Advertisement
Hong Kong’s Yu Joy Yin Jessie (centre) battles for the ball with Uzbekistan’s Abdukodir Khusanov during an Asian qualifier match for the 2026 Fifa World Cup in March. Photo: AP Photo

Hong Kong’s success in the Olympics has sparked much debate about further developing elite sport in the city. One sport in need of a boost is football.

Advertisement

The local premier league season kicked off last weekend, amid growing concerns about the future of the game in the city. A new head coach for the Hong Kong men’s team has followed the disappointing departure of fan favourite Jorn Andersen, who exceeded expectations with an exciting brand of football.

His successor, Ashley Westwood, a former Manchester United youth player who previously managed Afghanistan, has promised to improve the football, culture, attitude and environment for the team. This will be challenging.

His pledge to play entertaining and winning football is welcome. Westwood must reverse a depressing slide in the team’s rankings, from 90 in 1996 to today’s 159 out of 210.

Fans display a banner thanking Jorn Andersen, the former Hong Kong head coach, during the Fifa World Cup qualifier which pitted Hong Kong against Iran at Hong Kong Stadium in June. Photo: Sam Tsang
Fans display a banner thanking Jorn Andersen, the former Hong Kong head coach, during the Fifa World Cup qualifier which pitted Hong Kong against Iran at Hong Kong Stadium in June. Photo: Sam Tsang

There is much work to be done.

Advertisement

Hong Kong has seen a worrying decline in the domestic game, which is woefully short of fans, sponsorship, broadcasting revenue, good facilities and exciting players. Match-fixing scandals have further damaged its reputation.

Advertisement