Kitchee coach calls for better conditions to grow Hong Kong football
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 5 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Kitchee head coach Inigo Calderon has called on Hong Kong football authorities to take action to grow the sport, after his side delivered what he described as "probably the most complete" performance of his 15-month reign in a 5-1 victory over Lee Man . The Spanish coach, speaking from a position of strength following the emphatic win, criticized longstanding issues with kick-off times and pitch conditions that he believes are harming the game's appeal . The match at Mong Kok Stadium drew a crowd of 3,393 spectators, highlighting both the potential and the current limitations of Hong Kong's football scene .
Key Points
- Kitchee thrashed Lee Man 5-1 at Mong Kok Stadium on Monday evening, with the 6.30pm kick-off time allowing for comfortable playing conditions compared to afternoon matches
- Calderon, a former Athletic Bilbao defender, has been in charge at Kitchee for 15 months and believes the club can set an example in attracting fans through attractive football
- The Spanish coach specifically criticized poor pitch conditions and inconvenient match timings, noting these factors "affect the show" and deter spectators
- Kitchee's squad features notable internationals including former Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi and ex-Premier League player Victor Camarasa
- Former Manchester City and Spain forward David Silva, a 2010 World Cup winner, is reportedly set to join fellow Second Division side Supreme Sha Tin
Why It Matters
The gap between Hong Kong's football culture—where Calderon notes every child plays and pitches are always full—and empty stadiums represents a missed opportunity for the sport's development . If high-profile signings like David Silva can be combined with better infrastructure and scheduling, the league could finally break a decade-long trend of average attendances falling below 1,000 per match .
The gap between Hong Kong's football culture—where Calderon notes every child plays and pitches are always full—and empty stadiums represents a missed opportunity for the sport's development . If high-profile signings like David Silva can be combined with better infrastructure and scheduling, the league could finally break a decade-long trend of average attendances falling below 1,000 per match .