The Hong Kong Premier League clubs presented their new home kits for the start of the season. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKFA)

The 2019/20 season of the Hong Kong Premier League is set to start this weekend, with ten clubs ready to compete for glory in both the championship as well as three cup competitions. The recent summer break saw a lot of player movements within the league, but arguably the reigning champions were hit hardest by a serious drain of talent. Tai Po’s kingmaker coach Lee Chi-kin and the majority of their winning starting eleven left the Greens behind, and instead joined Eastern. The Blues had a disappointing last season, and bolstering the squad was a real necessity if they wanted to be once again a title contender. 

Meanwhile, 1st Division champions Happy Valley promoted to the Premier League, where they replaced relegated Hoi King. Founded in 1950, HVAA have been mainstays of local football, and their return to the top-flight marks an impressive comeback all the way from the bottom tier. With Rangers there is also another traditional team re-joining the HKPL, as they agreed to take over the spot from Dreams FC, who failed to meet the license requirements due to financial difficulties. 

As every year, also the home grounds of the teams have been shuffled around, aside from Kitchee, Tai Po, and Yuen Long, who all stay at their usual stadiums. After a year at Hong Kong Stadium, Eastern chose to return to Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. This also meant the eviction of Lee Man, who instead picked Sham Shui Po Sports Ground as their new home. Meanwhile, Pegasus decided to return to Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay. Given their limited budget, Rangers went with the unconventional option of Tuen Mun’s Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground, and newcomers Happy Valley will open shop at Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground in Wong Tai Sin. Although district teams are usually required to stay in their designated territory, Southern will use Mong Kok Stadium as their home stadium this season, as Aberdeen Sports Ground is undergoing extensive renovation. Finally, R&F have applied to keep Yanzigang Stadium in Guangzhou, however, with final approval from the HKFA still pending. Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground has been reserved as a potential replacement venue. 

Kitchee have signed new attacking players Manuel Bleda, Wellingsson de Souza, and Cleiton. (PHOTO COURTESY OF KITCHEE)

KITCHEE vs HAPPY VALLEY, Premier League, Mong Kok Stadium, Aug 30, 8:00 pm

The first match of the new season will see Kitchee locking horns with Happy Valley. The Bluewaves have made some crucial changes over the summer to bolster their title hopes, following a disappointing season which they only finished in fourth place. Alex Chu had to make room for new head coach Blaž Slišković. They also hired several attacking players from their rivals, including Southern’s Wellingsson de Souza, Eastern’s Manuel Bleda, and Yuen Long’s Cleiton. Meanwhile, midfielder Krisztian Vadocz announced his departure from the club. Certainly the underdogs in their first Premier League match, Happy Valley have not much to lose. The team will be captained by veteran Mahir Karic, and they will count on Chen Liming and Spanish striker Manuel Galivan for scoring opportunities.

TAI PO vs R&F, Premier League, Tai Po Sports Ground, Aug 31, 2:30 pm

Fans will see a very different Tai Po squad this Saturday, when the reigning champions take on R&F at home. Almost every key player of last season has left the New Territories club to join Eastern instead, however, Tai Po still managed to retain Sandro, Michel Lugo, and Dudu. So far there have hardly been any significant signings, except for 19-year-old talent Sun Ming-him and Korean forward Kim Min-ki. R&F on the other hand have put together an impressive squad, which should give them some of the best odds in this year’s title race. Especially painful to the hosts, R&F even acquired Tai Po’s Player of the Year Igor Sartori. Other significant signings include Matt Lam from Kitchee, as well as Fong Pak-lun, Lam Hin-ting, and Adam Guira. With such a roster at his disposal, the pressure on Yeung Ching-kwong to win the club’s first silverware is definitely mounting. 

YUEN LONG vs EASTERN, Premier League, Yuen Long Stadium, Aug 31, 5:30 pm

Later on Saturday, Yuen Long will encounter Eastern. The Blues will hope to start into the new season with a win, as expectations are high after taking over most of Tai Po’s champion squad, including coach Lee Chi-kin. The new team sheet will feature the likes of Eduardo Praes, Leung Kwun-chung, Fung Hing-wa, Lee Ka-yiu, Chak Ting-fung, and Joao Emir. They also signed Jean Moser, Chen Hao-wei, Southern’s Lau Hok-ming, as well as Pegasus’ Wu Chun-ming. Meanwhile, Yuen Long have seen once again a lot of departures and are a very different team compared to last season. However, fans can still count on long-term veteran Fabio Lopes, who will captain the club for another year despite the proud age of 42.  

Happy Valley return to the top flight after six years. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HAPPY VALLEY AA)

SOUTHERN vs RANGERS, Premier League, Mong Kok Stadium, Aug 31, 8:00 pm

Southern finished third last season and are eager to play once again a role in the title race, as coach Ricky Cheng continues with his successful strategy of maintaining a stable team. The Aberdeeners, who move to Mong Kok Stadium for the time being, also brought in Australian striker Travis Major, Tai Po midfielder Philip Chan Siu-kwan, and Japanese defender Kawase Kota, and they will clearly be the favourites against Rangers, who are reportedly on a budget of just HK$ 4 million. Although most of Rangers’ team consists of young players, director Philip Lee managed to secure some veterans as well, including Au Yeung Yiu-chung, Chris Annan, Aender Naves, and Tomas Maronesi. 

LEE MAN vs PEGASUS, Premier League, Sham Shui Po Sports Ground, Sep 1, 2:30 pm

In the last match of the first round, Lee Man will host Pegasus at their new home ground in Sham Shui Po. Both teams definitely would like to do better than last year, when they finished ninth and sixth respectively. The Bees have taken over Jordi Tarres and Nando Recio from Kitchee, who both count as local players, and Leong Ka-hang is also expected to return from injury. Meanwhile, Pegasus have cut loose a lot of their key players, including Mahama Awal, Eugene Mbome, Wu Chun-ming, Walter Junior, and Travis Major. Their goal to finish fourth this season will partly rest on the signing of two young Australians, centre-back Michael Glassock and forward Charles Lokolingoy.