Latest news with #MichaelUdebuluzor
South China Morning Post
19-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong striker Michael Udebuluzor sacked by China club 24 hours after signing contract
Hong Kong striker Michael Udebuluzor has confirmed his time with Suzhou Dongwu was over before it started, after the club announced it had 'terminated the player's reporting process'. Days of rumour and speculation ended late on Friday, when the mainland club finally commented on a situation sparked by Udebuluzor calling Chinese supporters 'b******s' after after his side's 1-0 defeat to China in the East Asian Football Championship on Tuesday. In response, the 21-year-old was subjected to extreme racial abuse by some supporters on social media, while others called for the China League One club to cancel a contract signed just 24 hours earlier. On Friday, Suzhou published a post on their official WeChat page announcing the signing of two new players. In the comments, one user asked: 'What about Michael?' In response, the club said it had 'terminated the player's reporting process to the team on July 16, and will handle the follow-up in accordance with the law, regulations and contractual agreement'. Michael Udebuluzor (left) fends off China's Zhang Yuning in their match on Tuesday. Photo: AP Udebuluzor had initially declined to comment when asked about the situation, but told the Post on Saturday that he wished 'Suzhou the best, and also all the Chinese supporters the best, even if some were abusive towards me'.
South China Morning Post
17-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong striker angers China fans with post-match comments, asks for forgiveness
Hong Kong striker Michael Udebuluzor has been hammered on social media over comments he made after Tuesday's East Asian Football Championship match against China. China won a tight affair 1-0 in South Korea and following the clash, Udebuluzor addressed the travelling Hong Kong fans, who outnumbered their mainland counterparts, using a megaphone to thank them for their support, adding: 'Look at the Chinese fans, next time we'll beat these b******s'. The incident occurred just 24 hours after the 21-year-old signed for China League One side Suzhou Dongwu, and he has since apologised for his comments. But several social media users on the mainland urged the club to terminate his contract, while the Post has also seen several vile slurs directed at the player. Udebuluzor, however, told the Post that the comments, which were racial in nature, were not a fair representation of his experience with people in China. Hong Kong's Michael Udebuluzor (right) is tackled by China's Xie Wenneng. Photo: HKFA 'I truly believe the Chinese people are not racist,' he said. 'I lived there for many years. I have a lot of Chinese friends and none of them are racist. I don't believe a lot of the people who gave me those comments are racist. I also know they are very sensitive to what I said – they took things out of context.
South China Morning Post
10-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong striker Udebuluzor hopes to make China home, as he quits problem club in Germany
Michael Udebuluzor has pledged to knuckle down and fulfil his potential after emerging from a difficult period outside football. The Hong Kong striker was one of the few players to emerge with credit from Tuesday's 6-1 drubbing by Japan, after he was introduced with his side at 5-0 down at half-time in their East Asian Football Championship opener. Udebuluzor said he was juggling the city's time in South Korea with finalising his exit from VfR Mannheim, where he moved last summer from fellow German club FC Ingolstadt 04. 'I don't like the club, I've had my problems with the coach, and it's best for me to leave,' Udebuluzor said. 'My next club could be in Europe or Asia. 'Maybe it would be better to be in China, I'd be closer to my family and have no distractions. Germany had its problems, which I don't want to get into.' Michael Udebuluzor (left) wins the last-minute penalty that earned Hong Kong victory over India last month. Photo: Elson Li Asked if he had been happy in Germany, Udebuluzor replied 'no', but added that he expected that to change in a new country, where he would 'work harder and I can try to be the best I can be'.
South China Morning Post
10-06-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong boss' delight after Pereira penalty secures dramatic Asian Cup win over India
The nerveless Stefan Pereira scored a stoppage-time penalty to earn Hong Kong a dramatic 1-0 win over India at a cacophonous Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday. Pereira had been on the pitch only five minutes when he hopped and skipped to the spot, then eased his strike beyond Vishal Kaith and in off the left post. Kai Tak erupted. Minutes later, most of the 42,570 crowd were noisily celebrating again. The result extended the city team's record-breaking unbeaten run to a 10th match, and left them with a healthy four points from their opening two AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Hong Kong were brimming with industry and bite all night. But just as it appeared they would pay for a lack of finesse, after going 320 minutes without a goal, Ngan Cheuk-pan located fellow substitute Michael Udebuluzor's forward run with a cute dink from midfield. Beaten by Udebuluzor to the ball, Kaith had nowhere to go and brought down the attacker. How the fervent home crowd would have been whipped up earlier had Manuel Bleda aimed fractionally lower from 20 yards after Juninho's third-minute lay-off.
RTHK
10-06-2025
- Sport
- RTHK
HK, China beat India 1-0 in Kai Tak debut
HK, China beat India 1-0 in Kai Tak debut Hong Kong, China takes a huge step towards the finals in Saudi Arabia in 2027. Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Football Association Hong Kong, China on Tuesday won their Group C matchup against India in qualifiers for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia, beating India 1-0 in the squad's debut game at the Kai Tak Stadium. The match was played in front of the largest home crowd for a Hong Kong football match in history, with the 42,500 fans making it an amazing and feisty atmosphere. The SAR won the game with a second-half injury time penalty after Michael Udebuluzor was fouled in the box. Stefan Pereira calmly scored the winning penalty, sending the Kai Tak Sports Park into a frenzy. India had a few chances with their striker Muhammed Ashique Kuruniyan missing a point blank shot in the 34th minute. The team's legendary striker Sunil Chhetri – who came out of retirement to help his squad – played in the second half but to no avail. Group C remains incredibly open for all sides, as Hong Kong, China take a huge step towards the finals in Saudi Arabia in 2027.
