EAFF campaign over, more transfers and other news- preseason so far

By Adam O'Domhnaill

The EAFF Championships have finished. Hong Kong end their campaign with zero points and one goal, against tough opponents. Opening up with a 6-1 defeat to Japan, they looked much more solid in 2-0 and 1-0 defeats to South Korea and China respectively. Tan Chun-lok and Juninho both started all three games, former striker Matt Orr scored our only goal of the tournament against Japan, while former defender Clement Benhaddouche made his debut against China. Hong Kong will next be in action in early September, playing in the Kings Cup in Thailand, alongside the hosts, Iraq and Fiji.

Transfers

Kitchee confirmed the arrivals of two players from the Spanish lower leagues last week, filling key holes at centre back and centre forward. That brings our total incomings so far to six. Speaking with manager Iñigo Calderón at Kitchee's media day he is happy with the squad as it stands, eager to see how the young players get on first. The lack of incomings means there probably is room for new players should they be required.

Adrian Revilla

The versatile striker joins us from Barakaldo CF in the Spanish third tier, where he had seven goal contributions in thirty two games. Predominantly a striker, he has featured across the front line, and will likely play through the middle, with a combination of Mingazow, Juninho, Kendy and Yumemi Kanda playing alongside or behind him.

Roger Riera

The Spanish centre back came through Barcelona's famous La Masia academy, captaining at multiple youth levels, including when they won the UEFA Youth League in 2014. He has over two hundred and fifty games at the professional level, featuring predominantly in the Spanish third and fourth tiers (for the 'B' sides of established Spanish clubs), and in the Dutch second tier for NAC Breda, while also having two years in Nottingham Forest's academy. He helped FC Andorra get promoted to the second tier in 2022. His attributes and experience mean we expect him to start almost every week alongside Dantas.

The club also confirmed that Cheung Yiu-hin, Yu Ching-wai, Li Siu-hin, Lam Pak-yin and Chan Shing-chun have been promoted to the first team squad for the season. Pong Cheuk-hei's recovery from his shoulder injury will see him out of action until October. Thanks to offside.hk for helping us to get access to Kitchee's media day, where we were able to chat with players and gauge the mood of the squad. The squad are excited for the upcoming campaign, and hope the high standards of Iñigo Calderón (or Calde) prove to be beneficial for Kitchee moving forward. After a few years of limited opportunities for young players, it was great to see so many being used in the first team training, and of the twenty eight members of the first team squad, half are twenty three or under.

In terms of outgoings, we have seen Fernando and Ngan Cheuk-pan join Tai Po, with Poon Pui-hin moving to Lee Man, who also signed former Kitchee players Ellison Tsang Yi-hang, Barak Braunshtain and Mikael. Helio will join newly promoted Eastern District in a player coach role.

Other news

Kitchee will travel to Thailand next week to play two friendly games, against T1 Chiangrai United and T2 Kasetsart, alongside a closed doors practice match. Poon Man-chun, Fernando Recio and Guo Jianquo retained their places in the backroom staff, with Kobe Kou joining as strength and conditioning coach, and club legend Dani Cancela taking on a remote role from Spain as a technical analyst. Defenders Jay Haddow and Callum Beattie are still waiting on their passports, and both have to have this resolved by the time the new season starts. News of a start date for the season and a home ground are yet to be confirmed, but we will update you when we know more. We are also awaiting news of the structure of the league and cup competitions

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Thanks to Sunny for photos. Find his work here 

Please also follow offside.hk who give a broader look into Hong Kong football. Thanks to working with them, we were able to get access to the media day and give a more in-depth look at how the club is getting on, watching training and speaking to players and staff.

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