The Premier League teams have resumed training in early February. (PHOTO COURTESY OF KITCHEE)

When the new Hong Kong Premier League season started at the end of October 2020, hopes were high that the championship could be played out smoothly. Eventually, it only took a few weeks before the fourth wave of COVID-19 cases forced another shutdown of all sports venues in the city. Ever since, local football has been put on hold – but with recent relaxations of social distancing measures, it appears that the season may get another chance.

The eight Premier League clubs were allowed to resume training in early February, and the Hong Kong Football Association successfully arranged a new fixtures schedule, which is set to kick off on Saturday, Feb 20, with the last round of the Sapling Cup group stage.

With nearly three months lost already, the HKFA also had to make major sacrifices: FA Cup, Senior Shield, and Reserve Division have been entirely axed for this season. Meanwhile, the Premier League will most likely abandon its plan for a third play-off round and stick to the usual double round-robin system. The Sapling Cup has probably the best odds to produce an actual trophy winner this season, as the semi-finals between the group winners and runners-up are scheduled as early as coming Wednesday, Feb 24. For now, it is not entirely clear if and when the lower amateur divisions would resume as well.

Previously, it was expected that all top-tier games will be played behind closed doors, but with sports and entertainment venues being allowed to open across the city, the HKFA announced on Thursday that also football matches will be open to the public. The four designated sports grounds – Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong Stadium, Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground and Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground – are allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity, which should not create any issues given average fan attendances of roughly 1000 people per game. 

Some of the title contenders also used the recent break to bolster their squads: Reigning champions Kitchee signed former FC Seoul and Beijing Guoan striker Dejan Damjanović. Given his experience in Asian top flights, the 39-year-old Montenegrin is expected to be Kitchee’s danger man for the upcoming AFC Champions League group stage, which is set to start in late April. Among the opponents are Thai club Port FC and CSL giant Guangzhou FC. The latter replaced Shandong Taishan, who were disqualified due to salary arrears.

Following the departure of Kitchee center-back Li Ngai-hoi, who joined Nantong in China League One, the club also added former R&F players and HKSAR passport holders Robert Affonso Junior and Sean Tse.

The coming weekend will see all eight Hong Kong Premier League clubs in action – for the first time since Nov 29, 2020 – in what will be the last round of the Sapling Cup group stage. Given the previous results, the tables are overall decided, with Kitchee, Lee Man, Eastern, and Happy Valley all on track for the semi-finals. Only Pegasus have a slight chance left, as long as they can cause an upset against Kitchee. All games are open to public and priced at HK$80 for adults and HK$30 for seniors and students. They will also be broadcast via an online live stream.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT vs HAPPY VALLEY, Sapling Cup Group B, Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground, Sat Feb 20, 3 pm

With both Eastern and Happy Valley unreachable at the top of Group B, there may be not much to play for at this game. But for both teams this will be an important test match before the actual Premier League competition resumes next weekend. Southern District just brought in 20-year-old centre-forward Matthew Cahill from Australia on loan, while Happy Valley have added goalkeeper talent Tse Ka-wing to their line-up. No matter the result, the Greens will definitely advance to the semi-finals, but a win over Southern could also be a great boost in morale.

Former FC Seoul and Beijing Guoan striker Dejan Damjanovic has joined Kitchee ahead of the 2021 AFC Champions League. (PHOTO COURTESY OF AFC)

KITCHEE vs PEGASUS, Sapling Cup Group A, Mong Kok Sports Ground, Sat Feb 20, 7 pm

There is indeed something at stake here, when Kitchee and Pegasus lock horns in Mong Kok on Saturday evening. But the Flying Horsemen would need a win to leapfrog their opponents in the table and qualify for the Sapling Cup semi-finals. For Kitchee, on the other hand, a draw is already enough to defend their position. However, due to quarantine restrictions, fans will not yet see any of Kitchee’s new signings. Damjanović still has to stay for another week in the hotel before he can resume training with the club. Pegasus will also be without attacking midfielder Bernardo, who left the team early due to personal matters, as his family was unable to join him in Hong Kong amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESOURCES CAPITAL vs EASTERN, Sapling Cup Group B, Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground, Sun Feb 21, 3 pm

On Sunday, newcomers Resources Capital will take on Eastern, with the latter having nothing to fear given their comfortable position on top of Group B. The Blues also just added former Tai Po defender Dudu to the squad, getting coach Lee Chi-kin another step closer to re-assemble his 2019 championship side. Nonetheless, maybe given the low stakes in the game, this could be a good opportunity for Resources Capital to cause a usually unlikely upset. 

Lee Man and Eastern may see each other soon in the Sapling Cup finals. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKFA)

LEE MAN vs RANGERS, Sapling Cup Group A, Mong Kok Sports Ground, Sun Feb 21, 7 pm

In the evening, Lee Man and Rangers complete the Sapling Cup group stage. The Bees are on top of Group A and they have it in their own hands if they finish as group winners, as long as they win their game that day. Lee Man have recently signed former Incheon United player Kim Seong-yong, who also had a short stint with Tai Po before.

The Sapling Cup semi-finals are scheduled for Feb 24 at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground and Mong Kok Stadium respectively, while the Hong Kong Premier League will restart on Feb 27 and 28.