On August 21st Hong Kong head coach Kim Pan-gon announced the squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifier games against China (September 3rd, AWAY) and Qatar (September 8th, HOME). Out of 25 players, 23 will eventually be selected after next week’s training session.
Missing the previous games due to injuries, three players have good chances for a comeback: centre back and captain Chan Wai Ho, defensive midfielder Andy Naegelein and legendary striker Chan Siu Ki. Instead of former YFCMD midfielder Lee Ka Yiu, coach Kim nominated Pegasus youngster Tan Chun Lok.
The majority of the players are from the domestic Premier League, with 7 coming from Eastern, 6 from South China, 5 from Kitchee, 4 from Pegasus and 1 from Rangers. The only exceptions are Bai He, who plays for successful Chinese Super League side Shijiazhuang Yongchang, and Godfred Karikari, striker at China’s second tier club Beijing BG.
On August 28th, the team will leave for Mainland China, where it will first prepare a few days in Qingyuan (north of Guangzhou) and later on directly in Shenzhen for the big match day on September 3rd. On September 4th the players will return to Hong Kong in preparation for the important game against Qatar.
| Goalkeepers | YAPP Hung Fai (Eastern), WANG Zhenpeng (Kitchee), TSANG Man Fai (South China) |
| Defenders | BAISE, Festus, CHENG King Ho, KILAMA, Jean Jacques (Eastern), KWOK Kin Pong (Pegasus), LEE Chi Ho (Rangers), CHAN Wai Ho, CHEUNG Kin Fung, SEALY, Jonathan Jack (South China) |
| Midfielders | JU Yingzhi, NAEGELEIN, Andy Hannes Ling Fung, XU Deshuai (Eastern), HUANG Yang, LAM Ka Wai, LO Kwan Yee (Kitchee), TAN Chun Lok (Pegasus), BAI He (Shijiazhuang Ever Bright), LEUNG Chun Pong (South China) |
| Forwards | KARIKARI, Godfred (Beijing BG), ANNAN, Christian Kwesi (Kitchee), LO Kong Wai, MCKEE, Jaimes Anthony (Pegasus), CHAN Siu Ki (South China) |
