Korean players have taken over Hong Kong professional soccer. There’s even a ‘Korean Derby’.
On April 1, defenders Ryu Ji-sung (Eastern SC) and Song Joo-ho (Sam Sui Po), both from independent club FC Avnil, had a Korean derby in the Hong Kong Premier League Hong Kong FA Cup final. Both players were on fire as Eastern SC defeated fellow Hong Kong Premier League side Sam Sui Po to lift the Hong Kong Football Association (FA) Cup.
In the final match at Mong Kok Stadium, Eastern SC and Samsui Po were deadlocked at 0-0 late in regulation time before the game was decided in extra time. Eastern SC’s Tarmilan Gozfaev opened the scoring in the ninth minute of the first overtime period, and the two teams battled back and forth to tie the score at 2-2 in the first half of the extra period. In the end, Eastern SC’s Noah Bapo scored the game-winning goal in the 10th minute of the second half of the extra period to win 3-2. 메이저 토토사이트 Ryu Ji-sung also came off the bench to help his team win the title.
In addition to the FA Cup, Liu Jisheng made 27 appearances in the Hong Kong League, Sapling Cup, and FA Cup this season, playing both center and flanker roles, and provided two assists as the team finished the season on a high note, defying expectations by finishing third in the league and winning the FA Cup. Liu Jisheng also finished his first season in Hong Kong’s top flight with a respectable performance, helping the team to a successful landing in the Hong Kong League.
A former FC KHT U18 player, Liu started his career overseas, playing in the European Professional League (MFK Zlate Moravce U19) instead of going to college. After half a year with the U19 team, he signed with the B team, and in 2021, he moved to Orense CF in the Spanish fourth division, where he helped the team win the league title. After returning to Korea due to the pandemic, Ryu joined independent club FC Avnil to look for opportunities abroad again, eventually moving to Hong Kong’s Hoi King SA in 2022 and then to Hong Kong’s first division Eastern SC in August 2023.
K-League veteran Song Joo-ho started and played full time at center back on the day. He is a defender who uses his 6-foot-2 frame to dominate possession and mark people one-on-one. After graduating from Korea University, Song joined the Ulsan Hyundai Mipo Chosun Dolphins, and has played for Ansan Greeners, Pocheon Citizens Football Club (military service), and Asan FC in Chungnam.
He then joined global independent club FC Avnil, where he maintained his practical sense through systematic training and practice matches with many K League teams before moving to Hong Kong Samsui Po in 2023. The Hong Kong Premier League, which concluded its season with the FA Cup, will kick off its 24/25 season in late August.