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Paul McNamara

The local football association has planted its flag in the camp of Gianni Infantino, the embattled Fifa president who is expected in Hong Kong for the final of the second-tier Asean Cup on October 3.
At a media event to announce details for the coming competition on Friday, Eric Fok Kai-shan fudged the direct question over whether Infantino retained his organisation’s backing.
But the chairman of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) said that “whoever supports Hong Kong football development, we will support, and we are working closely with Fifa on delivering this landmark event”.
Busy trying to curry favour with member associations ahead of March’s election, Infantino’s grip on power weakened after his cloak-and-dagger plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors was exposed in July.
Exactly two months before the deadline for candidates to put their hands up to challenge Infantino, the Swiss lawyer appeared on video at the Fifa Asean Cup press briefing, congratulating the HKFA for their involvement in “this spectacular event”.
“You will see the best of football in Southeast Asia: emotions, passion and goals,” Infantino said. “You will see the best of Fifa at your doorstep, and broadcast to the entire universe.”

Setting aside for a moment the absurdity of Infantino’s grandstanding over a tournament in which world No 156 Hong Kong are the highest ranked of the six entrants, his remote appearance further underlined the strengthening ties he has forged with local officials.
Last week, the HKFA posted an image on its Instagram account that captured Infantino sandwiched by Pui Kwan-kay and Charles Cheung Yim-yau, the HKFA president and general secretary, respectively.
“[HKFA] is a member of the Fifa family, and we strive to bring in more tournaments,” Fok said. “Working with Fifa and having this tournament being developed in Hong Kong shows [Fifa’s] trust in Hong Kong’s professionalism and [ability to] bring more international football.”
Pressed on whether the HKFA’s self-stated tight relationship with the global governing body could be interpreted as support for its figurehead, Fok said that was “a decision for the board”, and that this was “not the time to talk about it, because it’s not on the agenda, right now”.
“The [election] will be next year, and we’ll be closely looking at the whole process,” Fok added. “But we see big support from Fifa for the development of Hong Kong football and we’re working closely [together]. They’ve delivered this tournament and we’re excited to have all the matches.”
While India reneged on their initial interest in joining the inaugural Asean Cup’s “Premier Division” in Indonesia, in favour of hosting friendlies against Brazil, Uruguay and Panama, and traditional rivals Singapore recently secured home friendly dates with Paraguay and Brazil, Hong Kong are poised for games against Laos and Brunei, Nos 185 and 194 in the world, respectively.
Assuming they do not come unstuck, the city team will probably face either world No 158 Myanmar or 175th-ranked Cambodia in the final. Those sides are grouped with Timor-Leste, who are 201st in the global standings.
The South China Morning Post has been told that Uruguay, now managed by former Kitchee striker Diego Forlan, expressed interest in coming to play Hong Kong in the forthcoming Fifa window. They will instead have matches in Japan and South Korea before going to India.
Fok said the HKFA had received “many enquiries” but that “for us it’s about bringing quality tournaments during the Fifa windows”.
“It’s important to progress our ranking, and to play at Kai Tak Stadium where we can have more supporters,” Fok said.
“I believe this is a prestigious tournament with prestigious teams. We should be positive and look forward to it.”
After the HKFA announced on June 5 that it planned to stage the Asean Cup “Challenge Division” there was a 97-day information vacuum before they confirmed arrangements on September 10.

Theodore Giannikos, who flew in for the soft launch three months ago in his role as Fifa’s director of strategic projects partnerships and media, quietly left the organisation in July.
He was appointed CEO of English Premier League club Nottingham Forest this month.
Fok said that HKFA had been dictated to by “Fifa’s protocols and timetable” but that conversations over staging the Asean Cup began late last year.
“We appreciate the trust [invested in us] because it shows Hong Kong has the environment, infrastructure and professionalism to host such a tournament,” Fok said.
For Roberto Losada, the Hong Kong head coach, the competition will provide an opportunity to kick-start his tenure. Appointed in June, he began with a flat 2-0 victory over Mongolia, before feeling the full fury of supporters following a tame 2-0 surrender in Cambodia.
“That’s the life of a coach,” Fok said. “The HKFA is giving the best support to the fans, to the players and to the coaches. That’s our role, and we believe we’ve done our part.”
Fok had no news over who the city team would face in Fifa’s November window, but did not reject the prospect of the two-leg Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup being played then instead of in its traditional December and January slot.
“We’re reviewing everything, but our priority is the Asean Cup,” he said. “We have different enquiries for different periods, so we’re looking for the best combination and we hope to set a clear calendar going forward.”
Tickets to watch Laos play Brunei, and Myanmar tackle Timor-Leste, at Mong Kok Stadium on September 24 will cost HK$150. Hong Kong’s Kai Tak game against Laos on September 27 will be followed by Cambodia against Myanmar. The city team meet Brunei at the same venue on September 30, directly after Timor-Leste clash with Cambodia.
Tickets for both dates, as well as for the final, are priced between HK$80 and HK$200. A three-day Kai Tak package is available for HK$520.
“It’s kicking off very soon, I will be there and enjoying it,” Infantino said. “Congratulations to president Pui from the Hong Kong FA.”


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Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s grip on power weakened after his cloak-and-dagger plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors was exposed in July. Photo: Reuters

Fifa president Gianni Infantino (centre) with HKFA president Pui Kwan-kay (left) and general secretary Charles Cheung. Photo: Instagram/HKFA

Hong Kong head coach Roberto Losada has a chance to kick-start his tenure at the Asean Cup. Photo: Facebook/HKFA

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Coleman Wong will bear a heavy burden for Hong Kong at the Asian Games. Photo: AFP

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Sport

Football

Fifa president set to visit city for Asean Cup final next month, as chairman hails local association’s close ties with global governing body


Fifa president set to visit city for Asean Cup final next month, as chairman hails local association’s close ties with global governing body.


Kai Tak Sports Park

Roberto Losada

Eric Fok Kai-shan

Fifa

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

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Fifa president set to visit city for Asean Cup final next month, as chairman hails local association’s close ties with global governing body

Fifa president set to visit city for Asean Cup final next month, as chairman hails local association’s close ties with global governing body