Hong Kong boss Andersen backs city’s top sides joining Chinese Super League, says move will raise standards
- Norwegian thinks Kitchee, Eastern and Lee Man already have what it takes to compete against mainland counterparts
- National team coach calls on Hong Kong Premier League clubs to be more professional, says developing game will attract sponsors
Hong Kong boss Jorn Andersen said the city’s three top clubs should join the Chinese Super League, and were already capable of taking on mainland sides.
Andersen believes doing so would improve the standard of the city’s players and the national team, which under his guidance has qualified for this year’s Asia Cup for the first time since 1968.
In an interview with the Post, the Norwegian also called on the Hong Kong Premier League to become more professional and said doing so could help attract more corporate sponsorship to a competition viewed as being of a “low standard”.
But he acknowledged that becoming part of the Chinese domestic structure would not be easy for Hong Kong’s top sides, with the cost of travel a significant hurdle to overcome.
“I like it [the idea] because that will raise the standard of the Hong Kong national team and local players, and I am sure Kitchee, Eastern and Lee Man can compete in the mainland Chinese league now already,” he said.
“But the financial part will be very difficult. It is going to be very expensive for local clubs to travel in China because they have to fly to every away game, other than those playing in Shenzhen or Guangzhou.
“If those travelling issues can be fixed I think it will be good for Hong Kong football in the future.”
