News that Hong Kong stadium, in its current form, will wind down soon and have a reduced capacity in the near future has brought a mix of emotions from HK football fans.
Yes, it is is time for HK sports to catch up with the times and move to the modern upgrade of Kai Tak Sports Park though the current Hong Kong stadium is steeped in history, nostalgia and tradition.
The new Kai Tak sports park set to open upon completion with its state of the art facilities and 50,000-seat capacity with a retractable roof. Hong Kong fans will be hoping to create a whole new set of football fan experiences though it will be hard to match the treasure trove of memories that the current Hong Kong stadium has given to several generations of fans.
For better or worse, Hong Kong stadium has played a key part in Hong Kong’s football history.
When the current Hong Kong stadium first opened in 1994, the main debate was how the ‘sound’ from concerts would affect the residents in surrounding buildings and the idea was sounded out that gloves would be given to all attendees.
Luckily, common sense eventually prevailed and for a few decades, in the depths of So Kon Po, Hong Kong fans have been cheering, swearing, buying overpriced hotdogs and chanting wholeheartedly and the local game has only benefited.
Football fans are under no illusions that the local game is struggling yet most seem to adopt the phrase ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade out of them.’
HK football has trudged on through the decades, HK stadium has definitely provided a plethora of priceless moments to look back on.
Hong Kong stadium has seen magical continental nights, meaningful and meaningless friendlies, the HK league XI at their height, fights and brawls, Galácticos, near empty stadiums for league games and totally sold out games.
Thousands of matches have been played and endless drama has played out.
Memory Lane
Here, players and fans shared their favorite memories of Hong Kong stadium and the many matches played there.
When Kitchee Took On the Gunners – 2012
Photo: Zesh Rehman
Zesh Rehman was a mainstay of Hong Kong football for both Kitchee and Southern and cited Kitchee’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at a packed Hong Kong stadium in 2012 as a wonderful memory which he fondly looks back on.
“My favorite memory of playing at the HK Stadium was in 2012. The pre-season friendly against Arsenal in front of a packed crowd.
I was playing for Kitchee at the time with Chino, Dani, Nando and Jordi as well the best local players such as Ka Wai, Kwan Yee, Huang Yuang and Akay (Lee Man assistant coach). We drew 2-2 and played excellent football making it a very competitive and entertaining game.”
The Stadium Showcases History
Manuel Bleda, the prolific striker, who Hong Kong sports fans are all familiar with, loved the grandeur and sense of history that Hong Kong stadium could offer.
“Playing in the Hong Kong stadium was a big pleasure for me. I have a lot of good memories from playing there. In my third year at Eastern, Hong Kong stadium was our home stadium and it was amazing.
When you play in this stadium, you feel like you are playing in a big league in Europe. Hong Kong Stadium showcases the History of Hong Kong football.”
South China’s Magical AFC Cup 2009 Run
Fan Greg Suen recalls the incredible 2009 semi-final second leg between South China and Kuwait SC.
The stadium was rammed to capacity in a sea of South China red and despite the defeat, it still stands, to some, as the single greatest moment, in Hong Kong stadium history.
Everything in the stars aligned for a perfect ‘Continental Night’; except for the score.
“I think my favourite memory was in 2009 when South China made it to the semi-final of the AFC Cup 亞恊盃(the second tier Asian club tournament). The stadium was sold out and I ran from Causeway Bay and managed to get tickets just before selling out!”
JRP Borthwick also recalled South China’s incredible run in the AFC Cup 2009. As Hong Kong’s favourite club, each time SCAA progressed through the rounds, the momentum just built up and HK was swept in cup fever.
“Each South China game during the AFC Cup 2009 run had an incredible atmosphere and the quarter-final against Neftchi For’gona set the scene for the epic semi-final.
South China lost the first leg quarter-final 5-4 and won the second leg 1-0 at HK stadium. When SCAA scored to make it 1-0, the atmosphere was fantastic.
The semi-final was sold out! 40,000 inside the stadium and an electric sense of togetherness.”
Tobias Zuser also selected a continental night as one of his best moments at Hong Kong Stadium.
In 2017, Kitchee met Vietnam’s Hanoi FC in the Asian Champions league Preliminary Stage 2 with Kitchee emerging as 3-2 winners after a last gasp header by Lam Ka Wai in injury time of extra time.
“I am thinking of Kitchee vs Hanoi in the Asian Champions league 2017 qualifiers. Lam Ka Wai’s header in the 124th minute making it 3-2!
My friend next to me smashed his phone out of excitement and couldn’t care less!”
Fortress Hong Kong Stadium
For some fans, recent Hong Kong home games have been incredible experiences. A whole new generation of fans has emerged and their singing, chanting and energy has transformed Hong Kong stadium into a real fortress.
Recent examples include the home world cup qualifiers against Iran and Turkmenistan.
Fan Nick Ng said the last few Hong Kong home games have generated an incredible atmosphere.
“I personally remember the recent home game against Turkmenistan quite well. We were the better team for most of the game but had to fight hard to secure a 2:2 draw.
It was an expansive performance by the Hong Kong team that was rarely seen in Hong Kong stadium. The fans were electric that night!”
Taking on the Auld Enemy
Lee Bullen who played for Kui Tan, South China, Golden,Instant Dict and the HK league XI reflected his memories which still bring him delight when he recalls them.
Bullen played for the Hong Kong league XI at the height of the Lunar New Year Tournament when national teams came near full strength to take on the best in Hong Kong.
“In the Chinese New Year Tournament when we (HK league XI) played Sweden and Poland, I remember playing very well in these two games!”
Bullen played in the infamous Golden XI against England game and being Scottish, he of course, relished the chance to play against England.
Bullen nearly scored against England and the trajectory of his life would have been changed forever if he did manage to slot the ball past then England goalkeeper, David Seaman.
“Another memory is playing versus England. For a Scotsman, that was always my dream. I loved Jimmy’s Sports Bar at Hong Kong stadium as well.”
The East Asian Games Final 2009 + Meeting Messi + Many More
Atom Cheung, writer and a former radio presenter, had a whole host of memories to share due to his work as a radio sports journalist which granted Cheung quite a few opportunities to attend many high level games in So Kon Po.
“As for my favourite memories at Hong Kong Stadium, a few things pop up. Seeing fans sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ when Liverpool visited in 2017 ranks high on my list.
Speaking of English Premier League clubs and Hong Kong Stadium, I can’t help but recall that Barclays Asia Trophy tournament in 2013 when teams like Spurs and Manchester City were playing on mud.
That made headlines for all the wrong reasons, and I recall Jan Vertonghen, star defender on Spurs at the time, got injured from playing on such a poor pitch.”
Cheung had access to some big names and got to chat to Arsene Wenger, the legendary Arsenal manager in the tunnel at Hong Kong stadium.
“For me personally, it was in the tunnel at Hong Kong Stadium where I spoke with Arsene Wenger. It was 2012 and my first reporting assignment: covering Arsenal’s friendly against Kitchee.
As a fresh reporter who didn’t pay too much attention to the rules of engagement, I simply chased after Wenger when I saw him at the tunnel, and we spoke for a good three minutes or so, chatting about the game. He praised how well Kitchee played.
I remember being told by his assistant not to ask any questions about Robin van Persie (the Dutch forward was linked with a move to Mancheter United at the time). Speaking of Manchester United, David Moyes also spoke to Hong Kong media at the Stadium shortly after he got the manager’s job. That didn’t last too long.”
Cheung shared some other viewpoints about his Hong Kong stadium experiences.
“I don’t miss the Sevens. Don’t get me wrong. I love rugby. I just don’t miss the drunks and seeing all the staff having to clean up after all these privileged people who had access to tickets.
I also have to be honest and say that Hong Kong Stadium is really not the best place for watching Hong Kong’s national football team play.
Mong Kok is better for that. It’s more intimate but I do have several memories tied to the Hong Kong football team. One happened in 2019 during a World Cup qualifier against Iran. It was during the height of the 2019 protest. I remember fans holding hands and forming a long ‘human chain’ around the Stadium to show solidarity for the protest. I often wonder where they are now. The fans, I mean, how many of them are still living in Hong Kong.”
Homecoming
The East Asian Cup final between Hong Kong and Japan remains close to Cheung’s heart as it allowed him to reconnect to Hong Kong and find his roots.
“I must mention the men’s football final at the 2009 East Asian Games. I was there when Hong Kong beat Japan in a shootout. I recall Chan Siu-Ki scoring a header at the start of the second half. I recall seeing a pesky midfield talent named Au Yeung Yiu-chung and thinking what a bright future he would have (he ended up playing professionally in Portugal).
I recall seeing the confident display by goalkeeper Yapp Hung-Fai who went on to become Hong Kong’s regular first choice between the posts for over a decade.
This 2009 final was personally important to me because it happened just months after I moved back to Hong Kong from Canada.
I was born in Hong Kong in 1980 and was part of the immigration wave that brought me and my family to Canada in 1989. That East Asian games final was my first ‘re-connection’ to Hong Kong football.”
Different Experiences of Messi
Cheung also had a positive experience of Lionel Messi in 2014.
“I also met Lionel Messi at Hong Kong Stadium in 2014. He flashed me a smile as he ran out of the tunnel to take the pitch for practice. I still have a photo of it. AND, he actually played that friendly match!”
Sweat, Blood and Tears
Poon Man Tik was a mainstay of Hong Kong football in the 90s and 2000s as both a player and a coach and enjoyed football at all levels and was happy to look back on the moments that meant the most to him. Poon is now a youth football coach passing on his passion and knowledge to a new generation.
Poon stressed that Hong Kong stadium would not disappear completely and it would be converted to a smaller capacity of around 9000 to 10,000 for further use.
“As a player, I have spilled blood and tears at Hong Kong stadium. There have been some sad memories after losing there and there have been quite a few happy memories for both my clubs and the Hong Kong team. The best memory was scoring a golden goal in extra time in the 1999 FA Cup final.”
“As a player, I have spilled blood and tears at Hong Kong stadium”
Poon also had in-depth memories as a coach at the somewhat hallowed turf of Hong Kong stadium.
“As a coach, I have done some coaching with the Hong Kong team and there were some good memories and I had a lot of different memories at that time. When I was a coach, I remember all the times communicating with the players inside the changing rooms.
There was a game against Uzbekistan and the players played very well. Although we lost that game, the players played very well. After the game, the fans kept applauding us. They said we never gave up. This is a very touching moment for me as a coach.
As a fan and player, I often watched games at Hong Kong stadium to see how other teams and players fared. We were fortunate to see a lot of overseas teams come but I often went in the role as a player or manager to watch. I was fortunate to play Manchester United three times and Barcelona who had the likes of Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho.
That Golden Moment
Alen Bajkusa, the former Golden, Happy Valley and South China player who is now based in Malaysia, established himself as a firm fan favourite in the nineties with his devotion to the HK game and for always giving 100%.
Bajkusa famously featured in the infamous Golden XI friendly against England in 1996 where he had the chance to test his skills against some of the best in the world.
“One of my first memories is my Cup Final with South China a few months after my arrival to Hong Kong. I scored one goal in that game. The game against England as a guest player for Golden was an experience of a lifetime.
When I played for Happy Valley and I played for Mr. Lam’s team and I scored and we won on penalties to win the league. I enjoyed many games for South China and there were always large crowds.”
Hong Kong Stadium Has Always Been Married to Hong Kong Itself
Long-term resident and fan, J. Ho, shared his treasure trove of memories of Hong Kong stadium and many other HK fans may recall many of these games. Ho’s first memory is actually attending one of the opening concerts of the present Hong Kong Stadium.
“For me, memories of Hong Kong Stadium will always be married to the city of Hong Kong itself. My family and I had arrived only a few months previously, and the stadium was amongst many of our first experiences of the new city.
I recall the weekend of the grand re-opening in 1994 when, surprisingly, my Dad had bought tickets to one of the opening concerts. I remember that it was a Canto-pop concert, with Leon Lai getting drenched in an artificial rain shower whilst singing, and his fans joining in with delight.”
Ho was / is a football fanatic and said he watched his first live games at Hong Kong stadium.
“My first sports related outing to the stadium was also the first time I ever watched a football match in person. I grew up obsessing about football but my watching experience had been limited to ‘Match of the Day’ and ‘The Match’ on telly. I didn’t know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised.
The Carlsberg Cup Final provided plenty of entertainment. I saw Colombia beat a Hong Kong select XI, and a young Kovacevic scored the winning goal for a returning Yugoslavia team against South Korea.
One of the funnier, if not lowbrow, things I remember was the Cantonese swearing from local Hong Kong fans who were clearly distraught at seeing their HK team lose the ball so much.”
Ho was also in the crowd for the much maligned Golden XI versus England game.
“Of all the experiences at Hong Kong Stadium, the one of the most memorable was the pre-Euro 1996 friendly match with England, after that evening (dentist’s chair incidents).
I remember the drab weather – the rain and humidity made it uncomfortable. England put in a terrible performance and I got the sense that the crowd was bored.
They were more wowed by the huge television screen (it was considered big back then) and loudspeakers which boomed out some of the best football adverts at the time (Nike’s ‘Good vs Evil’ starring Cantona; Umberto’s ‘Live the Game’ starring Pele).
That experience was balanced nicely with watching Hong Kong win the East Asian Cup in 2009. The game was remembered for talk around star striker, Chan, who was still on a plane flying back from a trial with Spurs, when the final started.
It seemed Chan landed, arrived at the stadium, was substituted on, and promptly scored an equalizing goal. Only the city of Hong Kong with transport connections like that could make that possible. Hong Kong football had come a long way, and we stayed for the celebrations well after the game ended.
There was a lot of good football at the stadium, with teams all over the world coming to play in guest friendlies over the years (Sampdoria, Manchester United, Arsenal, São Paulo and AC Milan). However, I watched most of them on the telly.
I was an undemanding teenager at the time, and, looking back I wish I had seen more matches live.
After all, it was a beautiful stadium, tickets were affordable, it was family friendly, and it had some decent takeaway food. Luckily, many years later, when I started working, I was able to enjoy one of the corporate boxes with some good friends at low key matches.”
Dream Opportunities
When asked about her memories at the Hong Kong Stadium, Vien Tsang, programme host and sports project creator, reflected on her evolution from an enthusiastic fan to a sports industry insider and Floorball promoter.
“Years in the industry have granted me opportunities to work at events such as Hong Kong Sevens and numerous football events, capturing some iconic moments, meeting renowned athletes, supporting the home team and sharing the same passion with fans.”
As a sports enthusiast and football fan since she was a child, one of the fondest moments has to be back in 2003, when Tsang’s family took her to watch Liverpool play against the HK team.
“That generation of Liverpool squad was the time I was most into the team and those days following football as a very young fan were unique.
It was also an early taste for me to watch home players play. It was as well a very special memory for our family.”
Tsang also added that recounting the memory and reflecting on her current career are like an ‘echo chamber’ to each other as she is grateful for being able to fulfil all her sports and media aspirations as they are her passions.
A Treasure Trove of Memories
The stadium has hosted a plethora of matches and here are a few more highlights (Impossible to include everything below)
More highlights Through the Years
Dynasty Cup Match (Now EAFF)
Hong Kong Play Japan at Hong Kong Stadium – 1995
South Korea Play Japan at Hong Kong Stadium – 1995
World Cup Qualifiers
Hong Kong Versus Thailand – 1998 World Cup Asian Qualifiers
Meaningful Friendlies (If There Is Such a Thing)
South China Defeat Then World Club Champions Sao Paulo 4-2 in a friendly. South China are pretty much the best club team in the world if only for one day.
‘You Can’t Win Anything With Kids‘ Said the Great Alan Hansen.
The ‘Kids’ Came To Hong Kong long before the treble.
AC Milan Versus Instant Dict – 1996
Sing Tao Versus Sampdoria – 1995
The Late Sven Goran Eriksson lead a Sampdoria in their Pomp to Hong Kong and it has been Immortalized in Film
Hong Kong League XI
The Hong Kong League XI has lost it’s sense of grandeur over the years yet played in some incredible games at Hong Kong Stadium.
Continental Nights
South China take on Nagoya Grampus Eight at Hong Kong Stadium
Hong Kong Stadium. A field of dreams? Yes for the majority. Incredible matches and fan experiences which will forever linger and never fade away.
For a few generations, fans have made the slow trek to HK Stadium through the two roads which lead past the SCAA club house and down through So Kon Po field.
Regardless of age, a sense of eager excitement rises once the vast structure comes into view as who knows what drama and joy will play out.
Families, from one generation to another, have taken their children to HK stadium, who have subsequently taken their children to build cherished memories.
‘The scramble for autographs & photos near the tunnel entrance…’
‘The thousands of dreams that have been fulfilled and erased on the field…’
‘Emerging talent & fading stars…’
‘Some Fans passionately telling players, coaches, away fans and referees to Develop, Learn + Love More…..’
‘The overpriced food and drinks…’
Take Me Home Concrete Roads?
