Hong Kong football bosses fighting for unloved trophy that could decide their futures
While speculation persists over the future of the unloved Sapling Cup, the rookie coaches of Lee Man and Southern meeting in Thursday’s final could have their long-term futures determined by it.
For either interim Southern boss Calvin Pui Ho-wang or Lee Man’s caretaker manager, Chu Siu-kei, victory at Mong Kok Stadium would deliver the first silverware of their coaching career.
“I never expected it, but when Ching-kwong left, I had no choice but to accept the challenge,” Pui said. “There was a transition while the players adapted to my coaching and playing styles, and reaching the final is a reward for their hard work, and their belief and trust in me.”
He said memories of Southern’s 2-0 final win over Lee Man in 2023 – for the club’s solitary major honour – would provide a psychological boost, especially for striker Stefan Pereira, 37, who scored both goals in that match.
“A lot of fans and other people talk about his age and I know he wants to prove in the final that he is still one of the best goalscorers in Hong Kong,” Pui said.
Pereira is fighting for a new contract, while Pui’s own position for next term is unclear. “I will be part of the club, but we’ve not yet discussed my role,” he said. “It depends on the next few weeks.”
Asked if the cup final would determine his future, the 40-year-old said: “I’m not thinking about it yet, I just want to fully focus on the final.”
Meanwhile, Chu, who stepped in for a second caretaker stint in March after the exit of Matt Holland, promised to field his strongest possible team despite Lee Man having a must-win league fixture at Football Club three days later.
“Who knows if we’ll win all our matches next month [to compete for the title], but if we win the final, we get a trophy,” he said. “Every year, we need to win something to show people we are a top team.”
With his team one point behind league leaders Tai Po, and favourites to beat Southern, Chu could be about to win as many trophies in 2½ months as Lee Man have claimed in the rest of their eight-year history.
Such an achievement would surely put the 45-year-old in the box seat for the permanent post.
“I took over at short notice, so there was no time to think too much,” he said.
“I want to win [the league and cup], then I will talk to [club president Norman Lee Man-yan]. I want to know what the boss, the coaches and the fans are thinking.”
Already showing a good line in mind games, Chu talked about Tai Po feeling “big pressure” in the title race, then pointed to the depth of Lee Man’s youth talent, ahead of a Sapling Cup final in which the teams must field three under-22s.
Pui, meanwhile, would not advocate an increase in underage players, because the tournament provides a balance between “being competitive and giving opportunities to young players”.
With the Jockey Club’s three-year Sapling Cup sponsorship expiring this season, however, it is possible the competition could be meshed with the under-22 league, which was introduced this season, or axed completely.
Whatever its future, Pui said winning it would “motivate our bosses to keep supporting us”. “They spent a lot, even after the pandemic,” he said. “I want to win this for them.”
https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3308529/hong-kong-football-bosses-fighting-unloved-trophy-could-decide-their-futures