Premier League title sealed but top scorer Henri Anier battles loneliness in Hong Kong and has no new contract yet
- Anier is league’s top goal scorer heading into the season’s final day, after netting 15 times in first season with champions Lee Man
- Estonian striker wants international friendly against Hong Kong, hails game in Liechtenstein for Jorn Andersen’s team
Henri Anier has been fighting loneliness and battling to remain mentally stable while firing Lee Man to the club’s first Hong Kong Premier League title.
The Estonian striker, who joined Lee Man last summer from Muangthong United in Thailand, is top of the league scoring charts with 15 goals, but is still waiting to hear about a contract for next season.
And at 33 years old, Anier said it had been the incessant pressure to deliver goals that contributed to an itinerant career, which had taken in 17 clubs in 11 countries.
“It’s been very tough mentally, we had a break from December to February, but I couldn’t go home, and that was not easy,” said Anier, whose family have remained in Estonia.
“Sometimes, there is not enough recognition from the locals for what the foreigners go through. I came here to perform on the field, but need to deal with what’s outside the field, being all alone, by myself in my head. The locals can go to their families, but I came here not knowing anybody.
“Mentally, you need to stay stable. I am very close with my mum, dad, and brother, and I stay in contact with them as much as possible. I do yoga, and meditate after training, to try to keep my mind calm.
