Ten years have now passed since Hong Kong’s famous nil-all draw with China at Mong Kok Stadium. In the cool autumn air on 17 Nov 2015, the stakes were high after the two sides had also drawn in their previous match-up in Shenzhen back in September. On the eve of Hong Kong’s all important clash against Singapore, offside.hk takes a stroll down memory lane.
In the race for the World Cup 2018 finals, Hong Kong and China played out a match for the ages and the repercussions are still felt today, especially in terms of fan culture. The qualifying games (2nd Round – Group C) against China, Qatar, Maldives and Bhutan – all at the modestly sized Mong Kok Stadium – saw the first real glimpses of a new wave of fan culture that Hong Kong football is now riding on.
Back in 2015, this Hong Kong home match was one of the rare occasions when domestic football dominated the news, media and everyday conversations.
A ticket for the match at Mong Kok was a must have item and seemingly everyone was swept up by football fever if only for a few days. Similar to the recent games at Kai Tak Stadium, game tickets were like gold dust, and fans lamented the lack of better venues in the city. Several public viewing events, both official and unofficial, were set up across the city, while many bars, restaurants and pubs were packed for what was pretty much one of the greatest ‘derby’ games’ in history.
The China team of 2015 had big names in their squad, such as goalkeeper Wang Dalei, Zhang Linpeng, Zheng Zhi and Wu Lei, so for Hong Kong to force two nil-nil draws within a few months was remarkable.
Memories from Yapp Hung Fai
Yapp Hung Fai, long-serving goalkeeper, was a key reason the home team held the score to nil all both at Mong Kok Stadium on 17 Nov 2015 and away in Shenzhen on 3 Sep 2015.
Yapp cited that despite only around 6,000 fans being inside, the sights and sounds were incredible before, during and after the match.
“My favourite memory of the game was the support from the fans and the great atmosphere that they gave us. It meant a lot to all of the HK Team members.”
Yapp, who has played over 100 times for Hong Kong, has been one of the few present day team players who has watched the evolution of fan culture over the past nearly two decades. Yapp says that the full-houses at Kai Tak Sports park are truly motivating and that the home fans are the 12th player.
“Football without fans is nothing, the support from the fans motivates us to give more in the game. Especially the full house of Kai Tak Stadium, it was one of the milestones of Hong Kong football. All of us are looking forward to having such wonderful support in the future.”
Memories from Sandro
Alessandro Ferreira Leonardo also known as Sandro, who played a pivotal role in both matches against China, also shared his memory from the night:
“My special memory of that game is when I headed the ball across to the goalie in the first half of the game and also the atmosphere of the game was amazing with the support from the fans. It was a great game.”
Memories from Ethan Feng
Ethan (Yuchen) Feng, founder of Football Cafe Media and host of Football Café Podcast kindly shared his memories of that pivotal match between Hong Kong and China.
Feng shared his expectations for both China’s fans and media after Hong Kong held China to a 0-0 draw in their first World Cup qualifier meeting in Shenzhen.
“The expectation was not only securing 3 points in Hong Kong, but also scoring as many goals as possible, because the goal difference really mattered to China at this point. After the draw in Shenzhen and the loss in Doha in previous games, being one of the best four runners-up is the most realistic goal for China.
Fans and media from the mainland were a bit nervous for the game in Hong Kong, but were also relatively confident, because this was the team who had won all three group games in the Asian Cup in early 2005.”
Feng remembers his thoughts and feelings as the match progressed. China had the majority of chances and possession, though Hong Kong held firm.
“With China struggling to score and the very motivated Hong Kong team also asking questions to China’s defense, many people like me couldn’t help asking themselves if the “5-19” would happen again. I didn’t experience “5-19” because I was born after that, but I listened to my dad talking about the game that was played in 1985 many times.
Since the World Cup debut in 2002, China had failed to progress to the latest round of AFC qualifiers for three consecutive World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014). With the 0-0 game coming to an end, we knew that it might be the same old story.”
Respect is hard earned and in 2015, the Chinese Super League was in his heyday and in a far superior financial state than the Hong Kong Premier League. The 0-0 was met with celebrations in Hong Kong and muted disappointment in China.
“Yes, more respect for the Hong Kong team and more disappointment in the China national team. Over the decades, Chinese supporters had already learned not to take anything, any win against any opponent for granted. I have to say that it’s weird to see China play Hong Kong since Hong Kong’s return to China in 1997, but it’s a very historic football rivalry and I hope its new chapters can boost the growth of both teams.”
Memories from JRP Borthwick
JRP Borthwick watched all the 2018 World Cup qualifying home games at Mong Kok stadium and recalled the epic China clash.
“I remember the game and the day very clearly. I was fortunate to be on the field that day as a photographer.
It was amazing to look up at the stands and witness a sold out Mong Kok Stadium, jam packed with the red shirts of the Hong Kong team. You don’t often get such passionate sold out games like this in HK, but when you do they don’t disappoint!”
The 2018 World Cup qualifying was also a period of time that fan culture in Hong Kong came of age and ten years on, Hong Kong games at Kai Tak Stadium are must have tickets.
When the dust settled, Qatar won Group C with China in second, while Hong Kong finished a respectable 3rd. Back then, who would have believed that Hong Kong would eventually qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup and that there would be a new stadium whereby nearly 50,000 fans would now pack in for a Hong Kong home game.
Ten years on and the repercussions and memories of the game still linger.
More Photos from the Qualifiers
Photos by:
Ryan Kam, JRP Borthwick, Chris KL Lau, Dennis Lo, William Wong
