Robert Odu scored again for Happy Valley but in the end it was not enough to overcome Rangers. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HAPPY VALLEY)

After a long wait, the highly anticipated 2020/21 Hong Kong Premier League finally kicked off last weekend, with all eight clubs competing in this year’s 21-match championship.

However, there is no doubt that after a pandemic-ridden year the local football landscape has also changed drastically. Several well-established players announced their retirement, and with the decrease in number of professional clubs, many other fringe talents have been squeezed out. But not all of them seem ready yet to hang up their boots entirely – and the big beneficiaries are the clubs in Hong Kong’s second tier, the First Division.

Largely regarded as a semi-professional league, where some players receive a small match appearance fee instead of a monthly salary, the First Division currently features 15 teams. Though only very few have the long-term ambition to seek promotion, given the financial burden that is associated with a full-fledged professionalization. This season a total of eight clubs are so-called district sides that will square off with Hong Kong’s grand dames such as South China, Hong Kong Football Club, or Citizen.

In recent weeks, two clubs in particular made headlines. Eastern District, for instance, will receive support from Chan Siu-ki, Chan Wai-ho, Peter Man Pei-tak, and Lee Ka-ho, three of which were former HKFA representative players. In addition, Sham Shui Po have taken up the services of players like Lo Kong-wai, Hui Ka-lok, and Mak Fu-shing, with the hope to boost the club profile. Meanwhile, former rebellious youth talent Chuck Yiu-kwok, who had a brief stint in Switzerland, is seeking a second chance at Wong Tai Sin, where he will team up with Lee Chi-ho. Chris Annan will feature for recently relegated Yuen Long, and former Pegasus and Rangers player Lai Lok-yin has signed with North District.

Despite the new influx of famous names in the First Division, it is still the professional Premier League that draws most attention. Ever since the HKFA was allowed to open the matches to the public, the attendance has reached pre-pandemic heights, with 1775 people watching last weekend’s clash between Kitchee and Lee Man. After the first round of the new season, Eastern are leading the pack, followed by Southern – the only two sides that have booked wins in their respective games. The coming weekend promises more action with the league taking momentum. As of now, matches are expected to remain open to public, though the HKFA may need to reassess the situation if local infection rates continue to rise.

Stefan Pereira scored a hat-trick in Southern's 4-0 win over Pegasus. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKFA)

SOUTHERN vs RANGERS, Premier League, Aberdeen Sports Ground, Nov 21, 3 pm

The second round of the Premier League kicks off with Southern and Rangers locking horns at Aberdeen Sports Ground. The latter have earned their first point of the season last weekend by holding Happy Valley to a 2-2 draw, coming back twice to avoid defeat. Valley’s 21-year-old Yuen Sai-kit opened the scoring, before Juninho equalized soon after. The second half saw Nigerian striker Robert Odu scoring his fourth goal for Happy Valley, but Rangers’ Yiu Ho-ming pulled one back to seal the tie. After their clear-cut 4-0 win over Pegasus, Southern District are the clear favourites for this match-up. The Aberdeeners also just signed Jordan Lam, who will carry again his beloved number 27.

RESOURCES CAPITAL vs PEGASUS, Premier League, Tsing Yi Sports Ground, Nov 21, 5:30 pm

Resources Capital have picked Tsing Yi Sports Ground as their home stadium this season and will be hosting their first match on Saturday evening. The club has been trying to manage expectations for this season, as they promise to give young players more opportunities regardless the outcome. This could mean that Resources Capital may head straight towards relegation, though it is doubtful that it would really be executed at the end of the season. While suffering a 5-0 thrashing in their first match against Eastern, their upcoming opponents Pegasus had a similarly tough start. The Flying Horsemen were unable to keep Southern at bay last weekend, when Stefan Pereira scored a hat-trick for the Aberdeeners for a 4-0 win.

Kitchee and Lee Man settled with a 2-2 draw. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKFA)

KITCHEE vs HAPPY VALLEY, Premier League, Mong Kok Stadium, Nov 22, 3 pm

On Sunday afternoon, Kitchee will face Happy Valley at Mong Kok Stadium. The reigning champions had a tough start into the season, as they shared points with Lee Man in a 2-2 draw. Kitchee took the lead in the 26th minute, when 23-year-old Matthew Orr scored his seventh goal of the season after pulling off two hat-tricks in the Sapling Cup. But Lee Man proved to be equal opponents. Serhii Shapoval equalized only five minutes later, before captain Li Ngai-hoi put Kitchee back on track in injury time of the first half. Lee Man found back into the game with a goal by Jonatan Acosta, but in the end both clubs settled with a deserved draw. Given the shaky performance in their opening match, Happy Valley’s defense need to brace themselves for Kitchee’s dangerous attacking line - while hoping that Robert “Jaguar” Odu can find some prey on the counterattack.

LEE MAN vs EASTERN, Premier League, Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, Nov 22, 5:30 pm

After a year in exile, Lee Man finally return to their spiritual home ground in Tseung Kwan O. Many have tipped the Bees to be among the top title contenders this season and their competitive performance against Kitchee underlined the expectations. With Eastern, Lee Man are going to face the next big test and if they are again holding up well, they may indeed be the team to watch out for. Meanwhile, last year’s runners-up Eastern have had an easy start, beating newcomers Resources Capital 5-0 with two goals each by Sandro and Lucas Silva. Brazilian teammate Everton Camargo made it five. This thrashing came despite Eastern playing mostly with ten men, after Chen Hao-wei was sent off for an unsportsmanlike foul for which he is expected to miss a few games.