appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Paul McNamara

Six years after he disappointed his mum by quitting school at 16, goalkeeper Pong Cheuk-hei is shining for record-breaking Kitchee and pressing for a senior international Hong Kong debut this month.
“It was a good bet,” Pong said of his decision to abandon education after Ho Kwok-chuen, the former Hong Kong goalkeeper who was coaching at Resources Capital, asked the non-committed student: “If you’re just going to waste time in class why not come to train every day?”
“I bet on myself that I could get much stronger than other keepers my age if they were combining playing with studying,” Pong said. “I’m winning the bet.”
Not that the 22-year-old’s gamble always appeared destined to pay off.
Currently the No 1 for a Kitchee side that beat Kowloon City 4-0 on Saturday for a record 11th straight Hong Kong Premier League victory, Pong spent the past three seasons “learning how to lose”.
Across spells with lowly trio HK U23, Resources Capital and North District, he conceded 198 goals in 68 matches and twice finished bottom of the league.

“It felt hopeless, to be honest,” he said. “You’d go training and everyone’s head was down, some people had no motivation. I was trying to play for myself, to shine and save as many shots as I could, so this day would come. It was a great experience for me.”
After shoulder surgery delayed his start to this campaign, the unflappable Pong has kept five clean sheets in 11 games and let in only eight goals.
His “first lesson” after joining Kitchee was in how to maintain focus for the long periods when he is undisturbed.
“The coaches tell me to keep talking; to the team or just to myself,” he said. “It’s hard for me, I’m still learning.”
The perilous life of goalkeepers was illustrated last week when Antonin Kinsky twice gifted goals to Atletico Madrid before being hauled off after 17 minutes of Tottenham Hotspur’s 5-2 Champions League defeat.
“I watched him before he joined Tottenham and he was great. I’m sure he’ll get his confidence back very soon,” said Pong, who back in January allowed a tame shot to squirm beyond him in a Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup tie.
“I came back to Kitchee with my head down, I felt hopeless,” he said. “The head coach [Inigo Calderon] told me it wasn’t my first mistake and won’t be my last. Now, f*** it, I don’t care.
“I sometimes think too much … I have high standards for myself, but the more you think, the worse it gets.”
Pong opted to have his shoulder fixed last summer rather than wait one year so that he is available for the Asian Games in September. Fears that Hong Kong might not be eligible to participate were quashed last week.

“When I heard it might be cancelled for us I was a little bit down, but thought, ‘s*** happens’,” said Pong, who was an unused squad member when Hong Kong reached the semi-finals in 2023. “Now we’re back and I’m very happy.”
The deserved man of the match when Hong Kong beat FC Seoul in last month’s Chinese New Year Cup, Pong could potentially make a full international debut when the city team play away games against Nepal and India on March 26 and 31, respectively.
“I hope so, but I don’t want to think too much because I don’t want to put pressure on myself, or be disappointed,” he said. “I’ll keep working hard and wait for my opportunity. I’m still not satisfied with myself, I think I can do much better.”
There is no time, then, for Pong to revisit his studies.
“My mum still wants me to go back to school, or to do a degree, but I don’t care,” he said. “Maybe in future, but if I study in the afternoon, I’ll lose concentration in the morning.”


Hong Kong hero back in town for Fifa Asean Cup, as current coach plays down key-man exit

After chaotic start, are five-time Hong Kong champions a club in crisis or transition?

Fok fudges but Hong Kong football chiefs appear ready to make Gianni Infantino their man

Asian Games: meet the footballer with Japanese blood ‘ready to fight for Hong Kong’

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong goalkeeper ‘winning bet’ after quitting school for football

Pong Cheuk-hei is currently the No 1 for a record-breaking Kitchee side that beat Kowloon City 4-0 on Saturday. Photo: Kitchee SC

Pong Cheuk-hei is enjoying being part of a winning team with Kitchee. Photo: Kitchee SC

Pong Cheuk-hei steps out for Kitchee’s clash with Kowloon City on Saturday. Photo: Kitchee SC

Hong Kong boss hopes playing at Asian Games helps usher in professional women’s game

Ricardo Rambo leads his Hong Kong women’s side through a training session. Photo: Sun Yeung

Chu Po-yan in action during one of Hong Kong’s two home friendlies against Malaysia last year. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong fans create a party atmosphere during the 5-0 win over Malaysia last October. Photo: Elson Li

Coleman Wong encouraged to ‘use racquet to express values on court’ ahead of Miami Open

Coleman Wong played five three-set matches in five days during his quarter-final run at the Copa Cap Cana tournament. Photo: EPA

Coleman Wong’s coach James Allemby urged his player to guard against complacency in Miami. Photo: Elson Li

Coleman Wong (right) beat current world No 8 Ben Shelton at the Miami Open last year. Photo: AFP

Sport

Football

Pong Cheuk-hei pushing for first international cap after excellent start with new club Kitchee following three years ‘learning how to lose’


Pong Cheuk-hei pushing for first international cap after excellent start with new club Kitchee following three years ‘learning how to lose’.


Hong Kong Premier League

Kitchee SC

Hong Kong goalkeeper ‘winning bet’ after quitting school for football

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Pong Cheuk-hei pushing for first international cap after excellent start with new club Kitchee following three years ‘learning how to lose’

Pong Cheuk-hei pushing for first international cap after excellent start with new club Kitchee following three years ‘learning how to lose’