Football bosses observing VAR officials? Tai Po coach calls for transparency
During a potentially season-wrecking recent run, Tai Po conceded penalties in four straight matches, as they lost two cup semi-finals and drew a pair of league fixtures to surrender top spot to Lee Man.
Lee claimed his players were 'scared to touch anyone in the box' during a restorative 3-2 victory at BC Rangers on Saturday.
'You can imagine the pressure on our players … it's a problem now – not a normal situation,' Lee said. 'I'm angry about it.'
Tai Po felt Noah Baffoe (right) fouled Gabriel Cividini (left) before scoring. Photo: Jonathan Wong
In addition to the penalty decisions, Tai Po felt wronged when a shove on defender Gabriel Cividini went unpunished in the lead-up to Eastern's first FA Cup semi-final goal. Lee also attributed his team's chronic injury situation to opponents being allowed to rough them up with impunity.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong prepares to celebrate 100 days to National Games with cycle ceremony
Hong Kong will mark 100 days until the start of the National Games with a countdown ceremony involving the city's leader on Saturday, in a coordinated celebration with co-hosts Macau and Guangdong. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will lead the event at the Velodrome alongside sports and tourism minister Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, and Yeung Tak-keung, the head of the National Games Coordination Office in Hong Kong. Law and Yeung are expected to be among those completing the last 100km of a million kilometre challenge that has seen ordinary Hongkongers, collectively bike, run and walk their way to 999,900km already this month. Lee will later head to Shenzhen to be part of an evening celebration, one of several taking place on the mainland this weekend. On Sunday, Law and Yeung will head to Go Park Sai Sha, which, as part of a fitness day in the city, is staging a carnival hosted by the Hong Kong Guangdong Youth Federation. The pair will be joined by athletes and other dignitaries for the event organisers said would serve 'as a bridge' within the Greater Bay Area and deepen 'the coordinated development of sports'.
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Kai Tak football fest a win for Hong Kong as host of elite sporting events
Hong Kong's football festival, featuring four top teams from England and Italy, thrilled fans, attracted visitors, boosted the economy and showcased the city's credentials as a host for elite sporting events. The two matches capped a successful first five months for the spectacular new Kai Tak Stadium, which welcomed its 1 millionth spectator at the clash between North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham. Advertisement The attendance for that match set a record for a football game in Hong Kong, as did the festival's other contest, between Liverpool and AC Milan . Both enjoyed crowds just short of the 50,000 capacity. Kai Tak Sports Park passed a major test, with fans dispersing smoothly after each game. The turnout for the open training sessions particularly impressed the visiting clubs: a total of almost 60,000. The two friendly matches were competitive as the teams, full of stars, prepared for the season ahead. The fans created a vibrant atmosphere. Hong Kong supporters are generally civilised and sporting. The festival was no exception. Many were experiencing a top-level football match for the first time. The efforts of all four teams were appreciated. The stadium was variously described by visiting players and managers as 'fantastic', 'incredible' and a 'game changer' . There was just a little criticism of the quality of the playing surface. That should receive attention. But the clubs also clearly enjoyed being in Hong Kong and welcomed the opportunity to connect with their passionate fans in the city, along with an estimated 40,000 who were visiting. The festival went beyond the two games, with events including meet-and-greets and engagement with famous former players. There were sales of club merchandise, and restaurants near the stadium reported a significant lift in takings, which is most welcome when the sector is struggling. Advertisement
South China Morning Post
13 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
World Aquatics Championships: Qin Haiyang bags 200m breaststroke gold in ‘Lane 8 miracle'
China's Qin Haiyang returned to winning ways on Friday night as he stormed home to victory in the 200m breaststroke from Lane 8 at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Advertisement Qin clocked a time of 2 minutes 7.41 seconds, some two seconds off the world record time he set in Fukuoka in 2023, but it was enough to win his second gold medal at the championships. 'Have you heard of the Lane 8 miracle? You saw it tonight,' said Qin of his victory. He was the only finalist to qualify with a time slower than 2:09.00. Qin made history in the 2023 edition of the championships by sweeping the men's 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke titles. And after a disappointing 2024 season and Olympic showing, there were signs early on in the week that Qin was on track to redemption, bagging the gold medal in the 100m breaststroke on Monday and the bronze in the 50m breaststroke on Wednesday. Ji Xinjie, Pan Zhanle, Wang Shun and Zhang Zhanshuo finished second in the 4x200m final. Photo: Reuters On Friday night, Qin was fifth after the first 50m but climbed the ranks to lead by the final lap as the cheers from the Chinese supporters grew deafening. Their ovation reached a crescendo as Qin touched the wall ahead of Japan's Ippei Watanabe (2:07.70) and Caspar Corbeau from the Netherlands (2:07.73).
