as the players made available for the 'Under-18's' side to face Hoi King Reserves made their way to the ground, three players were being called into my office at Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground. The trio were told that they would not be part of the squad for today's match, and in fact, they would not be part of any further squads with Sai Kung Friends FC, as their involvement with the club was now terminated with immediate effect. One of the very few benefits of the way our Board decided to do business as far as contracts were concerned, was that I could tear them up without a reason or the need for any compensation to be paid to the players. That may seem slightly harsh, but it is what it is, and there seems no point in continuing to pay players who are surplus to requirements and not getting the job done. When Matthew Nuttall arrived, the Canadian winger was expected to lock down the right wing spot. Instead, he has been overtaken by Tong Chun Yip, and with Lai Ming Lai on his way back from injury too, Nuttall is released to find another club. The other two who leave are from the other end of the park. Li Ling Him was shuffled down the pecking order when Darren McEntee arrived, and when Poon Sing Yam was acquired, his days were numbered. Chinese right back Hu Ze'an failed to make an appearance in a competitive match for us, and was pretty vocal about his desire to leave. With Mark Grainger in fine form, plus Liam Key and Lai Ka Kai able to play in that role too, Ze'an now has his wish to seek football opportunities elsewhere.

When the football did eventually commence in Sai Kung, our cobbled together mix of players took a 1-0 win over the visitors, and Lai Ming Lai continued his return to fitness by netting the only goal of the match with a screamer from 20 yards out midway through the first half. He played a half of football, as did Ho Chi Wing, while there were full ninety minute outings for the likes of Wan Chi Pan, Poon Sing Yam, Liam Key, Shaan Nanik, Zanskar Blair and Luk Hok Man. Later in the day there was a pair of Third Division matches taking place, and both would have an impact on the promotion race, as victories for Ornaments and Fukien kept them in touch, and lifted both above North District, who had now dropped to 6th spot. Fukien would be our next opponents as well. The defeated clubs on this Sunday of League action were Kui Tan and Sun International respectively.

On Monday morning, the Transfer Window would be flung wide open, and we would have the opportunity to use the office at the Sports Ground in the next three and a half weeks or so to host some contract signings for our promotion push. But before that, the office would be the scene of the fourth contract to be torn up. Zanskar Blair came to the office after training to speak out as to how embarrassed he was that he'd been put into the Under-18's match that weekend, rather than being part of the First Team squad, where he believed he was justifying his place. It didn't help the mood in the office too much when I pointed out to my disgruntled forward that in five appearances so far, he had made just six dribbles, no assists, and just two tackles. I threw in the last one to cover my back in case he remembered that I had played him in the middle for a spell. I reminded him that he was one of the best paid players at the club, and told him he had failed to justify his appearance money as far as I was concerned, and that he could leave with immediate effect, which I imagined would be slightly more embarrassing that playing for the Under'18's. He left the ground, and the club, right away. He won't be too much of a miss. In two days, I had saved us around £300 a week in appearance fee's, and that was before bonus and substitute money was taken into account. I would imagine the Board would be delighted with that.

Wednesday 6th January 2016 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Kowloon Tsai Park Sports Ground Pitch No.2, Kowloon City.
Fukien Athletic Club v Sai Kung Friends FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; Tso Yu Hei, Or Kwok Fai; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Kwan Chak Fai, Wan Chi Pan, John Benedict Pereira, Shaan Nanik, Siu Ka Ming.

It's very rare, if at all, I have a chance to leave the side untouched from one game to the next, but that has happened here, and the side that won at HKFYG last time out is selected again for the trip to Kowloon City to face Fukien, as the second half of the season gets underway. Not only that, but the subs remain as they are too.

Not that any of that helped our start at all. Mok Wing Kwai played a neat one-two with Lo Ka Ho on the right side, the return pass putting him into a good position in the the right channel of our penalty box. He stepped back inside Lai Ka Fai, but his attempt to centre the ball was deflected off our defender, and forced Chow Kam Fung to check his run and take the ball with his back to goal. He improvised to solve the problem, squaring the ball onto the right foot of Ng Zi Jin, who curled his finish out of Lee Brown's reach and into the top corner of the net. Fukien were ahead with less than 10 minutes on the clock.

With ten minutes to go in the first half, our hosts tried to double their lead, as Lo Ka Ho made a good run on the right once more, and sent his cross into the near post area, where this time he picked out Chow Kam Fung, who brought the ball down and fired towards goal, Chris Barnett doing a good job to block the shot and get it behind and out of immediate danger. Moments later, Darren McEntee had to produce a perfectly timed sliding tackle just inside the box to prevent Ng Zi Jin from getting another shot away.

'I need to see some more from you all' I told my players at the break. We were struggling to get into any rythym at all as an attacking unit, and things didn't improve particularly in the second half. It was a bit of a relief when Ng Zi Jin was substituted midway through the second half, but it didn't really make any difference to the way we were playing. In the 72nd minute, I made all three changes, as much as to shake things up as to bring on some fresh legs. McEntee, Or Kwok Fai and Toby Down were replaced by Kwan Chak Fai, John Benedict Pereira and Shaan Nanik. But it brought us nothing, and we are handed just our second defeat of the season.

Fukien Athletic Club (1) 1 Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 0
Scorers :- None.
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee (Kwan Chak Fai 72), Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; Tso Yu Hei, Or Kwok Fai (John Benedict Pereira 72); Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down (Shaan Nanik 72), So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Attendance :- 28. Man of the Match :- Ng Zi Jin (Fukien).

57% possession in that game, but not a single shot on target. It's not a good day at the office, and we'll need to put that one behind us quickly if we don't want to get into a spell of bad form and fall off the pace. Now that the money situations is public knowledge, the questions start to come about my relationship with Chairman at the club, Chow Kin Wai. With the top man supporting my efforts so far, there was never any danger of me saying anything other than positives about him, and I told the press that there were no issues between us, and that we were working together to try and push the club forward.

As it went, on a day where there weren't too many goals in the League, there was not too much damage done by our defeat. North District got back to winning ways with a 3-0 win at home to St. Josephs, while Hong Kong Telecom were held at home, a 1-1 draw with Wing Go. There was a 1-0 away win for Kui Tan against Sun International, as they looked to push themselves back into contention. KCDRSC kept HKFYG rooted to the foot of the table, beating them 1-0, while Islands and Kowloon Cricket Club drew one each. Gold and Silver Ornaments would become the biggest threat, as they won 2-1 away to King Mountain on Thursday evening, meaning they would join us now on 28 points. King Mountain are our next League opponents on Sunday, and I'm scheduled to leave for Qatar on the Friday as Japan Under-23's open their campaign on Tuesday. There is a coaching group out in the Middle East already, and they have a good schedule planned out for the players, leaving me able to delay my flight out there until after our League match on Sunday.

[neilhoskins77]

January 2016 (cont).

Our District rivals, Sai Kung FC, are not having a good time of it one tier above us in the Second Division. Midway through the campaign, they have just six points, and are joint bottom of the twelve team Division that we're hoping to be part of next season. Law Kwok Ho has been sacked, and Lau Ka Ming takes over in a caretaker role. Back with our own squad, 20 year old left back So Siu Ki wants to discuss his lack of First Team football. He has conveniently ignored the fact that he has featured in nearly half our League matches this season, so I decided to do the same, and told him that he needs to remember that he has an experienced Lai Ka Fai in front of him in the queue, and he can't expect to jump right past him and become a starter. He quickly saw it my way, and agreed to get his head down and focus on his football. Early January see's the Asian Football Confederation release the new rankings for the Leagues and Cups in the continent. Our current level of Division Three in Hong Kong remains ranked 140th, just below Nepal's 'D Division' and one spot ahead of Indonesia's Nuswantara Amateur League. In fact, Hong Kong's University Football League is five places ahead of us. If that doesn't provide motivation to get promoted....

I didn't have the opportunity to pay too close attention to Saturday's matches, there were last minute club issues to take care of, and preparations to be made for the trip out to Qatar tomorrow. If I had been watching more closely, I would have been very happy with what I saw, as C&W District lost 3-2 at home to Hoi King, while North District were beaten at home by Kui Tan, who came away with a 2-1 win. Sun International got a win on the board, a 1-0 home victory over KCDRSC, while there was another defeat for HKYFG, who lost at home to Islands. So a very favourable set of results for us, and if we could get a win over a King Mountain side who hadn't managed a three pointer so far this season, it would be a very good weekend for us. It would have been a fantastic weekend before we even got to Sunday if my unlikely transfer target had agreed to come to us. Sadly, 14 times capped midfielder, Bai He, had considerably more attractive offers on the table, and has instead signed for Premier League club South China, where he would actually have a contract and a guarenteed wage. However, we would have a new addition to the weekend's squad. Well, maybe new wasn't the right word, but one of my first signings when I arrived here last summer was 26 year old diminutive Russian midfielder, Sasha Palatnikov, and his worldwide ban from football is now over, and he is available for this weekend's match. Obviously, he will be lacking in match sharpness, but he will certainly add to the squad.

Sunday 10th January 2016 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Tsang Tai Uk Playground, Sha Tin.
King Mountain v Sai Kung Friends FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; Tso Yu Hei, Or Kwok Fai; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Kwan Chak Fai, Wan Chi Pan, Sasha Palatnikov, Shaan Nanik, Siu Ka Ming.

Another unchanged starting lineup for a match we are big favourites to win. In fact, the only change to the matchday squad is the addition of Sasha Palatnikov to the substitutes bench, which has come at the expense of Portuguese midfielder, John Benedict Pereira, who is rested today. Darren McEntee picked up a booking just five minutes into the game, but things were much better just a few minutes later. Tso Yu Hei worked hard in midfield to keep possession with two players nipping at his heels, and he managed to get the ball in the general direction of Ethan Hallberg. The Swedish striker showed some tenacity to keep us going forward, executing a sliding tackle that got the ball to the right wing and allowed Tong Chun Yip a run at his marker. He went for the outside, and got to the dead ball line, before standing up a cross towards the back post. It cleared almost everyone, the almost excluding our 5'3 tall winger So Chun Ting, not noted for his aerial prowess, but gaining some plaudits for directing the ball onto goal with a firm effort, Chi Chi Sun only able to help the ball on it's way into the top corner and we were in front.

The goal came at a price however, as Tso Yu Hei injured himself in the build up, and after a short period of treatment for a knee injury, he was taken off the park, which meant that our Russian midfielder Sasha Palatnikov would be called upon for his debut much quicker than would have been ideal. Our early indiscipline continued as well, with Mark Grainger's late tackle on a quarter of an hour earning him a yellow card too. Still, if we picked up goals at the rate we were picking up cards, I'd be happy, and that strike rate continued in the 26th minute. So Chun Ting was involved again as he ghosted by a pair of players on the left, and then sent the ball inside to Toby Down. He squared it across the park to Palatnikov, who picked out a first time pass to a suspiciously offise looking Tong Chun Yip. The winger didn't wait for the flag, and dispatched the ball low past Chi Chi Sun, his first goal for the club, and Palatnikov picking up a quick assist. The replay seemed to show that Chun Yip was indeed half a yard offside.

Spurred on by a sense of injustice, the League's only winless club hit right back at us, and they did so in style too. Leung Chi Hin picked out Yeung Wing Chung near the corner of the box. He dropped his shoulder to earn himself a bit of space against Grainger, and then unleashed a right footed curling shot from 20 yards out that curled away from Lee Brown's reach and found the net. A sublime effort from him, and King Mountain were right back in the match. The two goal cushion should have been restored in the 38th minute, McEntee sending the ball long upfield from the right touchline, and Wang Zhihao made a bit of a mess of trying to flick his header back on towards his keeper or centre back partner. He managed neither, and Hallberg raced onto the ball and went through on goal, but dragged his shot well wide of the target.

Our hosts started the second half with some attacking intent as they tried to get themselves back on level terms. After a good spell of play where they dragged our defence back and forth across the park several times, Ng Ka Chung sent in a left wing cross that picked out Yeung Wing Chung, who was able to climb higher than McEntee, but saw his header come back off the cross bar before Chris Barnett hooked it out of danger. King Mountain made a couple of changes to their side, and Toby Down took the opportunity to find someone new to kick, handing us out third yellow card of the afternoon. On the hour, home skipper Lau Pak Wong wasn't very careful when trying to clear from near the corner flag, and the ball went right to Or Kwok Fai. He slipped the pass to Down, who should have shot himself as he got into the box, but instead played it to Tong Chun Yip. The winger hit the net for the second time in the match, but this time was correctly flagged, as he was well offside.

As King Mountain started to visibly run out of steam, I used my two remaining subs to try and kill off the game, Or Kwok Fai came off, Shaan Nanik replacing him, which required Toby Down to move into the centre of midfield. At the same time, Ethan Hallberg was replaced by Siu Ka Ming. We were almost kept out just seconds later, as Kwok Chi Fung tried an ambitious effort from range that Brown didn't see until late, fortunately it came back off his post. We held off our game hosts after that, the closest they came was in stoppage time, when Kwok Chi Fung was played into space on the right, but aagain attempted a shot from a difficult area, this one wildly off target. I could leave for Qatar with a win under our belts.

King Mountain (1) 1 Sai Kung Friends FC (2) 2
Scorers :- So Chun Ting (8), Tong Chun Yip (26)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; Tso Yu Hei (inj - Sasha Palatnikov 9), Or Kwok Fai (Shaan Nanik 72); Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg (Siu Ka Wing 72).
Attendance :- 36. Man of the Match :- Yeung Wing Chung (King Mountain).

It wasn't great news for either Tso Yu Hei or us, though it could have been much worse. He twisted his knee in the build up to that opening goal, and will now miss the next month or so of football. It's a shame that it's happened as he was hitting good form after forcing his way into the First Team, but it will now give John Benedict Pereira and Sasha Palatnikov the opportunity to fight for a spot in the lineup. The latter earned good reviews after stepping in on Sunday afternoon, and getting an assist on his return to football will no doubt lift his spirits even further. Those two midfielders will now be hoping to try and earn a starting spot in the team that is now back on top of the League again, though Ornaments do have a game in hand on us. In the days only other game, Wing Go and St. Josephs play out a goalless draw. For me, it was a trip straight to airport to get on a flight out to Qatar, where I would need to catch up on the squad's preparations, and some changes in playing staff that had occurred in my absence.

[neilhoskins77]

January 2016 (cont).

Don't get me wrong, it can be very warm and humid in Hong Kong. But when I landed in Lusail and joined the squad, it was immediately a different kind of heat. The kind of heat that makes it difficult to breath clearly for an out of shape football manager. The staff assured me that the players were aclimatising nicely, and they would be ready for Tuesday's opening match of the Group against Uzbekistan in the modern Losail Iconic Stadium. This small sovereign country is situated on a peninsula of the Persian Gulf, and they are experienced hosts of football tournaments. I would be kept in touch with daily matters back in Hong Kong by text and email, and on my first full day in Qatar, I'm told that both Shaun Melwani and Lai Kwok Kwan have returned to training with the First Team after their injuries.

In Qatar, the 6 eighteen year old 'grey' players I had been promised to supplement my squad of ten Senior/Youth players had not made the trip. The good news was that they had been replaced by nine 17 year olds in their place. It didn't fill all the gaps in the squad, but it helped a bit. I would have the Japan age group side playing the same formation and tactics that I had deployed all season at Sai Kung Friends. I realised it was going to take more than just a few days training to get the lads up to speed on a brand new set of tactics, but the Japanese FA did say their expectations were not particularly high.

The hosts kick off the tournament with a 1-0 win over Australia in Doha. It's interesting that their match is being staged at a much smaller venue than the other stadiums being used in this tournament. They play at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium, which has a capacity of 13,000. Not that the spectators who did go wouldn't have had plenty of room, as only 29 people watched the match. At the same time as that match was going ahead, our Group was also starting across Doha in the much larger Khalifa International Stadium. 105 people attended that one, but they were not treated to a goal, as Vietnam and Iraq drew 0-0. Not a huge shock as the match was played in temperatures around the mid 30's in celsius. That left us with an opportunity to move into a good early position if we could start with a win against Uzbekistan.

Tuesday 12th January 2016 - AFC Under-23 Asian Nations Cup, Group C.
Losail Iconic Stadium, Lusail, Qatar.
Japan Under-23's v Uzbekistan Under-23's.
(4-2-3-1) :- Ryugo Aoyagi; Kazuki Muraoka, Tomohiro Kitauchi, Dan Hotta, Yoshinobi Iwao (capt); Yoshikazu Onizuka, Ko Sowa; Shoya Tojo, Naoki Okuyama, Shingo Muraoka; Kosuke Kinoshita.
Substitutes :- Akira Shibasake, Shuzo Wakabayashi, Akihiko Otomo, Shohei Hayashi, Tetsuya Hirano, Katsushiro Obayashi, Masayoshi Nagira, Takanori Minagawa.

There are three 'greys' included in the starting lineup for the match, as it was either that or play some Senior/Youth players out of position. I still had to do a bit of that as well, as with no attacking midfielder, 15 year old striker Naoki Okuyama would play in the support role behind our main striker. I didn't have a left winger either, so had to go with Shingo Muraoka, who is generally a wing back, but will now play much further up the park for us. There is little in the way of depth on the bench either, as both the players who were actually made available by the Japanese FA and not selected in the first eleven, are defenders.

It had a sligtly eery feel, playing in that huge stadium with so few people there, though it was the largest attendance of the day in the tournament. Thankfully, that meant there wasn't much noise when we fell behind in the 12th minute. Ozod Ochilov split our defence open with a pass through to the feet of Baxromjon Seytnazarov. Our defenders converged upon him, which only left him an easy pass to Sunnat Norqobilov, who sidefooted home from 12 yards out to find the net.

After a slow start, that goal saw us get our heads right back in the game, and nearly get an immediate headed equaliser. Shoya Tojo, widely regarded as the best player available to us, tricked his way past a marker and swept a cross into the middle, where he found the head of our other more experienced player, Kosuke Kinoshita, who's glanced header drifted just the wrong side of the post. As we hauled ourselves back into the match, we were almost caught out just before the break by the same combination that provided the goal for the Uzbeks. A free kick delivery by Shingo Muraoka was headed back towards him, but he lost out to Seytnazarov, who stretched his legs and moved down the touchline, before lifting the ball over our rapidly retreating defenders, and picked out Norqobilov, who moved towards the edge of the box, Ryugo Aoyago moved out to close the angle, and the ball flashed past him, but fortunately, just past the upright too.

With little in the way of options to work with from the bench, I told the players that I wanted to see them continue their hard work in the second half, and that if they did that, they would get their rewards. When the reward didn't arrive midway through the half, I made a change, removing skipper Yoshinobu Iwao, and pushed Shingo Muraoka back into a more familar left back spot, freeing up the left wing area for Katushiro Obayashi to come on. The 17 year old looked keen for the ball too, and we started to get a little more possession in attacking areas, and creating some more chances. In the 73rd minute the ball was played from the left with Tojo, and gradually moved across the park, through Kazuki Muraoka, then Yoshikazu Onizuka, and onto young Ko Sowa. He sidefooted a pass to the recently arrived Obayashi, and he drilled a shot across goal that bounced away off the outside of the post. Husniddin Suyunov hooked it clear when it looked like Onizuka was going to bury the loose ball.

A few minutes later, we finally got that reward that I had spoken about at the break. He wouldn't get an assist, but there was no doubt who was the catalyst, as Shoya Tojo's run down the right wing was top drawer. He walked the touchline like a tightrope, and hurdled a desperate challenge to stop him from Zufarjon Zabirov. His cross into the centre was headed back out of the box by Suyunov, but it went right to Onizuka. With a defender charging him down, he calmly squared it to 14 year old midfielder Ko Sowa, who took a touch with his left foot to tee the ball up, and then cracked a right footed 20 yard shot through the defence and into the top corner to level up the match.

With just a few minutes left on the clock, I made a second change, Onizuka had run himself into the ground, and was replaced by Masayoshi Nagira in centre midfield. There was still time on the clock for one of the sides to win it, and as the seconds wound down, and the clock hit 90 minutes, Davron Xamidov sent across an inswinging corner that Suyonov climbed highest to meet, his header beating the outstretched hand of Aoyagi, and bouncing back down off the underside of the cross bar, narrowly avoiding the body of the prone keeper, and the spin taking the ball over the dead ball line and out to safety. We deserved that point, but it was so nearly taken away from us right at the end.

Japan Under-23's (0) 1 Uzbekistan Under-23's (1) 1
Scorers :- Ko Sowa (76)
Ryugo Aoyagi; Kazuki Muraoka, Tomohiro Kitauchi, Dan Hotta, Yoshinobi Iwao (capt - Katsushiro Obayashi 68); Yoshikazu Onizuka (Masayoshi Nagira 86), Ko Sowa; Shoya Tojo, Naoki Okuyama, Shingo Muraoka; Kosuke Kinoshita.
Attendance :- 273. Man of the Match :- Shoya Tojo (Japan Under-23's).

What a moment for Ko Sowa, to score a goal like that, at his age, and at a major Continental wide age group tournament as well. He had today become the tournament's youngest ever player. I was over the moon for the lad. As for Shoya Tojo, well, I was already trying to work out how to persuade the lad to leave Japan and play his club football in Sai Kung instead. So far the best option appeared to be dispensing with persuasion and go right in for blatant kidnapping instead. His performance had been outstanding, and I could only hope that he produce more of the same in the remaining Group games to give us a shot of getting into the knockout stages, where as we all know, anything can happen. With both games in the Group ending in 1-1 draws, there was all to play for, though we knew our next match would provide a stern test, as we would move to Doha and face the defending Champions from two years ago, Iraq.

[neilhoskins77]

January 2016 (cont).

Back in Hong Kong, on the Wednesday evening, there were three League matches taking place. It's not easy following games from that level online, especially with time zones and when you're travelling in the Middle East to change cities in a tournament. In the end, I just waited for the email to arrive, and when it did, I was informed there were new leaders of Division Three, as a pair of second half goals from Wo Kwong Yuen had guided Ornaments to a 2-0 lead away to Hong Kong Telecom, and sent them above us on goal difference to top the Division. I had the feeling there would be quite a few more changes of leader to come in the run in. It wasn't all bad news, as C&W District were held 1-1 at home by Islands, a result that left them three points behind ourselves, and in danger of being passed by Fukien, who held a game in hand. Hoi King had played as well, and were now level on points with C&W after thumping Kowloon Cricket Club, 4-0. At this point, with most clubs now having thirteen games remaining, there were just ten points between the top ten clubs.

Still in Hong Kong, and clubs were starting to show their hand as the Transfer Window moved along, with North District in particular struggling to keep hold of their star performers, as some clubs from higher up the food chain came calling at their door and tried to convince them to move on. From what I have seen, there doesn't appear to be a huge gap between the three Divisions from the First down to the Third. Clubs are able to be competitive after moving up a League, last seasons Champions at our level, Tung Sing, are currently fourth in the Second Division, and just four points from a promotion place. That makes players more inclined to consider moving down a League or two if they are not getting their game on a regular basis at a higher level. Despite not being in the country, that doesn't mean I have taken my eye off the ball as far as Sai Kung Friends are concerned. No sir. The Scouts are working long days, and I'm being sent files on prospective new signings almost by the hour. So far, apart from the midfielder we missed out on, there isn't anyone that I thought would really improve us, but there is plenty of time left in this Window. The backroom team that are not scouting are in the final stages of preparations for Saturday afternoons home League match with Sun International. In Qatar, there isn't a huge amount of training being done, rest is very much the order of the day for the squad ready for the quick turnaround into game two of the Group.

Friday 15th January 2016 - AFC Under-23 Asian Nations Cup, Group C.
Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar.
Iraq Under-23's v Japan Under-23's.
(4-2-3-1) :- Ryugo Aoyagi; Kazuki Muraoka, Tomohiro Kitauchi, Dan Hotta, Yoshinobu Iwao (capt); Yoshikazu Onizuka, Ko Sowa; Shoya Tojo, Naoki Okuyama, Shingo Muraoka; Kosuke Kinoshita.
Substitutes :- Akira Shibasaki, Shuzo Wakabayashi, Akihiko Otomo, Shohei Hayashi, Tetsuya Hirano, Katsushiro Obayashi, Masayoshi Nagira, Takanori Minagawa.

Despite kicking off two hours earlier in the day in Doha than we did earlier in the week in Lusail, it's considerably cooler in the capital city, with the temperature at kick off more around the mid 20's, compared to the low 30's we experienced in our first match. That made a slight factor in my decision to keep the starting lineup exactly the same as it had been for the draw against Uzbekistan. I didn't have any obvious options to improve the side from the bench, so I stuck with what I had.

We started very cautiously on the poor surface, and would pay an early price for that. After a series of short passes, we were caught when Sahib Abbas unexpectedly swung the ball out wide to Abdul Razzaq, who took the ball on his left foot and pushed it past Yoshinobu Iwao, all in one swift motion. He quickly delivered a cross towards the edge of the box, and found Abbas, who had time to bring the ball down. Both our centre backs moved to him, leaving Ahmed Rasul unmarked, and he collected the pass and slotted home with his left foot, squuezing the ball between the near post and Ryugo Aoyagi.

Just past the half hour mark, Rasul showed he is equally adept with his right foot, collecting a short pass from Abbas near the edge of the box, rolling his defender, and firing off a shot that Ryugo Aoyagi managed to push away, but not to safety. Razzaq got to the loose ball, and from the most acute of angles, tried to curl it in with the outside of his right boot, but Aoyagi had recovered well, and pushed that one aside as well. Rasul had another chance before the break, pulling away from his marker to connect with a corner from Razzaq, but his header was caught fairly comfortably by Aoyagi. In fact, the only upper hand we did manage in the first half was bookings, as half our back four got to the break with yellow cards next to their name, Tomohiro Kitauchi and Yoshinobu Iwao. We only created one shooting chance, good play on the left saw the ball sent into Ko Sowa in the middle, who quickly sent it on to Yoshikazu Onizuka. He got past a challenge and continued his run forward, shooting from 20 yards out, by Mohammed Hameed caught it fairly easily.

Iraq made a change at the break, where we left things as they were. The bench would need to be used today more than it had been in our opening game, but I wanted to try and leave it till later in the match when we could try and get some fresh legs opposing tiring opponents. Saad Huseein Atthab tried to get Iraq on even terms in the booking stakes, as he saw a yellow card within a few minutes of the restart, and with ten minutes of the second half played, our opponents used their second sub. We reasserted our advantage in the refs notebook when Yoshikazu Onizuka had his name taken for a foul. Iraq used their final change in the 63rd minute, replacing the player who had only just come on at the break for no apparent reason. At the same time, we made our first change, Ko Sowa taken off, and Masayoshi Nagira came on in midfield.

His impact would be almost instant. Shoya Tojo hustled back to take the ball off Rasul, and we got ourselves going forward. Naoki Okuyama got the ball back out wide to Tojo, and despite the attention of two defenders, he managed to step inside them and send the ball to Onizuka. He attempted to send a through ball into the path of Okuyama, but Mahdi Kamel got a toe to the ball with a sliding tackle. The loose ball ran into the path of Masayoshi Nagira, and he took a touch to set himself up, and the second with his left foot saw him drill the ball inside the near post to level the match in the 65th minute.

Ten minutes later I used two more changes, attempting to get us going on the left wing and take the load of Tojo, taking off Iwao and Shingo Muraoka, and introducing another 14 year old in left back Shohei Hayashi, and also left winger Katsushiro Obayashi. The latter in particular made an impression as we poured forward looking for the goal that would put us in a great position going into the final match. That goal would not arrive on this day, and we would have to settle for a second draw, and we would need to see what happened in the later game to establish if that was a good result or not. Either way, I was proud of the way the young lads fought back against an older and significantly more experienced side.

Iraq Under-23's (1) 1 Japan Under-23's (0) 1
Scorers :- Masayoshi Nagira (65)
Ryugo Aoyagi; Kazuki Muraoka, Tomohiro Kitauchi, Dan Hotta, Yoshinobu Iwao (capt - Shohei Hayashi 76); Yoshikazu Onizuka, Ko Sowa (Masayoshi Nagira 63); Shoya Tojo, Naoki Okuyama, Shingo Muraoka (Katsushiro Obayashi 76); Kosuke Kinoshita.
Attendance :- 145. Man of the Match :- Masayoshi Nagira (Japan Under-23's).

The introduction as sub of Shohei Hayashi means that for a second match in a row, one of our players has taken the record for the youngest ever player in this tournament. It took going behind for us to get ourselves together, but after that, we were the better side for large spells, and had the majority of the football, which is one of the things I look for from my teams. Later that same night in Lusail, a 17th minute goal from Najmiddin Axmedov in front of a crowd just north of 200 saw Uzbekistan beat Vietnam and take the lead in the Group. We were in second place, tied with Iraq, but ahead of them by virtue of scoring one more goal than them. It also meant we were in a pretty decent position, as a win against Vietnam on Tuesday would guarentee us a spot in the Quarter-Finals. A draw might be enough, depending on what happened in the match between Uzbekistan and Iraq which would take place at the same time.

In the other Groups in the Tournament, things looked fairly rosy for the hosts in Group A. Having won their first game against Australia, they then drew their second with Thailand, leaving them on four points alongside the United Arab Emirates, who beat Thailand before drawing with the Australians. Both looked likely to progress, and a draw when they faced each other actually guarentee that. In Group B, the winners were already decided. Oman had looked solid rather than spectacular, but 1-0 wins over both North Korea and Yemen had secured their berth in the last eight as Group winners. It was up for debate as to who would join them at this stage, Iran sat on two points after a pair of draws, North Korea and Yemen both had one each after they had held Iran in each of their games against them. And finally Group D, which was arguably the toughest Group in the competition. That was largely down to the surprise package from Turkmenistan. They had opened their account in fine style, beating a lacklustre China side 3-1. That result looked even better when South Korea were held to a 0-0 draw by Syria. The performance of the Chinese side didn't get any better next time out, as they were thumped 4-1 by South Korea. Later in the evening, Turkmenistan beat Syria 2-0, which meant the Chinese were out. Syria would need China's poor form to continue, as they would need to beat the Chinese themselves, and hope that Turkemistan could beat South Korea to give themselves any chance of progressing.

[neilhoskins77]

January 2016 (cont).

Saturday afternoon, and Sai Kung Friends would play without me at the helm for the first time. And unless Japan progressed quite far into the tournament in Qatar, it would be the only time as well. I had picked the team for the match at home to Sun International based on the training and fitness reports I had been receiving on my phone and tablet. I wouldn't be able to watch the match, there isn't much call for streams of Third Division matches from Hong Kong out in the Middle East. Instead, I would be concentrating on watching Japan's prospective opponents should we get the result we wanted on Tuesday. I would receive a report on the match from Sai Kung right after the game though.

Saturday 16th January 2016 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground, Sai Kung.
Sai Kung Friends FC v Sun International Athletic Association.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; John Benedict Pereira, Or Kwok Fai; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Kwan Chak Fai, Wan Chi Pan, Sasha Palatnikov, Shaan Nanik, Siu Ka Ming.

The injury to Tso Yu Hei meant that the run of games with an unchanged lineup came to an end. After receiving training reports all week, I made the decision that John Benedict Pereira would start the match with Or Kwok Fai, and that Sasha Palatnikov would remain on the bench for now. After he had played most of the last match, I was sorely tempted to start the Russian, but I decided it would be the smarter decision to give him more time to reach a good level of match fitness, especially while there were other options.

It was a very quiet first half, where we spent the majority of it making sure we kept teenage striker and long term transfer target, Lee Cho Yiu, as quiet as possible. Just before the break, he showed the skills that had earned him a call up to represent Hong Kong at age group level. He moved out wide to collect the ball, and jinked inside Mark Grainger too easily, and showed a turn of pace to escape John Benedict Pereira. He attempted a speculative shot from range, Chris Barnett showing his bravery by throwing himself in front of the ball and blocking it away for a corner. We could have had a penalty moments later, but the ref said there wasn't enough in it, and Toby Down earned a booking for protesting too loudly.

The visitors made a change at the break, and another ten minutes into the second half, by which time both sides had another player in the book, Lai Ka Fai for us, and Chan Kin Chung for Sun International. The latter saw us awarded a free kick on the right, which So Chun Ting floated across into the box, Barnett flicked it on towards the far post, and Darren McEntee volleyed it into the net from close range, but he was flagged offside, and the replay showed that the assistant referee had made the correct decision, and done well to do so, as it was pretty close.

Our opponents made their third and final change on the hour, while it was midway through the second before we made any changes. Two were made at that point, with both centre midfielders withdrawn, and Sasha Palatnikov and Shaan Nanik brought on, Toby Down moving back into the midfield to allow the Indian forward to play in the shadow striker role. Our yellow card number moved up to three, as Barnett had his name taken for an over zealous challenge. Shortly after, we created our best chance so far, as Palatnikov sent a searching ball from inside his own half up the park, and picked out Ethan Hallberg. Our striker stepped away from the first challenge, and used his strength to hold off another as he made some room and fired a low shot that had Chan Yo Heung scrambling across his goalmouth to turn the ball around the post.

Our final change was made with fifteen minutes remaining on the clock, and McEntee came off to be replaced by Kwan Chak Fai in the back four. The game was petering out as both sides looked more concerned with conceding a goal. There would be one last potential swing in proceedings though, as the game entered injury time, Lee Cho Yiu was forced to leave the park with an injury, and Sun International had no changes left. We couldn't take advantage of that short period with a man advantage, and only time would tell whether this was a point gained, or two dropped.

Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 0 Sun International Athletic Association (0) 0
Scorers :- None
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee (Kwan Chak Fai 75), Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; John Benedict Pereira (Shaan Nanik 68), Or Kwok Fai (Sasha Palatnikov 68); Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Attendance :- 163. Man of the Match :- Chris Barnett (Sai Kung Friends).

Lee Cho Yiu is coming in for some critisism from the Sun International supporters, as his goals have dried up. It will be a little while before he gets the chance to remedy that, as he has suffered a chest injury that will rule him out for around three weeks. A decision needs to be made whether we are going to make another attempt to persuade him to move to Sai Kung in this Transfer Window. The yellow card picked up by Lai Ka Fai has triggered a one game suspension for the defender, as that is his fifth of the campaign. Once more we dominated possession of the ball, having 58% of the ball this time out.

The point we earned looked more and more like a good point as the weekend progressed. It had been enough to have us back at the top of the table on Saturday evening, as we moved back past Ornaments. On the same day, C&W District were held to a goalless draw away to Wing Go, while there was a home win for Kui Tan, as they beat King Mountain 2-0. On Sunday afternoon, Ornaments attempt to leapfrog us again at the top failed, as they lost 2-1 at home to North District, who would be looking to kick start their own challenge that had faltered slightly in recent weeks. Hoi King continued their impressive form, as they won 4-1 away to Islands. Two other clubs looking to get themselves into the fight, were held to draws away from home. Fukien would be disappointed not to beat KCDRSC, while Hong Kong Telecom could only get a 1-1 draw with a stubborn St. Joseph's side.

The weekend of dealing with club issues while nearly 4,000 miles away was concluded when my Assistant Manager contacted me to let me know that Luk Hok Man had expressed his concern that he was being overlooked, particularly now that Sasha Palatnikov has jumped him in the queue. I sent a message to say that I'd like to see him impress in the Reserve and Under-18 matches that were being arranged, and some good outings there would see him be given a chance in the First Team. I wasn't expecting the response I got, with my Assistant telling me that he had responded very well to that message, and replied that he relished the challenge of earning a spot. That's a great reaction, and won't do his cause any harm at all as far as I'm concerned.

On Monday morning, as final preparations are made for Japan's final Group match against Vietnam in Doha, in the East of the Continent, I authorise a contract being offered to 16 year old French striker, Thibault Lannoy. After arriving in Hong Kong a couple of years ago, the young flair player who is also surprisingly good in the air for someone who only stands 5'8 tall, has already been released by Kitchee, and now Hong Kong FC have decided that he is not in their future plans, despite scoring twice in two outings this season. Unfortunately, we're too late to the party this time, and he turns us down, signing instead for First Division club, Sha Tin Sports Association. They'll be hoping he can fire in the goals that will get them out of the relegation zone.

[neilhoskins77]

January 2016 (cont).

Tuesday 19th January 2016 - AFC Under 23 Asian Nations Cup, Group C.
Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar.
Vietnam Under-23's v Japan Under-23's.
(4-2-3-1) :- Ryugo Aoyagi; Akira Shibasaki, Tomohiro Kitauchi (capt), Akihiko Otomo, Shohei Hayashi; Yoshikazu Onizuka, Masayoshi Nagira; Shoya Tojo, Naoki Okuyama, Katsushiro Obayashi; Kosuke Kinoshita.
Substitutes :- Kazuko Muraoka, Shuzo Wakabayashi, Dan Hotta, Yoshinobu Iwao, Tetsuya Hirano, Shingo Muraoka, Ko Sowa, Takanori Minagawa.

I had to rotate the squad for this match, it simply was not an option to play the Senior/Youth players again en masse here, as we would have been in big trouble in the last third of the match with fitness levels. So instead, I opt to mix the grey players into the starting lineup, and give myself options later in the match. Both full backs are switched, with Akira Shibasaki getting his first action of the campaign, while Shohei Hayashi starts this time after coming on as a sub against Iraq. In the centre of the back four, Tomohiro Kitauchi takes the Captain's armband, and is joined by fellow grey Akihiko Otomo. It's an all grey centre midfield too, as Ko Sowa is rested on the bench, and our goalscorer from the last match, Masayoshi Nagira, joins Yoshikazu Onizuka in the middle of the park. Shoya Tojo remains on the right, with Naoki Okuyama continuing his sterling work playing out of position in the shadow striker position. He has Kosuke Kinoshita in front of him again, but there is a new face on the left, as Katsushiro Obayashi starts this one in place of the rested Shingo Muraoka.

We knew what the job was, a win would see us through, and right from kick off, Katsushiro Obayashi showed his intention of making his marker's evening a tough one, running at him immediately and earning a free kick. At centre back, Tomohiro Kitauchi was taking his skipper duties seriously, maybe a little too much, as he picked up a booking. In the 22nd minute we produced our best piece of play so far, and no surprise that Shoya Tojo was involved. He took a pass from Akira Shibasaki down the right touchline, and then tortured Bui Tien Dung, the Vietnamese left back would have needed treated for diziness as Tojo tricked his way past him and sent a low cross from the byline into the near post area, Kosuke Kinoshita clipped it goal bound, but it bounced back off the base of the upright.

The Vietnam side were clearly feeling the pace of the hectic tournament schedule too, as they made two changes at the break. I told my players to keep doing what they were doing, I was fairly confident that Vietnam posed no real attacking threat to us, and we could afford to take the measured approach. Yoshikazu Onizuka played a through ball into Tojo on the right of the box a few minutes after the break, but he refused the opportunity to shoot, instead trying to get around Tien Dung to get to the dead ball line, but the defender stuck to his task and blocked the effort. Tojo was guilty of trying to do a bit much there.

Vietnam were playing for pride, and defending very well. And in the 72nd minute, our need for a goal became that much more immediate. Just two minutes earlier, I had made two subs, with Dan Hotta coming on at centre back in place of Akihiko Otomo, and a badly in need of a rest Naoki Okuyama came off, with Ko Sowa coming on and asked to play a little further forward than he is used to. Just after that, we heard that Iraq were in front of Uzbekistan, by virtue of an own goal. A draw was now not enough to progress to the last eight. But the stubborn defence continued, and with 7 minutes left, we had to go for broke. Shohei Hayashi came off, Shingo Muraoka on in his place, but he was asked to join Kinoshita up front. In fact, everyone moved further up the park, as we left Hotta and Kitauchi back only, and everyone else went up the park. The pair were left back to retrieve the ball as much as anything, Vietnam were offering nothing going forward. The possession football game was out of the window for these remaining minutes.

The sheer numbers were too much for our opponents. Akira Shibasaki took a short throw to Dan Hotta, and he played a one-two with Onizuka, and then curled a deep cross towards the far post. It looked like it would be too deep for everyone, but Shingo Muraoka, our emergency non striker from the bench, drifted away from the defenders, and connected with a looping header that left Le Van Nghia stranded, as it dropped under the cross bar, and inside the far post, to finally give us the lead with just four minutes remaining. I immediately brought everyone back to their normal positions, and asked them to defend. But Vietnam, who had shown no desire to fight for their future in the tournament so far, went for bust themselves. And bust it was too, as Tran Huu Dong Trieu's midfield lay off was sloppy, and Masayoshi Nagira picked off the loose ball. He sent it to Kinoshita, and with support arriving quickly, suddenly we were four on two going the other way. Nagira had kept moving forward, and Kinoshita gave it him back, before the ball was moved quickly on to Tojo on the right wing. When the cross came in, we were three on one in the centre of the box, and the result was inevitable, it was just a case of who would do the honours? Well, that would fall to fourteen year old midfielder Ko Sowa, who swept the ball home with a right footed half volley to net his second goal of the tournament, and send us into the Quarter Finals. At almost the same time, Iraq confirmed their place too, with a second goal against Uzbekistan.

Vietnam Under-23's (0) 0 Japan Under-23's (0) 2
Scorers :- Shingo Muraoka (86), Ko Sowa (87)
Ryugo Aoyagi; Akira Shibasaki, Tomohiro Kitauchi (capt), Akihiko Otomo (Dan Hotta 70), Shohei Hayashi (Shingo Muraoka 83); Yoshikazu Onizuka, Masayoshi Nagira; Shoya Tojo, Naoki Okuyama (Ko Sowa 70), Katsushiro Obayashi; Kosuke Kinoshita.
Attendance :- 121. Man of the Match :- Shoya Tojo (Japan Under-23's).

Those results mean that we progress as Group Winners, purely due to the fact that we scored one goal more than Iraq. That could well mean a more favourable Quarter-Final tie, but we would need to wait until tomorrow's matches are played to find out who our opponents would be. We will have a days extra rest on whoever we face, and that may be more crucial than any other factor at this stage. I was delighted with the players, it would always have been expected that we got out of the Group, but to do so means more with the young players we have in the squad. Shoya Tojo is again singled out for praise in the media after another man of the match performance. Group A also concluded on the same night, Australia and Thailand could only draw their match 1-1, which meant that both would be going home. That left Qatar and United Arab Emirates in a straight fight for top spot, and it was the hosts who would claim that honour, winning 2-1 in front of a very poor attendance in Al Khor.

2016 AFC Under-23 Asian Nations Cup, Group C. Final Standings.

| Pos   | Inf   | Team                 | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | GD    | Pts   |
 
| 1st   | Q     | Japan Under 23s      | 3     | 1     | 2     | 0     | 4     | 2     | 2     | 5     |
| 2nd   | Q     | Iraq Under 23s       | 3     | 1     | 2     | 0     | 3     | 1     | 2     | 5     |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 3rd   |       | Uzbekistan Under 23s | 3     | 1     | 1     | 1     | 2     | 3     | -1    | 4     |
| 4th   |       | Vietnam Under 23s    | 3     | 0     | 1     | 2     | 0     | 3     | -3    | 1     |

 

[neilhoskins77]

January 2016 (cont).

On Wednesday night, we would find out who our opponents would be as Group B and Group D finished to end the Group Stage of the tournament. Oman had already won Group B, and rested some players, as they lost 2-0 to Iran. That result secured their place in the last eight, which meant the North Korea and Yemen game was of little consequence, which was just as well, as they drew with each other anyway, so both finished on two points. In Group D, the main matter was whether Syria could find a way to get themselves through the Group Stage, but they failed to do so with a 2-0 defeat against China, who managed to save a bit of face if nothing else. That just left South Korea's match with Turkmenistan to determine the Group Winners. And it was South Korea who prevailed, and in some style, as they thumped their opponents 6-1.

That left Turkmenistan as Runners-Up in Group D, and they would be our Quarter Final opponents on Friday evening in Al Wakrah. The match would be played at the 12,000 capacity Soud bin Abdalrahman Stadium. On the same evening, South Korea would face Iraq, and on Saturday evening, the second two last eight ties would be played, as Iran would play hosts Qatar and United Arab Emirates would face Oman. As we were playing in Quarter Final one, we knew that should we get through our last eight match, we would face the winner of Quarter Final three, which would be Iran or Qatar.

There was not much time between games, but just enough for me to made aware that Australia were searching for a new Under-23's manager following their poor campaign. I had no idea what would happen after this tournament with regard to me staying with Japan, so I threw my hat into the ring, just in case. China were in the market for a new manager for their age group side, but I had missed the application deadline for that one. In Hong Kong, I authorised a move being made for 33 year old Botswanan centre back, Luke Njobwu. He has spent the season so far with Amateur League side, French Dragons, and has been impressive to date. I was aware of him last summer when I was building the side, but decided to pursue other options as he is just 5'8 tall, which isn't ideal for a centre back. The scouting reports on him suggest that I shouldn't consider this an issue, so we'll see if he wants to come to Sai Kung.

On Thursday night, the eve of our Quarter Final tie in Qatar, our opponents from Turkmenistan were dealt a cruel blow. Their 21 year old centre back, Makan Saparow, who has been in the form of his life in the Turkmenistani Higher League with his club Balkan Balkanabat, has broken his toe, and will miss between two and three months of action. He has scored five times in seven games for his club from defence, and has helped them to the top of the League with over half the season played. He has managed his first Senior cap for the National side this season too, and will be a big miss for them on Friday evening. I have to be honest, for us, it's really good news.

Friday 22nd January 2016 - AFC Under-23's Asian Nations Cup, Quarter-Final.
Soud bin Abdalrahman Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar.
Japan Under-23's v Turkmenistan Under-23's.
(4-2-3-1) :- Ryugo Aoyagi; Akira Shibasaki, Tomohiro Kitauchi, Dan Hotta, Yoshinobu Iwao (capt); Yoshikazu Onizuka, Ko Sowa; Shoya Tojo, Naoki Okuyama, Katsushiro Obayashi; Kosuke Kinoshita.
Substitutes :- Kazuki Muraoka, Shuzo Wakabayashi, Akihiko Otomo, Shohei Hayashi, Tetsuya Hirano, Shingo Muraoka, Masayoshi Nagira, Takanori Minagawa.

The recovery time between the last Group match and this Quarter-Final was not enough for me to able to select my first choice side to start the match, and I would need to mix and match again, making sure there were players on the bench who could come on and help us later in the match, when Turkmenistan would be suffering just as much as us, with one days less rest and their best defender on the way home. Akira Shibasaki retains his spot at right back ahead of Kazuki Muraoka. Dan Hotta is back in the lineup at centre back, with Akihiko Otomo back on the bench. The skipper, Yoshinobu Iwao is back at left back in place of Shohei Hayashi. In midfield, Ko Sowa is back in the starting eleven, and will join Yoshikazu Onizuka in the middle of the park, with Masayoshi Nagira back on the bench.

After a tentative start by both sides, things livened up as the first half reached it's halfway point. That wouldn't be good news for our opponents though, as having lost their best defender in the build up, they lost their best forward in the 27th minute, as Suleyman Muhadow twisted awkwardly, and left the park, unable to return. That event spurred us forward, and in the 31st minute, Ko Sowa launched a cross field ball that sent Katsushiro Obayashi into the left channel of the box. He sent a tantalising ball across the face of the goal, just out of the reach of both Kosuke Kinoshita and the late arriving Shoya Tojo. The ball was retrieved and we looked to set it up again on the left, succeding with Tojo sliding the ball into the centre from the left corner of the box and Kinoshita held off his marker and laced a shot at goal, Alexandr Seyidow pushed it away, right into the path of Tojo, who slammed the loose ball right off the near upright. Yoshikazu Onizuka got the ball back, and sent it in to Kinoshita once more, but again Seyidow was equal to his shot. From the corner, Katushiro Obayashi was felled inside the box by Didar Garayew, but there was nothing doing from the ref for that one.

Before the break, it was our own keeper Ryugo Aoyagi who was called into action for the first time, as Seyidow's long clearance up the park was headed on by sub striker, Tahyr Garajayew, and it just about cleared the head of Tomohiro Kitauchi, and allowed Selim Nurmuradov to race in on goal. He went for placement rather than power with his shot on goal, but Aoyagi flung out a hand and pushed it away from danger. While we could say we had been the better side, that crucial moment from our keeper kept us in the game, and we were still goalless at the half time break.

One would be enough to win this match I told my players. And they went out looking for it as well, with Okuyama just over hitting a pass into the box for Kinoshita. Moments later, and Yoshinobu Iwao didn't overhit his pass, he meant to smash that ball right up the mark, and he knew Kinoshita was going after it. The bonus he may not have been expecting was the Turkmenistan defence not chasing back, and relying on their keeper to deal with it. But he didn't budge off his line, and Kinoshita brought the ball down, and picked his spot inside the near post to hand us the lead five minutes after the break. Right back Akira Shibasaki didn't want to be outshone by his fellow full back, and had his name taken with by the ref for a poorly timed challenge. It wasn't a fifty yard assist, but he had made his mark. We counter attacked from that free kick, and quickly made our way up the park on the left, Onizuka sending Obayashi into acres of space. He got to the corner of the box, and then sent it inside and square to Ko Sowa, who fluffed his lines by blasting high and wide.

After the Turkmenistani's made their second change just after the hour mark, we made two changes of our own in the 65th minute. Tojo and Okuyama had no more left to give, and in their place came on Masayoshi Nagira and a first outing of the tournament for Takanori Minagawa on the right wing. When our opponents burned their final change in the 72nd minute, and I followed likewise in the 80th minute, as goalscorer Kinoshita left the field, and our previous emergency striker hero Shingo Muraoka came on in his place. This time, the attempt to close down the match with some fresh legs didn't go so well, and Onizuka was very sloppy in the middle of the pitch inside his own half. Begenc Astanow stripped the ball away from him, and sent it quickly to Garajayew, who powered his shot from the edge of the box into the far corner of the net.

Now things were not looking so good, as our better forwards were off the park, and we were heading towards extra time for a place in the Semi-Finals. We would start that extra period even quicker than we did in the second half. Shibasaki played the ball down the right touchline, and picked out Takanori Minagawa. Keen to impress, he took on his marker, and then slipped the ball in front of Onizuka to run onto in the right channel of the box. The midfielder got to the dead ball line, and then squared it across goal. Shingo Muraoka couldn't reach it, but Obayashi was next in line, and he side footed home from five yards out to put us ahead just 47 seconds into the additional half hour of football.

We had the bit between our teeth, but low energy was causing poor tackling, and in quick succession, Dan Hotta, Ko Sowa and Tomohiro Hitauchi all received yellow cards. But if any side was going to score again, it was always more likely to be us, and with just four minutes left, we put together a move that would finish the contest. Nagira and Onizuka combined well in midfield, and the latter played a through ball that sliced Turkmenistan wide open. Minagawa moved clear of his marker and into the box, and as everyone gravitated towards him, he squared it unselfishly to an unmarked Shingo Muraoka, who sidefooted the ball home to net his second goal of the tournament, and net us a berth in the Semi-Finals.

Japan Under-23's (0) 3 Turkmenistan Under-23's (0) 1 - (after extra time, 1-1 after 90 minutes)
Scorers :- Kosuke Kinoshita (50), Katsushiro Obayashi (91), Shingo Muraoka (116)
Ryugo Aoyagi; Akira Shibasaki, Tomohiro Kitauchi, Dan Hotta, Yoshinobu Iwao (capt); Yoshikazu Onizuka, Ko Sowa (Masayoshi Nagira 65); Shoya Tojo (Takanori Minagawa 65), Naoki Okuyama, Katsushiro Obayashi; Kosuke Kinoshita (Shingo Muraoka 80).
Attendance :- 45. Man of the Match :- Yoshikazu Onizuka (Japan Under-23's).

68% of the ball, and 23 chances created. It was a shame that the match went to extra time, as that was the last thing we needed, and would make what would already be a tough Semi-Final match that much more difficult. In the day's other Quarter-Final, the defending Champions from Iraq bowed out of the competition, defeated 3-1 by a very strong looking South Korea side, who are looking like they are going to be very difficult to stop right now. Thankfully, that won't be our problem in the last four, as they are in the other half of the knockout stage brackets. No, our problem would be Iran, who knocked out the hosts Qatar with a 2-1 win in Saturday's first Quarter-Final tie, and we would return to Doha to face them on Tuesday at the 14,000 capacity Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. The press in Qatar were speculating that pretty much everyone of those seats could be removed for the match, as the hosts elimination meant that a tournament that had not been very well supported to date, would fade even further into the background in the remaining week of competition. The final Semi-Finalists would be United Arab Emirates, who looked very comfortable in their 2-0 win over Oman, and they would face South Korea a couple of hours before our match with Iran.

[neilhoskins77]

January 2016 (cont).

In Hong Kong, with less than a week left in the Transfer Window, I was in danger of looking like the Arsene Wenger of South East Asian football, and if we didn't get promoted, I would surely hear the media telling me that I should have strengthened the squad in January. To be honest, it wasn't from the lack of trying. Centre back target Luke Njobwu is pretty happy where he is at French Dragons, and has rejected our contract offer. We may go back in for him again before the Deadline hits. Our Reserve side played a home Friendly match against Kwai Tsing Reserves. The First Division club put out a fairly strong side and beat us 2-0. It was a good run out for our fringe players, and some players who needed some match time, got some valuable time on the park, with Shaun Melwani continuing his return to fitness, though not performing particularly well. Sasha Palatnikov played 73 minutes in this match, with Ho Chi Wing playing the full ninety minutes up front. Another player was identified who could help us in the back four, and an offer was made for South China's 18 year old Pun Long Man, but we would face stiff competition for the centre back.

Tuesday 26th January 2016 - AFC Under-23 Asian Nations Cup, Semi-Final.
Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar.
Iran Under-23's v Japan Under-23's.
(4-2-3-1) :- Ryugo Aoyagi; Kazuki Muraoka (capt), Tomohiro Kitauchi, Akihiko Otomo, Shohei Hayashi; Yoshikazu Onizuka, Ko Sowa; Shoya Tojo, Naoki Okuyama, Katsushiro Obayashi; Kosuke Kinoshita.
Substitutes :- Akira Shibasaki, Shuzo Wakabayashi, Dan Hotta, Yoshinobu Iwao, Tetsuya Hirano, Shingo Muraoka, Masayoshi Nagira, Takanori Minagawa.

Low energy levels amongst the squad mean that once again, we have to mix and match players to try and get the best out of the squad as a whole in this Semi-Final tie. While Iran played a day later than us, they did not have the extra half hour to play. Kazuki Muraoka comes back into the side at right back, and will Captain the side today, while there is a change at the other side of the back four as young Shohei Hayashi replaces Yoshinobu Iwao. In the middle, Dan Hotta drops to the bench, replaced by Akihiko Otomo. The side remains the same further up the park, and again, it's expected that the bench will be crucial in this match.

The opening half hour of the match would mask what was to come, as both sides declined to do anymore than keep it tight. The quiet was shattered in the 37th minute, as Iranian right back Naser Khabazi took a throw in to the feet of Reza Shekari, and took the return pass right back from him. He then delivered a cross towards the penalty spot that Alireza Beykzaviyeh brought down on his chest and then shot on the turn, a rising shot that beat Ryugo Aoyagi and found a high section of the net. As it had done in the early stages of the tournament, going behind seemed to spur us on, and Katsushiro Obayashi hurdled a challenge and sprinted into space on the left wing. He got to the byline, and sent in a cross that Kosuke Kinoshita was just beaten to, but the ball found it's way to Yoshikazu Onizuka, who's low shot found it's way through the forest of legs, but Hasan Atashi held it easily.

A goal down at the break, we had some work to do in the second half against a very strong looking outfit, and Tomohiro Kitauchi's early yellow card meant he would have a challenging second half ahead. In fact, the whole side would be challenged, as five minutes into the second half, Obayashi had the ball whipped off his toe when trying to break down the right. Iran were quick to counter, and playmaker Akbar Dourbinian was fed the ball on halfway. He lifted it over our defence, and Hasan Najafi chased it into the right channel of our box, and Akihiko Otomo left his feet too eagerly to make the challenge, which the striker evaded easily. He held the ball up, and rolled it into the path of Dourbinian who had made a supporting run, and he picked his spot low and beyond Aoyagi's reach, and we were a pair of goals down.

Iran were forced into a change just two minutes later, as Mehdi Aghamohammadi was injured, and couldn't continue. It looked like their manager was confident that they could hold that lead that they had built, as just after the hour, he used his other two changes as well, bringing fresh legs on. Maybe he had acted too quickly, as midway through the half, Shoya Tojo was played into some room on the right, and he sent a cross into the middle that looked like it was going to fall short of his team mates who had headed towards the far post area. Not Naoki Okuyama though, he judged his run well, and solved the problem of the ball being at an awkward waist height by producing a sensational scissor kick volley that rocketed into the net, and we were back in the game.

Briefly. Less than five minutes later, we were cut open once more. Dourbinian was key in the move again, arriving first after Najafi had again done good hold up work and playing in Mosayeb Chegini, who had run off the shoulder of our defence, and calmly slotted low under the oncoming Aoyagi. With less than twenty minutes to go, and two goals down in a tournament Semi-Final, there was nothing to lose for us now, and I reverted to the tactics we had used late in the game when we needed a goal against Vietnam. I made three changes, sacrificing both my full backs, and just leaving my two centre halfs back in defence. They would be replaced by Shingo Muraoka, who would once more play as an emergency striker, this time joining Kosuke Kinoshita up front, Masayoshi Nagira would join the midfield to make a trio in the centre of the park. Ko Sowa would be replaced by Dan Hotta, who would also be part of that midfield, playing further up the park than he usually does.

The response as we set out to attack, was again immediate. Shoya Tojo was again woefully marked on the right, and Iran paid the price for not doing a better job there, as he swept the ball into the box. It bounced through the goalmouth area, looking like it would evade everyone, until Obayashi arrived at the far post to slam the ball home from close range and score within a minute of the changes. And we were not finished yet either, as in the 81st minute keeper Atashi sent a short pass to centre back Majid Kavianpour. With players pressing him, he tried to send it back to his keeper, but appeared to kick the turf before the ball, and his back pass was way too short, allowing Kinoshita to gleefully latch onto it, and slide it home to level the match up at three goals apiece. Dan Hotta was a fraction away from beating Kavianpour in the 84th minute and going clear in on goal, but the defender redeemed himself somewhat with a well timed last ditch tackle.

You can call it naive, or brave, or maybe even stupid, but with the tide well in our favour, and Iran very much on the ropes, I declined to revert our formation and tactics back to where they were, and left us to continue attacking in the few remaining moments. Okuyama sent a through ball between the Iranian centre backs, and attempted to find Onizuka, who was onside. Instead, the ball rolled through to Kinoshita, who was very much offside, which was a shame, as he blasted the ball home after rounding the keeper. That would be the final chance created in the ninety minutes, and the Semi Final would move into extra time.

Now I really should have changed tact, but I didn't. It would nearly work too, as Shingo Muraoka drifted into the right channel, and Tojo found him. Muraoka crossed it, and Kinoshita climbed above the keeper, but headed the ball against the cross bar, and Abdolkarim Gharavi hooked the ball clear. Five minutes later, and Muraoka played a long and hopeful looking ball that the Iran defence didn't see as a threat, until they realised that Kinoshita was behind them, and onside. On his weaker left foot, the striker rushed his effort, and it hit the outside of the upright and flew wide. And for those wasted chances, we would pay a high price. With two minutes remaining in the first half of extra time, Iran won a corner that Beykzaviyeg sent into the middle of the box. Onizuka attempted to head it clear, but it hit an Iranian who was stood right in front of him, and dropped perfectly for substitute Amir Hosain Pouzesh, who sidefooted home from four yards out. We were punished for our, or more specifically, my, tactically naivety. And yet we could still have forced penalties. With five minutes to go, Shingo Muraoka sent a free kick fizzing across the danger area, and Tomohiro Kitauchi latched onto it at the far post, but for the third time in the additional period of the match, the effort came back off the goal frame, and we were done.

Iran Under-23's (1) 4 Japan Under-23's (0) 3 - (after extra time, 3-3 after 90 minutes)
Scorers :- Naoki Okuyama (68), Katsushiro Obayashi (75), Kosuke Kinoshita (81)
Ryugo Aoyagi; Kazuki Muraoka (capt - Shingo Muraoka 74), Tomohiro Kitauchi, Akihiko Otomo, Shohei Hayashi (Masayoshi Nagira 74); Yoshikazu Onizuka, Ko Sowa (Dan Hotta 74); Shoya Tojo, Naoki Okuyama, Katsushiro Obayashi; Kosuke Kinoshita.
Attendance :- 20. Man of the Match :- Akbar Dourbinian (Iran Under-23's).

The blame would be coming my way, I was certain of that. If I had closed the game down, and not left the attacking options in place, we could have played for penalties, and may well have reached the Final. I felt the momentum was with us, and made the decision to back my own instinct. I was pretty sure I would pay for that with the sack. Of course, that would be after the tournament had finished, and we still had a match to play. It was the match nobody wants to be involved in, the dreaded 3rd/4th Place Playoff. Our opponents in Friday evenings match would be the United Arab Emirates, who were beaten by South Korea in their own attempt to reach Saturday's showpiece match, losing 2-0. There was one benefit that I could see, as I would now be able to fly back to Hong Kong right after Friday nights match, and be back in time to take charge of Sai Kung Friends important match against North District in the League the next day. Every cloud and all that......

[neilhoskins77]

January 2016 (cont).

After a fairly quiet couple of days in Qatar, with the squad allowed to relax and enjoy themselves a little before the 3rd/4th Place Playoff, the chaos would commence on Friday. It was the day of the Transfer Deadline in Hong Kong, and with a five hour time difference, I needed to be up early to be available to speak to my scouts and the staff who would be acting on my behalf today. Then it would be game time, as I would take charge of Japan Under-23's for what was likely to be the final time. Then it would be straight onto a eight and a half hour flight back to Hong Kong. That would have be back in Sai Kung for around Saturday lunchtime, where I would be headed right to the League match. I would certainly be wanting to get some sleep on that flight.

After an hour or so of discussions, the first movement of our Deadline Day was a departure, as it was decided Shaun Melwani was unlikely to see any playing time in our midfield in this campaign, and he was released to allow him to search for another club. I wasn't too surprised to hear that we had missed out on 18 year old centre back Pun Long Man. I was gobsmacked to hear that he had decided to join St. Jospeh's ahead of us though. That was a setback, not necessarily that he had declined our offer, but that he had opted to sign for a club I consider to be not as good as us. With that door closed, we would go back to French Dragons, and try again to persuade Luke Njobwu to join our promotion challenge. We would also attempt to extract revenge on St. Joseph's by making an offer to sign their stand out player of the season so far, 24 year old midfielder Cheung Kwan Man.

During the madness of this day, I would also need to find time to do my bit for the weekends football preview as well. Being several thousand miles away, it was decided that I would do that by video link. I don't know if that made me feel a bit more comfortable with a part of the job that I never thought I would be comfortable with, or whether one of the first questions mentioning a predicted League record crowd of over 200 made me want to hype up the game a bit more. Either way, I went in on North District. It started pleasantly enough, with me reiterating that my side would continue to seek possession of the ball as much as possible, after all, the opposition cannot score when we have the ball. The questioning moved to the experience of the North District side, and one of the possible advantages they have over us. 'You can call it experience, but I know it better as age. We're younger than them, we're fitter than them, and that gives us plenty of advantages that we'll be seeking to exploit come Saturday afternoon'. I was immediately accused of being disrespectful to their manager Chan Yu Choi and his players. 'Not at all, as you've just said, they're very experienced, so they surely won't be bothered by anything a rookie manager has to say, right? I'm stating my opinion, and we have a fitness advantage over our opponents I believe. There's nothing wrong with me saying that.' The press conference finished with me stating empatically that our home ground was our fortress, and that any team leaving with the spoils would be made to feel like they'd been through a war to get them at the very least.

Two more players received offers from us, with a return to the table to attempt to lure Lee Cho Yiu to the club from Sun International, and a new target would also be identified, as we sent an offer to one of the standout midfielders of the Third Division so far this season, C&W District's 22 year old Chung Man Ho. Our quest for a new midfielder was looking destined to end in failure as St. Jospeh's defensive midfielder Cheung Kwan Man snubbed our offer, announcing his intention to stay with the amateur side who he said he still believes can force their way into the promotion picture. He must believe that, as he also rejected an offer from Second Division promotion hopefuls, Tung Sing FC. Once more we switched targets, with the next one we would make an offer to being Lai Siu Lun, a 20 year old who had been in impressive form for the resurgent Hong Kong Telecom side. Keen to add another forward, and with time starting to run out in the Transfer Window, which would expire before the Japan/UAE match would kick off, we made a move for teenage utility forward Sy Yiu Wai from Wan Chai of the First Division. He flat out refused to even speak to us. It just wasn't to be our day, we couldn't get a single thing done, and this Transfer Window had passed us by without any players joining us. I dearly hoped we wouldn't pay for that at the end of the season.

Friday 29th January 2016 - AFC Under-23's Asian Nations Cup, 3rd/4th Place Playoff.
Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar.
United Arab Emirates Under-23's v Japan Under-23's.
(4-2-3-1) :- Ryugo Aoyagi; Akira Shibasaki, Tomohiro Kitauchi, Akihiko Otomo, Yoshinobu Iwao (capt); Yoshikazu Onizuka, Masayoshi Nagira; Takanori Minagawa, Tetsuya Hirano, Shingo Muraoka; Kosuke Kinoshita.
Substitutes :- Kazuki Muraoka, Shuzo Wakabayashi, Dan Hotta, Shohei Hayashi, Ko Sowa, Katsushiro Obayashi, Shoya Tojo, Naoki Okuyama.

Goalkeeper apart, I elected to use this game to try and give some match time to the squad members who had sat and waited for their opportunity from the bench for the most part in this tournament so far. Once the match started in front of yet another poor crowd in Doha, it was very clear that the UAE players would rather be anywhere than here. They were there for the taking, and my players knew it too.

From the first whistle, we pushed forwards, with Takanori Minagawa particularly looking keen to impress on the right wing after being kept on the bench by Shoya Tojo throughout the proceedings to date. It took him less than 20 seconds to send in his first cross of the evening. We were dominating possession of the ball, and that was leading to the opponents taking matters into their own hands to try and slow us down, with Khalid Al-Hosani picking up a yellow card in the 29th minute for felling Minagawa. The free kick would be taken by Shingo Muraoka, who had been impressive enough himself during the tournament. He sent the ball towards the penalty spot, and it was flicked on by Akihiko Otomo. That touch found his central defence partner, Tomohiro Kitauchi at the far post, and the opening goal looked a formality when he volleyed the ball on target, only to see Sultan Al-Suwaidi head it off the goal line.

The opening goal was coming, and it arrived in the 33rd minute. Tetsuya Hirano was playing out of position, but did a nice job of holding up the ball, and sending it wide left to Shingo Muraoka. He sent a very deep cross into the middle, and Minagawa had come off his wing, and beat Husham Abbas Lashkari in the air, heading the ball into the side of the goal that Ahmed Mohammed had just moved from, and we were a goal to the good. Moments later, and from almost exactly the same position that he had delivered the cross from to setup the opening goal, Muraoka curled a freak shot that had the keeper back pedalling, and looking relieved after it came back off the cross bar. The first half would end with Ali Ismail Ibrahim picking up a yellow card.

I can honestly say that I wasn't concerned in the slightest about UAE launching a second half fightback, as they just did not look interested at all. They made their first change in the 58th minute, and it was quickly followed by their third booking, as Ahmed Salman Al-Akberi added his name to a growing list of players on cautions. They made their second change just a few minutes later, and at the same time, I made two replacements for ourselves, Hirano and a particularly tired Kosuke Kinoshita were both taken off, and replaced by Shoya Tojo and Naoki Okuyama. Our final change came in the 76th minute, as Dan Hotta would get some game time at centre back, replacing Akihiko. With ten minutes to go, we got the second goal needed to put the match beyond doubt. Muraoka once again provided the delivery, this time from a corner that went towards the near post, Hotta just failed to get a connection, but Tojo hit a volleyed effort into the ground and towards goal. Ahmed Mohammed made the save, pushing the ball away, but only against the legs of Hamdan Hussien who was guarding the post, and he couldn't get out of the way. The ball hit him, and bounced agonisinly across the goal line despite Mohammed's effort to keep it out. UAE's miserable evening was completed with Sultan Al-Suwaidi becoming the fourth player to be booked.

United Arab Emirates Under-23's (0) 0 Japan Under-23's (1) 2
Scorers :- Takanori Minagawa (33), Hamdan Hussien (81 o.g)
Ryugo Aoyagi; Akira Shibasaki, Tomohiro Kitauchi, Akihiko Otomo (Dan Hotta 76), Yoshinobu Iwao (capt); Yoshikazu Onizuka, Masayoshi Nagira; Takanori Minagawa (Shoya Tojo 63), Tetsuya Hirano, Shingo Muraoka; Kosuke Kinoshita (Naoki Okuyama 63).
Attendance :- 37. Man of the Match :- Yoshikazu Onizuka (Japan Under-23's).

Third place in the competition isn't anything to be despondent about at all. But I knew what was coming next. Before I left the stadium to head to the airport, I gathered the players and staff in the dressing room of the Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, and thanked them all for their efforts, and told them that I hoped I would come across them in this crazy world of football at some point in the not too distant future, and maybe even work with some of them again. A member of the Japanese FA escorted me to a meeting room in the bowels of the stadium, where I was thanked for my work, and told the announcement that I had expected would be made the following morning. For now, my International adventure had come to an end, but I certainly planned on being back on the International stage as soon as possible. I left for the airport, satisfied with the work that had been done in this short stint in charge of the Japanese age group side.

Japan Under-23's Manager
15/11/15 to 29/1/16
Pld 6. W 3. D 2. L 1. GF 12. GA 7.
Achievements :- 3rd Place in 2016 AFC Under-23's Asian Nations Cup.
Outcome :- Short Term Contract Not Renewed.

 

[neilhoskins77]

January 2016 (cont).

I managed to grab a few hours sleep on that long overnight flight, and after landing back in Hong Kong, I went right to my apartment, grabbed a shower and some food, and then took the short walk to the stadium ready for our important Saturday afternoon kick off against North District. I met my staff there, where I saw the Physio first, and was told that while Tso Yu Hei hadn't trained this week, if I needed him for today, I could possibly get 30-45 minutes out of him. I thanked him for the information, and told him I'd make a decision shortly. There is no doubt that this match is the pick of the bunch in the Third Division over this weekend, and there is noticeably more people around the stadium before kick off.

Saturday 30th January 2016 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground, Sai Kung.
Sai Kung Friends FC v North District FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee, Chris Barnett, So Siu Ki; Sasha Palatnikov, Or Kwok Fai; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Kwan Chak Fai, Wan Chi Pan, John Benedict Pereira, Shaan Nanik, Siu Ka Ming.

I decided not to risk Tso Yu Hei in the matchday squad at all for today, instead, Sasha Palatnikov starts in the centre midfield pairing with Or Kwok Fai, and John Benedict Pereira is on the bench. There was a change required at left back as well, with Lai Ka Fai suspended for this match. So Siu Ki is brought into the lineup in his place. On the bench, Siu Ka Ming is still preferred to Ho Chi Wing as the back up striker, with the latter still trying to recover his full match fitness after his injury earlier in the season.

Maybe it was the big match occasion. Maybe it was the frankly awful playing surface. Or it could have been the persistent drizzle. Either way, the first half was awful, which was a real shame as the largest crowd in Third Division football history in this country had gathered to watch this game. The only significant event of the first half, was an injury, and it was significant for us, as it was Ethan Hallberg who went down, damaging his heel, and unable to run it off. He was substituted moments later, with Siu Ka Ming coming on as his replacement.

The players were told that if they kept working hard, then they would get their reward. North District made their first substitution in the 61st minute, and in the 68th, we made our second, as Sasha Palatnikov was brought off, Toby Down going back into the midfield pairing, and Shaan Nanik coming on to play behind the striker. They responded with their second and third changes in the 71st and 78th minutes. I was happy with what we had on the park, but Toby Down was running out of gas, and came off in the 86th minute for John Benedict Pereira, it would have been a few minutes earlier, but the ball stubbornly refused to go out of play. Despite all those changes, neither side could create a clear cut chance, and it wasn't just stalemate, it was a very stale old match.

Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 0 North District FC (0) 0
Scorers :- None
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee, Chris Barnett, So Siu Ki; Sasha Palatnikov (Shaan Nanik 68), Or Kwok Fai; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down (John Benedict Pereira 86), So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg (inj - Siu Ka Ming 35).
Attendance :- 247. Man of the Match :- Mark Grainger (Sai Kung Friends FC).

That damaged heel suffered in a tackle in that match will put Swedish striker Ethan Hallberg out until the middle of next month. We've been fairly lucky so far with injuries, so I hope we don't start to see a rush of them right after the Transfer Window has closed. I can only assume that the man of the match award was decided by pulling straws. They should have named one of the 249 spectators who sat through that match, as it was not entertaining in the slightest.

Elsewhere in Division Three on Saturday afternoon, C&W District took the chance to close up the gap, as they won 1-0 at St. Joseph's while we were dropping points. And while they were closing the gap, Hoi King were eradicating it entirely and leaping above us into top spot with a 1-0 home win over HKFYG. There was an away win for Wing Go as well over Ornaments. No doubt at all about the performance of the day though, as King Mountain, winless up to this point, got off the mark in some style, thumping KCDRSC 5-1 in Kowloon City. On Sunday, Fukien kept themselves in the hunt with a draw against Islands, while Kui Tan lost ground after losing at home to Hong Kong Telecom, who we travel to face next weekend.

2016 Hong Kong League Third Division Table. Up to & Including Sunday 31st January 2016.

| Pos | Inf   | Team              | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | GD    | Pts   | 

| 1st |       | Hoi King          | 19    | 9     | 7     | 3     | 31    | 16    | 15    | 34    | 
| 2nd |       | Sai Kung Friends  | 19    | 8     | 9     | 2     | 21    | 15    | 6     | 33    |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 3rd |       | C & W District    | 19    | 8     | 8     | 3     | 26    | 14    | 12    | 32    | 
| 4th |       | Fukien            | 19    | 8     | 8     | 3     | 23    | 18    | 5     | 32    | 
| 5th |       | North District    | 19    | 8     | 7     | 4     | 26    | 19    | 7     | 31    | 
| 6th |       | Ornaments         | 19    | 9     | 4     | 6     | 27    | 19    | 8     | 31    | 
| 7th |       | Telecom (HKG)     | 19    | 7     | 9     | 3     | 20    | 15    | 5     | 30    | 
| 8th |       | Kui Tan           | 19    | 8     | 5     | 6     | 23    | 16    | 7     | 29    |
| 9th |       | Islands           | 19    | 6     | 7     | 6     | 25    | 24    | 1     | 25    | 
| 10th|       | Wing Go           | 19    | 5     | 10    | 4     | 19    | 17    | 2     | 25    | 
| 11th|       | St. Joseph's      | 19    | 4     | 9     | 6     | 18    | 20    | -2    | 21    | 
| 12th|       | Sun International | 18    | 3     | 9     | 6     | 11    | 18    | -7    | 18    | 
| 13th|       | KCC               | 18    | 3     | 8     | 7     | 9     | 18    | -9    | 17    |
| 14th|       | KCDRSC            | 19    | 3     | 7     | 9     | 8     | 21    | -13   | 16    | 
| 15th|       | King Mountain     | 19    | 1     | 8     | 10    | 13    | 25    | -12   | 11    |
| 16th|       | HKFYG             | 19    | 1     | 5     | 13    | 10    | 35    | -25   | 8     |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[neilhoskins77]

February 2016.

Over that final weekend of January, the Final of the Under-23 Asian Nations Cup took place, and Iran caused a shock by beating the hot favourites from South Korea. In the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, they threw away the early two goal lead they had built, and by the half hour mark, the Koreans were level. But a goal five minutes before the break put Iran in front again, and they defended for their lives in the second half, to win the tournament. In an event that had been very poorly attended, it was good that there was something resembling a crowd at the Final, with 1,847 attending. With 60% of the ball, and treble the amount of chances created than the new Champions, there would have been despair for the South Koreans, who were expected to win the tournament after being the best team throughout. They would have to wait two years before they could try and get redemption. They did have the consolation of the having the Tournament MVP in their squad, as Sim Gwang-Wook of Jeju United racked up 3 goals and 3 assists in five appearances. The top goalscorer was also wearing the colours of the Taeguk Warriors, as 21 year old Ahn Hyun-Beom of Busan Ipark netted five times in as many matches. The Tournaments All-Star XI was dominated by players from Iran and South Korea, who had four players each represented, and there was also one each from Turkmenistan and Oman, and finally one from the Japanese side I had managed through the event, with Shingo Muraoka inlcuded.

After a day or two back in Hong Kong, and a little bit of thinking time to get used to the idea that Japan didn't think I'd done a good enough job to earn another contract with them, I started to think about how much I had enjoyed being involved in the International arena, and quickly decided that I wanted to jump right back in if there was an opportunity out there. As it turned out, there were a lot of nations looking for new Under-23 managers, and actually a couple that were considering the futures of their Senior managers as well. I applied for the jobs that were vacant, which included nations such as New Zealand, Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, Singapore, Phillippines, Malaysia and Lebanon. It was unlikely any of them would be in any particular rush to make an appointment with no Under-23 matches scheduled until later in the year now.

Our centre back, Chris Barnett was named in the Team of the Month for the Third Division, and Yiu Wing Kei of KCDRSC walked away with the goal of the month award for January. My job status with Sai Kung Friends has dropped very slightly in the last month, but is still at a very healthy 87%, with again the performance in the League contributing highly. However, the review mentions the clubs poor financial status now, and that bet that we have on ourselves to get promoted may well be needed to land just to keep ourselves going next season, never mind thoughts of turning professional. Tso Yu Hei will be back to help us with that goal, as on Tuesday morning the midfielder starts training properly again following his spell on the sidelines with a twisted knee. The other main event of midweek was a League match, though it didn't turn out to be much of an event, as Kowloon Cricket Club hosted Sun International on Wednesday evening, and the two played out a poor goalless draw.

We would play on Sunday this weekend, which meant we could sit back on Saturday and watch what the other clubs could do. C&W District did some damage, not in terms of their performance, which wasn't outstanding in a 1-0 home win over HKFYG, but the result moves them into top spot for the time being at least. There was a 1-0 win for Kui Tan away to Wing Go, which allowed them to keep pace at the sharp end. North District and Ornaments both lost more ground, North held 0-0 at home by KCDRSC, while Ornaments were well beaten away to St. Joseph's. There was a big day for our long term transfer target, Lee Cho Yiu, as the Sun International striker netted for the first time in nine games, which dated back to November. It was a big goal too, a 90th minute equaliser that earned Sun International a 3-3 draw with Islands. And as we've seen before, one win can open the floodgates, as King Mountain got their second win of the campaign just a week after earning their first.

Sunday 7th February 2016 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Tsang Tai Uk Playground, Sha Tin.
Hong Kong Telecom v Sai Kung Friends FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; Sasha Palatnikov, Or Kwok Fai; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Siu Ka Ming.
Substitutes :- Kwan Chak Fai, Wan Chi Pan, Tso Yu Hei, Shaan Nanik, Ho Chi Wing.

Two changes to the lineup that started the goalless draw against North District, with Lai Ka Fai back in at left back after his suspension, replacing So Siu Ki, who drops out of the matchday squad. Up front, Ethan Hallberg's injury means that Siu Ka Ming is our man in the striker role for this one. That free's up a space on the bench that is taken by Ho Chi Wing, while in the other change on the bench, Tso Yu Hei takes the place of John Benedict Pereira.

The artificial surface at Tsang Tai Uk Playground was one of the better surfaces we'd played on recently, and it allowed us to pass the ball around in a manner I loved to see this team do. And in the 17th minute, doing just that earned us the lead. We strung a long sequence of short passes together, and it took a while, but that eventually earned us a way through the home sides defence, with Mark Grainger, Sasha Palatnikov and Tong Chun Yip instrumental in the move. The latter sent a pass into the central area outside the box for Toby Down, and he spun and clipped a ball over the defensive line, with So Chun Ting running onto it from the left corner of the box. The diminutive winger of Brazilian heritage superbly controlled his volley from a difficult height, and guided it beyond the dive of Chan Ka Chung.

We should have been further in front just five minutes later, as their left winger ran down a dead end near the touchline, as Grainger and Chun Yip formed the welcoming committee and took the ball from him, immediately launching a counter attack by sending the ball infield to Siu Ka Ming who had dropped deep. He sent Toby Down clear through on goal with a precise through ball that sprung the offside trap, but Down fluffed his lines, pulling his shot at goal wide of the far post. Still, we reached the halfway point with our lead intact and looking the better of the two sides.

Unfortunately, our start to the second half was not as good as it had been in the first half, and we would pay for that just over ten minutes after the restart. We had not been prone to costly individual errors so far in this campaign, but Mark Grainger would have to shoulder the blame squarely in the 57th minute, as he was caught in possession near the corner of his own box by Cheng Tsz Hin. He squared the ball to Cheung Chun Ming, who in turn slipped a pass to Kwan Yu Kin who had plenty of time and space, and used it to pick a spot in the top corner out of Lee Brown's reach and level the game at a goal apiece.

With all square on the scoreboard, the game tightened up significantly as neither side looked prepared to risk the point they had in their pockets in an attempt to win all three available. A counter attack in the 68th minute did provide us with a gilt edged chance to steal the game, as Siu Ka Ming and Or Kwok Fai combined to send So Chun Ting into the space on the left side. He measured his cross into the box, and picked out Sasha Palatnikov, but the Russian wanted too much time to get his shot away, and was crowded out. I made a treble change in the 72nd minute, replacing Darren McEntee, Or Kowk Fai and Siu Ka Ming with Kwan Chak Fai, Tso Yu Hei and Ho Chi Wing. That had little impact in making us more of a threat, and with five minutes left, Hong Kong Telecom crafted their best chance to win the game. Cheung Chun Ming lined up a free kick to the left of our penalty box, and in a training ground move all their players moved towards the far post area as it was struck, apart from one. That was Chan Sing Yeung, left unmarked by our defence who had followed everyone else into the near post area. He swept his firmly struck half volley towards goal, but Brown held it well, and we held onto the point.

Hong Kong Telecom (0) 1 Sai Kung Friends FC (1) 1
Scorers :- So Chun Ting (17)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee (Kwan Chalk Fai 72), Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; Sasha Palatnikov, Or Kwok Fai (Tso Yu Hei 72); Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Siu Ka Ming (Ho Chi Wing 72).
Attendance :- 16. Man of the Match :- Toby Down (Sai Kung Friends).

In the only other Third Division match on this day, there was another stalemate between two sides who were still very much in the hunt for the two promotion spots, as Fukien held Hoi King to a 0-0 draw. The Sunday matches completed, the table still offered little in the way of clues as to who would occupy the two places above the dotted line and a move into the Second Division in the summer. With ten days now until our next League match, an away game with St. Josephs, it was getting into the time of year where contracts would start to be discussed, and that includes mine.....

2015/16 Hong Kong Third Division, Top Half of the Table. Up to & Including Sunday 7th February 2016

| Pos | Inf   | Team              | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | GD    | Pts   |                            

| 1st |       | C & W District    | 20    | 9     | 8     | 3     | 27    | 14    | 13    | 35    |
| 2nd |       | Hoi King          | 20    | 9     | 8     | 3     | 31    | 16    | 15    | 35    |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 3rd |       | Sai Kung Friends  | 20    | 8     | 10    | 2     | 22    | 16    | 6     | 34    |
| 4th |       | Fukien            | 20    | 8     | 9     | 3     | 23    | 18    | 5     | 33    |
| 5th |       | Kui Tan           | 20    | 9     | 5     | 6     | 24    | 16    | 8     | 32    |
| 6th |       | North District    | 20    | 8     | 8     | 4     | 26    | 19    | 7     | 32    |
| 7th |       | Ornaments         | 20    | 9     | 4     | 7     | 27    | 22    | 5     | 31    |
| 8th |       | Telecom (HKG)     | 20    | 7     | 10    | 3     | 21    | 16    | 5     | 31    |

 

[neilhoskins77]

February 2016 (cont).

After a day off on Monday, I walked into the stadium on Tuesday morning, and went to the Boardroom to seek out the Chairman. After checking he was able to spare me some time, we sat down in the Boardroom, and I approached the subject of my contract, and if they intended offering me a renewal. He asked me if I wanted a new deal, and I replied that I was very interested in staying in Sai Kung. He smiled, and said that if that was the case, a new deal would be prepared and offered this week. I didn't envisage it would be that straightforward, after all, this was my first time discussing a contract renewal. He told me that they had already talked about it at Boardroom level some time ago, but decided to wait until I came to them, as they wanted to be sure that I actually wanted to stay.

The very next day, the club came back to me, and discussions got right underway. The club stated that they were very satisfied with my performance as Manager of the club to date, and that they would like to offer a new deal that would be effective immediately. With neither side requesting any changes to philosophy or Board requests, we got straight into the numbers game. With the club still at a semi professional level, they were not in a position to offer anything other than a one year contract extension. With that part taken care off as well, it was now just down to wages and bonuses. The club did not offer a pay increase to start with, so I started the negotiation with that, and also looked at bonus payments and conditions. The club were not quite prepared to meet my request for a £275 per week salary, but we fairly quickly agreed on a figure of £240, an increase of £30 per week on my current deal. I was successful in negotiating a £750 bonus should we achieve promotion, and a 20% pay increase if we are playing Second Division football next season, which would effectively take my salary up over and above what I had requested. The final piece was quite important to me, and I pushed hard on it. The tricky situation of how much of my contract another club would need to pay should they wish to secure my services while I was still contracted. If an opportunity should come my way in Europe, or a larger club in Asia, I didn't want them to be deterred by a large buy out fee. Ideally, I would have liked this to be zero, while understandably, the club wouldn't allow that, and they wanted it to be 50%. I consider it a win that I talked them down to 10%, and the contract was signed by the time Wednesday was out. The club and Chairman released statements, both saying they're delighted that I've shown commitment to the club by signing a contract extension. When contacted by the press for a comment, I told them that I was delighted to be staying, and hoped to continue the job that we had started this season.

The remainder of the week was fairly uneventful, our Under-18's added a fixture to their calendar with a match against Kui Tan Reserves added for Sunday, and Ethan Hallberg returned to training after his injury, which is certainly a boost to the squad. Another member of the squad is unhappy with his game opportunities, with Lai Kwok Kwan frustrated at being unable to budge So Chun Ting out of the lineup. He came to the office to tell me that he may have to consider moving if he continues to be left out. I tell him that while I don't wish to lose him from the squad, right now, our Brazilian winger is in great form, so I can only suggest that he uses the Reserve and Under-18 matches to impress and make sure he is ready should Chun Ting suffer a slump in form or an injury. Needless to say, he didn't feel particularly reassured by our chat. He played an hour of Sunday's match against Kui Tan Reserves, but like many others on that particular afternoon, it was a struggle to make an impression. In fact, the only player in our colours to emerge with any credit at all was young right back Liam Key. There was some valuable game time for Ethan Hallberg, who played the second half. The only other news before our next match brought a smile to my face. Ko Sowa, one of the star performers of my Japan Under-23's squad in Qatar recently, has been signed on a pre contract agreement by his J-League One side, Kawasaki Frontale. The contract will come into force in March 2017 when he turns 16 years of age, and his performances in the recent Continental tournament are cited as one of the reasons why the club have been so quick to secure his signature. The teenager looks set for a very bright future.

Wednesday 17th February 2016 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Ma On Sha Artificial Turf Football Park, Ma On Sha.
St. Joseph's FC v Sai Kung Friends FC.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; Sasha Palatnikov, Or Kwok Fai; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ho Chi Wing.
Substitutes :- Kwan Chak Fai, Wan Chi Pan, Tso Yu Hei, Shaan Nanik, Ethan Hallberg.

Not so much in the way of team news to tell you about for this difficult looking away match. Just one change in the lineup, with Siu Ka Ming dropped out of the matchday squad altogether, with Ho Chi Wing selected to start up front, with Ethan Hallberg taking the place he vacates on the subs bench. The bookies have us as second favourites for this match, with St Joseph's pretty strong at home. On another artificial surface, I was hoping our passing would see us have three points by the end of the evening.

Midway through the first half, it was a set piece that unhinged the St Joseph's defence, a So Chun Ting corner was sent towards the penalty spot, and Chris Barnett managed to get the ball down, and found the feet of Toby Down, who swept the ball into the net from close range. Sadly, the goal wouldn't count, an eagle eyed official spotting that Barnett had in fact used his hand and not his head to manouvere the ball down to Toby Down. The replay showed what he had done much more clearly, and Barnett was very lucky to avoid a yellow card, as were the half dozen St Jospeh's players who surrounded the ref with their arms raised, albeit more in anger than seeking to gain an advantage as Barnett had been.

At the break I urged my players to keep pushing forward, and around five minutes into the second half they did so successfully. Li Hoi Chung aimed a cross from the right towards the edge of our box, but Irish centre back Darren McEntee not only intercepted it, but he also quickly sent Tong Chun Yip into space on the right so he could counter attack. And didn't he accept that invite, as he ghosted between two challenges, and then beat another opponent for pace along the touchline. He was quickly halfway inside the opponents half, and he gave the ball to Or Kwok Fai in the middle, who wrong footed the defence who were trying to cover back across the park by sending it back where it had come from to Sasha Palatnikov. With the St. Joseph's defence in disarray, he picked a through ball to Toby Down, and he became our leading goalscorer this season with a powerful rising shot that found the gap between keeper and upright, his sixth goal of the campaign.

The home side made an immediate change in their midfield, and in the 67th minute, I made two of my own, bringing off Or Kwok Fai and an ineffective Ho Chi Wing, and replacing them with Tso Yu Hei and Ethan Hallberg. And ten minutes later, we were caught cold. We'd controlled the match well since the goal, but we did a poor job in the 75th minute when Cui Lin took control after a throw in. He laid it back into the path of Ma Man Chun, who had a better angle to cross from near the corner of our box, and he sent his delivery in towards the far post. McEntee was caught flat footed, and even grabbing a handful of the jersey of Matthew Paterson wasn't enough to stop the English striker reaching the ball and ramming it home from close range for his first goal of the season. Conceding that goal was a real kick in the guts, as St Joseph's had created little else, and the goal was a real sucker punch. It was starting to feel like we were dropping too many points.

St Joseph's (0) 1 Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 1
Scorers :- Toby Down (51)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; Sasha Palatnikov, Or Kwok Fai (Tso Yu Hei 67); Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ho Chi Wing (Ethan Hallberg 67).
Attendance :- 25. Man of the Match :- Sasha Palatnikov (Sai Kung Friends).

That really did feel like two points that got away. We had nearly two thirds of the ball, and created a dozen chances. They created just one. The plus side of the evening was Sasha Palatnikov, who set up the goal, and had his best outing so far for us. C&W District's 2-0 home win over Fukien moves them a bit further away from us at the top, and a 3-1 win for Hoi King at King Mountain pushes them out of our immediate reach as well. The damage of our own draw was limited as Kui Tan, North District and Ornaments all only managed draws themselves. Saturday's home match against Wing Go is now a very important one for us. They are a side that just cost a manager his job, Chan Kwok Leung has been shown the door by KCDRSC after the side could only manage a draw against Wing Go. The media are of the opinion that player power cost him his job, so hopefully for them the players will be happier with Kwok Ka Hei, as the 41 year old Head of Youth Development takes caretaker charge of the side.

[neilhoskins77]

February 2016 (cont).

The weekend approached quickly, and brought another game, a home match with Wing Go. After the disappointment of dropping points from winning positions in each of our last two matches, it's hoped a return to playing at home will bring a return to form and rejuvenate our push for promotion. A win is expected from us in this match, and we're odds on favourites to bag the three points, in front of what will be another League leading crowd. On the morning of the match, young centre back Poon Sing Yam comes to the office to say he isn't happy with not getting a game. I tell him I'd rather discuss this after the match or another day, but he leaves the office in a temper, and returns twenty minutes later with some backup, in the form of Tso Yu Hei and Shaan Nanik. I told them I didn't know why they were in my office before kick off on a matchday, especially for something that is nothing to do with them. They are told to leave and return their focus on preparing for the match, and do it quickly, or their places in the matchday squad would go to someone else. The young centre back was furious, and said he wanted to leave the club. I reminded him who's in charge, and told him that I would decide when he leaves. There was actually some good news on Saturday morning, as our Coach, 32 year old Lui Wai Chun, confirms that he has finished his coaching licence studies, and now owns a National 'A' Licence. We already have the best backroom staff in the Division, and now it just got a bit better.

Saturday 20th February 2016 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground, Sai Kung.
Sai Kung Friends FC v Wing Go.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; Sasha Palatnikov, Tso Yu Hei; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Kwan Chak Fai, Wan Chi Pan, Or Kwok Fai, Shaan Nanik, Ho Chi Wing.

Two changes from last time out, as Tso Yu Hei is brought into midfield to partner Sasha Palatnikov, a decision that was made before his impromptu visit to the office earlier in the day. That means that Or Kwok Fai is dropped down to the bench. In the other change, Ethan Hallberg is recalled to start up front, switching places with Ho Chi Wing, who didn't play well at St. Joseph's, and is probably a little bit fortunate to be in the squad at all for this match.

Three minutes into the match, and I start to wish I had made more than just two changes. Ng King Tin whips in a corner that Tso Yu Hei heads clear, but only straight back to the corner taker. With a second attempt granted, this time, he puts it into the danger zone, and unsure if it's too close for his defenders to deal with it, Lee Brown makes the decision to come off his line for the ball. It was the wrong decision. The ball flew by him, and unmarked, three yards out, and a gaping goal in front of him, James Beacher wasn't likely to miss, and we are behind.

I was at least happy to see my players keep their heads up, and they started working towards getting right back into the match. Chris Barnett and Sasha Palatnikov may have been a little over exuberent in doing so, as both picked up yellow cards. But on the half hour we got our reward for our endeavour. Visiting left back Chan Ho Chun found himself penned in near the corner flag, and his clearance had an anywhere will do feel about it. Palatnikov was in place, and played a one-two with Tso Yu Hei, before finding Ethan Hallberg on the edge of the box. The Swede dropped a shoulder, made a yard of space, and then placed his left footed low shot perfectly, beyond Choy Yiu Fai's dive, and into the bottom corner. Once again, he is level with Toby Down as our top goalscorer. He might have a chance to pull himself clear of Down as well, as with half time approaching, our shadow
striker took a knock to his thigh, and would need to be assessed at the break.

The feeling was that it would be too risky to leave Down on, and with big games coming up, he was taken off at the break. Palatnikov left the match at the same time, as he had also taken a kick, though his substitution was much more precautionary as he was also on a yellow card, and we had Or Kwok Fai on the bench. Shaan Nanik replaced Toby Down. But as the rain started to fall, and our already poor playing surface got gradually worse, it was starting to look like three points would evade us once more this afternoon.

With just eight minutes left on the clock, I chanced my luck. Lai Ka Fai came off, Ho Chi Wing came on. The striker would pair with Hallberg up front to create a strike partnership, something I very rarely used. We'd be left with three at the back, Mark Grainger playing as a makeshift centre back, and I asked the players to get the ball up the park much more directly. Tong Chun Yip sent the ball down into the right corner for Hallberg to chase as we entered the final minute of the two additional signalled by the fourth official. Hallberg chased the defender down, and forced him into a back pass that the keeper struggled to control. When he cleared the ball, it didn't even reach halfway, and Or Kwok Fai headed it down to Nanik. A quick pass to Tso Yu Hei, and he sent it on to Ho Chi Wing, but the striker looked offside. The flag stayed down, and he launched a shot that Choy Yiy Fai did well to push away, but the loose ball went right into the path of the oncoming So Chun Ting, and he placed his shot just inside the near post, the keeper getting a touch with his leg but only helping it into the net. The replays would show that Ho Chi Wing had stayed onside, just. Wing Go's players were furious, two of them receiving yellow cards for remonstrating with the officials. There was barely even time to restart the match. We were back on the winning trail!

Sai Kung Friends FC (1) 2 Wing Go (1) 1
Scorers :- Ethan Hallberg (31), So Chun Ting (90+2)
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai (Ho Chi Wing 82); Sasha Palatnikov (Or Kwok Fai 45), Tso Yu Hei; Tong Chun Yip, Toby Down (inj - Shaan Nanik 45), So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Attendance :- 169. Man of the Match :- Ethan Hallberg (Sai Kung Friends).

That could well be a very important result for us, but there are plenty of big games ahead, and we need to start turning some more draws into wins if we're going to stay in the hunt for promotion. Toby Down is likely to miss our next match, he has some pretty severe bruising on his thigh, but thankfully it's nothing more serious than that. C&W District continue their excellent form at the top, winning 2-0 away to the Ornaments side that we face next weekend. Fukien appear to be hitting form at the right time too, as they win by the same scoreline away to bottom of the table HKFYG. The same couldn't be said of Hoi King or Kui Tan, who were both held to 1-1 draws at home to Sun International and St Joseph's respectively. At least we have managed to gain some ground this weekend then. Hong Kong Telecom's outside chances of getting involved are lengthening all the time, as they are held away to KCDRSC. On Sunday there is a home win for Islands over King Mountain.

**I've had a laptop issue this past week, and the system got stuck in the automatic repair loop. In the end, I had to wipe everything and reinstall it all, but the game was backed up, so I still have it. I do use a lot of data expansion to make extra League's playable, and I am a bit concerned that they may become unstable with everything being moved back into place from backup files. It's a case of fingers crossed, and see how we progress. Cheers.**

[neilhoskins77]

February 2016 (cont).

There was still one match left of Round 22 of games, and that was played on Wednesday evening, and this League full of draws produced yet another, as Kowloon Cricket Club dealt North District's promotion hopes another blow, as they held their visitors to a goalless draw. The week flew by for us, and propelled us right into the middle of a group of three consecutive home matches, where this time we would host Gold and Silver Ornaments. They would be looking for a win to keep alive their dwindling hopes of promotion, while we were once again nailed on favourites for a match that would attract another big crowd in relative terms.

Saturday 27th February 2016 - Hong Kong League, Division Three.
Sai Kung Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground, Sai Kung.
Sai Kung Friends FC v Gold and Silver Ornaments.
(4-2-3-1) :- Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee, Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; Sasha Palatnikov, Tso Yu Hei; Tong Chun Yip, Shaan Nanik, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Substitutes :- Kwan Chak Fai, Wan Chi Pan, Or Kwok Fai, John Benedict Pereira, Ho Chi Wing.

The injury to Toby Down means that there is a starting spot for Shann Nanik in this match, and John Benedict Pereira benefits with a place on the bench. Other than that, it's the same matchday squad that battled to a late win here last weekend against Wing Go. As the games tick down to the end of the season, and our promotion hopes are still very much alive, there is an air of expectancy amongst the fans before this match.

Unfortunately, they were treated to a match that was about as good as the pitch. Tong Chun Yip wasted an early chance to deliver a cross, electing instead to try and beat his defender to get to the touchline, and losing his opportunity. As attacking action went, that was about all that was on offer in the first half, where the only other highlight was an Ornaments defender picking up a booking midway through the opening forty five minutes.

Eleven minutes into the second half, and our tactics were disrupted as Tong Chun Yip was injured and had to leave the park. With no natural replacement to call upon from the bench, Or Kwok Fai was asked to play out of position. Midway through the half as we were looking to try and push forward a little, we were so nearly caught out at the other end. Yiu Hok Leung burst through the centre circle, and then played the ball to the feet of Tse Fu Man. He spotted the run of Chan Tin Lok who had run off the shoulder of Lai Ka Fai and was in on goal, but he wasted the chance, curling the shot over the angle of post and cross bar.

Shortly after that, Tso Yu Hei made way for John Benedict Pereira. With eight minutes left on the clock, Mak Yiu Tak lifted the ball over the heads of our defenders, and fellow sub Tang Tak Man cut inside Mark Grainger and blasted a shot at goal, that Lee Brown managed to get hands to and keep out. Darren McEntee came off for Kwan Chak Fai to put some fresh legs into our back four, but we were poor today and maybe a little lucky to escape with a draw. We failed to register a single shot today, on or off target.

Sai Kung Friends FC (0) 0 Gold and Silver Ornaments (0) 0
Scorers :- None
Lee Brown (capt); Mark Grainger, Darren McEntee (Kwan Chak Fai 83), Chris Barnett, Lai Ka Fai; Sasha Palatnikov, Tso Yu Hei (John Benedict Pereira 71); Tong Chun Yip (inj - Or Kwok Fai 56), Shaan Nanik, So Chun Ting; Ethan Hallberg.
Attendance :- 214. Man of the Match :- Fung Kwok Yan (Ornaments).

It's a thigh strain for young on loan winger Tong Chun Yip, and he will now be out of action for around a month. That will mean Lai Ming Lai and Chau Chun Hung will compete for the right wing spot over the coming weeks. It's not the best time to lose our assist leader. If we were fortunate that we had only managed a draw, we were even more fortunate when the rest of the day's results came in, as five games produced four draws including our own match. In the other two games of main interest to ourselves, Hoi King and North District played out a 1-1 draw, while the match between Kui Tan and C&W District finished goalless. In a basement match, HKFYG and King Mountain drew one each, while the only win of the day went to St Joseph's, who were victorious 1-0 away to KCDRSC. So it wasn't all bad news, and we were even helped out by Hoi King losing their top scorer, Ko Chun, for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone.

Our poor pitch was in an even worse state by Sunday evening, as our Reserves hosted the second string of First Division club Wan Chai Sports Federation. The match was played at lunchtime during a downpour that saw the park cut up pretty badly. It wasn't an issue for unhappy centre back Poon Sing Yam, who opened the scoring with a superb header from a corner with just about ten minutes left on the clock, but the visitors managed an equaliser in injury time to earn a draw. The month ended with us getting the knock back from a defender from Trinidad and Tobago. The physical 25 year old looked to be keeping us as very much a last option as it was, but when he got the chance to move to Azerbaijan top tier side Kapaz Pesakar Futbol Klubu, and earn around a grand a week into the bargain, we had no chance of convincing him to come to us. He even had half a chance of playing European Club Football with them next season. We would have to look elsewhere, while concentrating on next weekend's vital tilt with promotion rivals and current leaders, C&W District.

[neilhoskins77]

**The save has indeed been made unstable by the reinstallation of the files from backup, and unfortunately, that means that this adventure ends here. If you're interested, we failed to achieve promotion. A win on the final day would have sent us up, and a draw might have been good enough as well depending on other results. As it was, we choked at home and lost out on promotion by virtue of goal difference. The laptop is still a little worse for wear, though I'm hoping it's sorted in the next day or two, and a brand new save will begin. Hopefully, I might even get this one past a season......**