Hong Kong footballers aim for National Games joy against thriving China youngsters

Hong Kong’s under-16 footballers have fixed their sights on delivering a National Games boost to the city more than two months before the multi-sports spectacular officially gets under way.

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After completing their preparation games with a prestige fixture against Manchester United, the Hong Kong youngsters will travel to Meizhou on September 1, two days before the under-16 football competition begins in the Guangdong province.

City team defender John Wai Yi-yeung began his football education on the mainland, attending the Evergrande Football School from age seven, before moving to England’s Brooke House Football Academy, the alma mater of Hong Kong midfielder Tan Chun-lok, days after his 12th birthday.

“It will be a challenge but I’m confident we can handle it,” Wai said. “We’re excited to play and there’s not too much pressure. Hong Kong have never won a [football] medal, so it’s not that likely we will, but we’re really going to try.

“Our first objective is to get out of the group.”

Wai (back row, third from right) with the Hong Kong under-16s before their clash with Manchester United. Photo: HKFA

Drawn with Chongqing, Shaanxi and Zhejiang, Hong Kong can expect a trio of stern tests. The China under-16 team recently pulled in 17,000 fans to watch them beat Australia 5-2 in a four-team tournament, after they had overcome Saudi Arabia 2-1 and drawn 2-2 with Vietnam.

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