Hong Kong Premier League ‘technically better’ than English Football League – Lee Man ace
Ryan Tafazolli said Hong Kong’s Premier League was “technically better” than the English Football League, where he spent his entire professional career before completing a shock loan switch to Lee Man.
Defender Tafazolli made his debut in the reigning champions’ scruffy 3-2 victory over Kowloon City on Saturday, a fortnight after joining from Wycombe Wanderers to “prove myself and get to the level where I’ve previously been”.
The 33-year-old endured a “nightmare start”, when his handball gifted Kowloon a penalty, and thanked his forwards for “bailing me out”, after three goals in six second-half minutes overturned a 2-0 deficit.
“The football is much more intense in the UK, but elements here are technically better and I have to quickly adapt,” said Tafazolli, who made five appearances for League One Wycombe this season. “There are more consecutive passes in build-ups, while in England it can be more direct. I’ll probably have more time on the ball – we’re a good team and we’ll have long spells of possession.”
Tafazolli, who previously played for Mansfield Town, Peterborough United and Hull City, said a recent change of manager at his promotion-chasing parent club, where Mike Dodds was installed following Matt Bloomfield’s exit for Luton Town, had not given him second thoughts about seeking action elsewhere.
“I was injured, then the team were flying, so I fell down the pecking order,” Tafazolli added. “There wasn’t going to be a chance for me to get up to speed. I wanted to get my fitness back … so I thought I could go abroad, test myself and try to do well for Lee Man, then reassess in the summer.”
Tafazolli, who is “already settled” in Hong Kong, was also glowing about Lee Man head coach, Matt Holland.
“He’s been outstanding and his sessions are more intense than we have in England, where there are more games, so training is about keeping players fresh,” Tafazolli said.
“It’s taken me a couple of weeks to get going, if I have got going. [Holland] is trying to get across top-level information; we have to take it on board and implement it.”
Tafazolli said his Lee Man move had not been a complete step into the unknown, because of a Wycombe intern, from Hong Kong, who “gave me great insight [into the club] and really sold Hong Kong to me”. “It’s lived up to what he said and I’m delighted to be here,” Tafazolli added.
“Our aim is to win every game: to win the league and … the FA Cup.”
Holland, meanwhile, was “lost for words” after his team had to recover from two goals down for a second straight league game, following their 4-3 victory over North District two weeks ago.
“If you look at the positives, you see our fighting spirit … I was bitterly disappointed to be 2-0 down, and there are things I can reflect on, but I am elated to win,” Holland said.
The Welshman acknowledged labouring midfielder Mitchel Paulissen was disappointed to be replaced at 2-0. “We needed to get energy, aggression and speed into the game … at the end he was laughing and said ‘great substitution’,” Holland added.
Lee Man’s comeback was predictably inspired by Everton Camargo, who supplied two goals for Henri Anier, either side of scoring from the spot. Holland said the Hong Kong international was “right up there” with Diogo Luis Santo and Jaja Coelho, the “top Brazilian players” – who both played in leading European leagues – he worked with at Thai club Buriram United.
“[Camargo] can play at a higher level, but he will have to decide with his family [if he wants to play abroad],” Holland added.
https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3297949/hong-kong-premier-league-technically-better-english-football-league-lee-man-ace