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Paul McNamara

Hong Kong new-boy Anthony Pinto is the latest local talent wrestling with a dilemma over whether to stick with professional football or go to university.
The 18-year-old scored two minutes after coming off the bench in the World Cup qualifier against Iran last week, but could exit the fray almost as swiftly as he entered it. Playing in Hong Kong is not a viable option, given the lack of financial security on offer to young players looking to make a living.
While Pinto’s former teachers in the UK may approve of keeping the academic door open, his swift impact in international football has parallels with that of a fellow former pupil.
Kobbie Mainoo, of Manchester United and England, was in the year above Pinto at Ashton on Mersey School, where United send academy prospects, with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford among earlier alumni.

Pinto, however, is now without a club after his recent release from English League One side Bolton Wanderers. It leaves him with the choice that faced two of the Hong Kong under-23 team who reached last year’s Asian Games semi-finals, Ellison Tsang Yi-hang and Kyle Lau Ka-kiu. Both have since prioritised studying.
Last year former Hong Kong head coach Jorn Andersen, whose selection of Pinto was one of his final acts in charge, bemoaned a “not good” situation where “the best young talents leave Hong Kong at 19 or 20 and stop playing football”.
Pinto’s case is slightly different in that he moved to England with his family in 2018. Two years later, he was spotted by Bolton while playing for grass-roots team Ashton on Mersey, then gained a professional contract aged 16. Pinto’s 2023-24 was hampered by injury and in February he was told he could leave.
“I have so many opportunities, and am excited about the future,” Pinto said after his return to Hong Kong. “I had two years of full-time football, and am thankful for what I learned from being around first-team players … I am not sure [what will happen next].
“I was in a tough spot a few months ago, I was injured and didn’t know if I was going to play football. Now I am playing for Hong Kong. It is crazy – you never know what football is going to give you.”
Pinto is waiting for approaches from other teams, and plans to attend exit trials, where scouts monitor players released from professional clubs. Equally, having obtained top marks from a two-year sports diploma while with Bolton, he is considering going to an English university “with a really good football programme”, or trying for a US university scholarship.
After the forward’s debut heroics, Wolfgang Luisser, the interim Hong Kong head coach, said he hoped “other clubs’ coaches saw”. “It is a challenge for him to find the right club, where coaches trust his qualities and he can show his potential,” Luisser said.
Pinto’s passion was born kicking a ball around Kowloon Tsai Park with his dad. He trained every week with Hong Kong age-group teams, and played for Happy Valley before leaving the city with his parents and younger brother.

“[Moving] meant we could study in a more relaxed atmosphere,” Pinto said. “There is also a better sports environment [in England].”
Pinto acquired his broad Manchester accent within months of living on the city’s outskirts. He speaks to his Portuguese father in English, to his mother in Cantonese, and used both to field media queries after his Hong Kong debut.
Whether he chooses a similar career path to Mainoo, Pogba, Lingard and Rashford remains to be determined.
“I will always plays football, and be available for Hong Kong,” Pinto said. “I want to be the best I can possibly be … I am deciding what is best to do next. I will trust my gut instinct, but football and studying are my main considerations.”


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The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong football star latest in city to face tough choice: play on or go to university?

Anthony Pinto (right) enjoyed an explosive introduction to international football. Photo: Edmond So

Pinto ‘will always be available’ to play in front of Hong Kong’s fanatical fans. Photo: Sam Tsang

Fans had an extra reason to thank Jorn Andersen after the former coach called up Anthony Pinto. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong interim football coach Wolfgang Luisser laments ‘not good’ match-fixing news, surprised Losada added to staff

Roberto Losada joined the Hong Kong representative team staff this week. Photo: Eastern FC

Eric Fok broke the news of Roberto Losada’s appointment at Saturday’s FA Cup final. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Hong Kong will play on home soil for the first time since a World Cup loss to Uzbekistan in March. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong match-fixing not widespread, insist football bosses, but player says it happens ‘a lot’

Several prominent members of Hong Kong football clubs have denied the game in the city has a corruption problem. Photo: Shutterstock

Jean-Jacques Kilama (left) is convinced match-fixing remains a problem in Hong Kong. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

The former HKFA CEO Mark Sutcliffe (right) believes match-fixing is ‘endemic’ in Hong Kong football. Photo: HKJC

Phillip Chan, named the best footballer in Hong Kong in 2023-24, wants betting on matches legalised. Photo: HKFA

Hong Kong talent hailed after coach’s positive job audition – but why was VAR not used?

Hong Kong’s Philip Chan Siu-kwan appeals to the referee on a night when officialdom did not favour the hosts. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong ran higher-ranked Iran close for a second time in six months. Photo: Sam Tsang

Taremi, who scored a hat-trick on Thursday, anticipated a bright future for Hong Kong. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong billed as ‘more creative’ after boss’ exit as Iran visit for Fifa World Cup qualifier

Hong Kong fans, pictured during January’s Asian Cup clash with Iran in Doha, have been told their side will aim to finish the World Cup qualifiers on a high. Photo: AFP

Wolfgang Luisser (left) plans to refine Hong Kong’s playing style in his matches in charge. Photo: Edmond So

Anthony Pinto (right) has impressed following his first Hong Kong call-up. Photo: Edmond So

Sport

Football

Anthony Pinto scored two minutes into his international career for Hong Kong, but the city’s club football cannot offer financial security


Anthony Pinto scored two minutes into his international career for Hong Kong, but the city’s club football cannot offer financial security.


English Premier League