The Post has also been told that Tottenham Hotspur could be poised to play at Kai Tak in July. Separately, both Manchester United and Barcelona have been mentioned as possible illustrious visitors.
HKFA are lining up friendly fixtures for March and June, when Hong Kong have AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore and India, respectively, but Yeung said that neither opponents nor locations had been confirmed for the practice games.
It is possible, therefore, that India’s visit on June 10 could be the first time Hong Kong play an international game at Kai Tak, which is set to open in the first quarter of this year.
“We are coordinating with Kai Tak to try to put that home game there, to give fans a new experience,” Eric Fok Kai-shan, chairman of the HKFA, said. “It is not confirmed, but we are in the process of arranging it.”
Hong Kong have selected a predominantly under-23 squad for the two-legged clash with Guangdong. The side will be led by U23 boss Darren Arnott, too, but the Englishman will have support from senior team head coach Ashley Westwood, who Fok and Cheung said was now back in Hong Kong following time in Australia over the Christmas and New Year holiday.
“We need to develop coaches as well as players, and they need opportunities” Cheung said.
Both Guangdong-Hong Kong clashes will be screened live on television, while the move to stage the home match at the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium, instead of Mong Kok Stadium with its 6,000 capacity, was motivated by the desire for increased spectator numbers.
Tickets, which will cost HK$160 (US$21) and HK$40, will be sold on a buy-one-get-one-free basis.
“In Mong Kok, we might have 2,000 people [locked] outside,” said Cheung, who is targeting an attendance of at least 8,000. “We want to grow our fan culture.
“It was packed last year … if we have more fans, it will create a great atmosphere.”
Fok added: “This will give young players the chance to play on TV and at Hong Kong Stadium. One of our key strategies is to develop and support young players.
“They showed their quality at the Asian Games [in 2023, when Hong Kong U23s were semi-finalists] so we have to give them the stage.
“We have introduced the U22 league this season [for local Premier League clubs], which is a very important stepping stone. Now we want to build on it.”
The first leg, in Guangdong, will be played on January 15, with two of the Hong Kong squad for the tie set to appear fresh from mainland transfers. Jesse Yu Joy-yin, 23, has completed a switch from Eastern to Shijiazhuang Gongfu, while 18-year-old Ng Yu-hei is also poised to exit Eastern, for a move to Chongqing Tonglianglong.
“That shows Hong Kong is creating young players with value,” Fok said. “They will get better experience [on the mainland] and can come back and help the Hong Kong team get improved results. It is very encouraging, now we need more people behind us.”
https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3293758/top-european-football-clubs-poised-kai-tak-stadium-friendlies-summer-hong-kong-fa