Latest news with #ChuSiuKei
South China Morning Post
01-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong fallen giants Lee Man and Kitchee swing axe to release 25 players
Deposed Hong Kong champions Lee Man have announced a 12-player clear-out following the club's barren 2024-25 campaign. Advertisement Henri Anier, the local league's joint-top scorer during Lee Man's invincible 2023-24 season, is among the headline departures. Defender Ryan Tafazolli has left following the expiry of his loan from Wycombe Wanderers, while Brazilian forwards Paulinho Simionato and Samuel Rosa have not had their contracts renewed. Timothy Chow, the 19-year-old Hong Kong defender, is moving to university in America. Szeto Man-chun, the assistant coach, has also left Lee Man. The club appointed Chu Siu-kei as permanent boss following the end of the season, after the 45-year-old stepped in as interim following Matt Holland's axing in March. With Ryoya Tachibana the only foreigner still on Lee Man's books, and a number of the remaining key players the wrong side of 30, Chu has a huge rebuilding job on his hands. Advertisement However, Lee Man are expected to sign prolific striker Noah Baffoe, who left Eastern this summer after scoring 65 goals in two seasons with the club. Midfielder Barak Braunshtain, who is in the process of applying for a Hong Kong passport, is set to arrive from BC Rangers.
South China Morning Post
11-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Premier League drama as Lee Man cling to summit in crazy climax
Chu Siu-kei said his Lee Man team 'used all our luck' following a chaotic end to their 2-1 victory over Kowloon City in the Hong Kong Premier League on Sunday. Advertisement The drama began when Ryan Tafazolli, the Lee Man defender, was sent off following a second bookable offence in the 89th minute. From coasting at 1-0 up thanks to Henri Anier's first-half strike at Sham Shui Po Sports Ground, the league leaders suddenly looked vulnerable to a barrage of Kowloon attacks. But the equaliser arrived in semi-farcical fashion after nine minutes of stoppage time when goalkeeper Chan Ka-ho failed to spot the lurking Kayron Ramos as he rolled the ball in front of him. A gleeful Ramos pinched possession to score and spark wild celebrations. Goalscorer Henri Anier's Lee Man future will be decided at the end of the season. Photo: Elson Li Interim head coach Chu later said he had 'given up', and was 'just thinking about how to talk to Ka-ho'. His despair lasted a mere two minutes. Lee Man poured forward and, with the last play of the match, Kim Min-kyu's right-wing cross invited Samuel Rosa to crash home a header, prompting more jubilant scenes. Advertisement The Brazilian's goal sent Lee Man back above Tai Po at the top of the table with two games remaining.
