Could this be the Turning Point for Women’s Football

The Hong Kong Women’s Senior team beat Singapore yesterday in an international friendly match at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. The 2-0 winning score line does not reflect the brilliance and dominance of the Hong Kong team. I am serious when I say that it was one of the best team performances I have seen in my time in Hong Kong. If it hadn’t been for the athleticism of their goal keeper, the woodwork and a dubious off-side decision the score would have been at least 5-0, and it would have been deserved.

From start to finish the Hong Kong team played with composure, skill and confidence. The passing was accurate, the movement off the ball excellent and the style of system of play consistent and effective. As well as the great teamwork, what impressed me most is the level of improvement in both individual skill and the physical fitness of the players. It is clear that there has been a lot of work done. I am so pleased that the passion and hard commitment has paid off. I told the coaches and players after the match that they should be proud of themselves. Hong Kong should be proud too.

There was a good crowd to witness the match which was fantastic and I could tell from the reaction that they were as impressed as I was. The support for women’s football in Hong Kong is getting stronger all the time.

The HKFA is committed to girls and women’s football and I personally think it is equally important to boys and men’s football. There is huge potential here and although we are starting from a low base, our Women’s Football Manager, Betty and Head Coach, Chi together with the other coaches and the players have done a brilliant job in developing both the grass roots and high performance football.

In the past girls and women’s football in Hong Kong has not really been taken seriously and they have often been given the worst pitches to train on at the worst times and in the worst places. In spite of that their commitment and drive has never wavered. Yesterday perhaps gave a glimpse into the future. Women’s football is often described as the fastest growing sport in the world. It is time Hong Kong capitalized on this demand and interest.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to women’s football development and thank you in particular to those involved yesterday. You gave me memories that will stay with me forever. It was an amazing performance.

Mark Sutcliffe CEO, March 2017    



_________________________________

女子足球的契機？

香港女子足球代表隊昨日於將軍澳運動場舉行之國際友誼賽中以2-0擊敗新加坡，事實上最終之比分不能完全反映球隊於整場賽事的出色表現及壓倒性優勢，她們的表現亦是我來香港之後看過的最好之一。倘若不是對方守門員的優異演出又或者龍門框的阻撓以及值得商榷的越位判決，或許最終比分差距會是5球或以上。

由鳴笛開賽一刻起直至完場為止，隊員在場上都展現出信心、技術及沉著，無論傳送、走位、戰術、團隊合作及默契等都充滿效率而且表現出色，而個人技術以及體能上的進步及提升更令我印象深刻。顯然地這是努力的成果，我亦為他們的熱誠及付出感到欣慰。賽後，我跟教練及一眾球員說道她們應為自己感到自豪，而香港人亦應為她們感到驕傲。

香港球迷對女足的支持度正日漸提升，昨天一同欣賞賽事及見證港隊勝利的過千名購票入場的現場觀眾，應該與我一樣對她們留下深刻印象。

除了男子足球外，香港足球總會一直致力發展本地女足，因為我們很清楚當中蘊藏著的巨大潛力。女子足球經理黃若玲 (Betty) 、女子代表隊主教練陳淑芝連同一眾教練及球員對於本地女子草根及高效足球的發展實在功不可沒。

女子足球於過去時常被忽略，不時獲分配最差的訓練時間、地區及場地，但她們對足球的堅持從未被動搖，昨天的賽事或許正是未來的契機。女子足球被譽為現今體壇發展最迅速的運動之一，香港亦是時候把握這個機遇了。

感謝所有為香港女子足球發展出一分力以及於昨天一同參與及見證賽事的每一位，我會永遠記得這場賽事以及一眾女將出色的表現。

香港足球總會行政總裁薛基輔

二○一七年三月