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Paul McNamara

Anson Wong Ho-chun spelled out his intention to “shoot for the stars” and become one of the Chinese Super League’s best young players, after completing a move from Eastern to Qingdao Hainiu.
The 22-year-old is the third Eastern player in quick succession to secure a mainland switch, after Jesse Yu Joy-yin and Ng Yu-hei joined clubs in China League One in the past month.
Wong acknowledged he was heading into the unknown, but said he had to accept Qingdao’s offer or risk future feelings of “huge regret”.
The midfielder, who spent 2.5 years with Eastern, has two senior Hong Kong caps and played in both legs of last month’s Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup.
“I like to aim high and shoot for the stars, so even though I know there will be a settling-in period, I want to be the best player in the team and one of the best young players in the league,” Wong said. “I want to prove my ability as soon as I set foot on the pitch.”
After two productive campaigns, Wong started only six of his 19 Eastern outings this season. However, he had “no doubts” about saying yes to Qingdao, who finished 14th in last season’s CSL.
“Any player wants new experiences and I’m excited to see what’s in store,” Wong said. “No one knows how it’ll go, or if I’ll be a good fit for the team. I’m ready to take on any challenge, though, because uncertainties don’t cause me any doubts. What happens in the future is in God’s plan.
“If I didn’t take this move, it could potentially be a huge regret in my life.”

Wong, Yu and Ng have joined Hong Kong colleagues Sun Ming-him, Shinichi Chan, Oliver Gerbig and Tsui Wang-kit in crossing to the mainland over the past 12 months. Another Eastern player, Alex Jojo, has interest from two CSL teams, but his Swedish parent club IK Oddevold are demanding a steep fee for a defender they never chose in their starting 11.
“Hong Kong players all have a point to prove and these moves show we are producing top-quality individuals,” Wong said. “I want to make sure I’m a good example of a Hong Kong player performing.”
Wong is undecided over whether to put on hold the marketing degree from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology he is scheduled to finish this summer. “Football is my priority and my dream, and life is about chasing dreams,” he said.
The former South China and Lee Man player cited 2024 Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri, who completed a business administration degree two years after his 2019 transfer to Manchester City, as evidence football and education can go hand in hand.
“I’m grateful to my parents for how they allowed me to pursue football, while making sure I had an education,” Wong said. “There doesn’t have to be a trade-off between education and football.”

Wong hoped his move would turn the head of Hong Kong boss Ashley Westwood, but acknowledged representative team selection was “not in my hands”.
“I have to improve every day, make sure I’m in my best form and be ready for any challenge,” he added.
Wong, Ng and Yu, who did not want to discuss his move to Shijiazhuang Gongfu, were all at Mong Kok Stadium to watch Eastern’s Senior Shield final victory over Lee Man on Thursday.
“This team is still a family for me and these guys are more than my teammates,” Wong said. “I was so happy to see them happy – that is what I want for the people around me.”


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The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong midfielder aiming to be best in Chinese Super League after Qingdao Hainiu move

Anson Wong (No 8) in action during Hong Kong under-23s’ Asian Games semi-final campaign in 2023. Photo: Dickson Lee

Wong (left) contests possession during his senior Hong Kong debut against Malaysia in March 2023. Photo: HKFA

Manchester City midfielder Rodri finished a business degree two years after joining the club. Photo: Reuters

Promoter makes progress on ‘big European team’ in Hong Kong but first, some football legends

Brazilian World Cup winners Cafu (left) and Rivaldo will part of the World Legends team playing against Hong Kong Legends. Photo: Edmond So 

Ex-internationals Huang Yang (left) and Chan Wai-ho (middle) will play for Hong Kong Legends. Photo: Edmond So 

Promoter Paul Kam says the team visiting Hong Kong in May will be “very popular” with local fans. Photo: Edmond So 

From left, Petr Cech, Hidetoshi Nakata and Diego Forlan are also in the World Legends squad. Photo: Edmond So 

Senior Shield: Eastern win Hong Kong season’s first silverware – but celebrating is banned

Eastern players lift the Senior Shield trophy at Mong Kok Stadium. Photo: Elson Li

Eastern’s Marcos Gondra (in blue) leaps with Lee Man’s Mitchel Paulissen. Photo: Elson Li

Eastern’s Noah Baffoe draws a save from Chan Ka-ho. Photo: Elson Li

Sport

Football

Hong Kong

Anson Wong knows he is heading into the unknown with move to mainland, but midfielder says rejecting offer could have led to ‘huge regret’


Anson Wong knows he is heading into the unknown with move to mainland, but midfielder says rejecting offer could have led to ‘huge regret’.


Chinese Super League

Hong Kong midfielder aiming to be best in Chinese Super League after Qingdao Hainiu move

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Anson Wong knows he is heading into the unknown with move to mainland, but midfielder says rejecting offer could have led to ‘huge regret’

Anson Wong knows he is heading into the unknown with move to mainland, but midfielder says rejecting offer could have led to ‘huge regret’