Oh, What a Night! 這一夜．永難忘！

Oh, What a Night!

I am delighted to be able to write a blog that celebrates the recent success of our senior men’s team. The away draw in Uzbekistan was a great result in itself, but I think, beating Vietnam at home is even more impressive. I know Uzbekistan is ranked considerably higher than Vietnam but there is always added pressure associated with playing at home (especially in front of a capacity crowd). The success in Uzbekistan only increased the expectation. The players reacted amazingly well, particularly in the second half. They were composed and disciplined throughout and it was, without doubt, the best I have seen them perform. No-one can begrudge them their extra bonus!

I must also pay tribute to the capacity crowd who undoubtedly helped to motivate the players with their incessant and passionate chanting. It was a cauldron of noise and I am sure the Vietnam team was intimidated. When the goal went in, the roar was probably heard in Hanoi! I must have broken the over 50’s high jump record myself!

There is a lot said and written about the ‘M’ word, (momentum) in sport. It is certainly true that good results create confidence and this in turn helps with performance. It is a virtuous circle. The converse is also true, if results are poor, confidence dips and the performance on the pitch suffers. We are on a positive trajectory at the moment and it is something we must build on. In many ways it is a shame that we have to wait until October for our next competitive match. However we will be supporting the team as much as possible and equipping them with the expertise and resources they need to continue their good run. This includes arranging some friendly matches on the FIFA International match days hopefully in June, August, September and October.

A lot of people helped to make last Friday night so memorable, the players, coaches, sponsors, fans, media, our own Competitions and Marketing Departments, Nike etc. Thank you to all of you. It reinforced my belief that football in Hong Kong has real potential. Together, we can make it happen.  

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這一夜．永難忘！

我在此衷心祝賀香港代表隊最近的出色表現，繼上月作客烏茲別客，在十人應戰的不利情況下迫和對手，上周五又在主場以一球擊退比自己排名高三十位的越南，令整個旺角大球場熱血沸騰，紅海飄揚！雖然烏茲別客的世界排名比越南高出甚多，但我認為港隊在主埸所承受的壓力(尤其是在座無虛席的觀眾面前)會高於上仗的作客比賽，因此今仗顯得更難應付。烏茲別客所獲取的寶貴一分，固然難能可貴，但今次港隊在主場球迷的吶喊聲中表現出色，尤其各球員在下半場更嚴格執行教練的戰術部署，最終在主場擊敗對手，實在值得贏取全場掌聲，亦是我首次遇見一支發揮得如此淋漓盡致的香港代表隊，對於他們贏得的額外獎金，絕對是實至名歸。

我亦對於當晚前來捧場的的現場球迷深存感激，沒有你們的搖旗吶喊，全場無間斷鼓動港隊士氣，相信我們會勝之不易，我亦深信憑著現場觀眾震耳欲聾的打氣聲，對客隊越南產生一定的震攝力，尤其港隊在完場前的絕殺入球，現場頓即響起一股響徹雲霄的歡呼聲，這股匯聚香港精神的喜悅之聲，或已傳達至遠在彼方的首都河內。而我本人的興奮一躍，或已打破了自己長久以來所保持的五十歲組別跳高紀錄！

坊間不時提及有關在運動上的「動力」，事實上優異成績能夠建立自信，並將之轉化為提升表現的動力，這是一個因果循環；反之，球隊成績每況愈下，自信心面臨崩潰，球場上的表現自然強差人意，現在，我們正處於正面的環境，更要把握機會建立源源不絕的動力。雖然港隊距離下仗比賽還有六個月的時間，但我們必須繼續支持他們，無論在知識層面以至資源分配方面都必須準備就緒，例如在六月、八月、九月及十月的國際比賽日期間安排一系列的友賽，以助他們時刻投入作戰狀態。

上周五蒞臨現場的觀眾為我們留下一個難忘的晚上，我在此感謝球員、教練、贊助商、球迷、傳媒、Nike，以及足總旗下的競賽部、市場推廣及傳訊部同事的參與和支持，我深信香港足球事業仍有一定的發展潛力，同時亦可於共同努力下成功實踐！