South China AA

South China
Full name South China Athletic Association
Nickname(s) 少林寺 (Shao Lin Temple)
Founded December 12, 1910 (1910-12-12)
as South China Football Club
Ground Hong Kong Stadium
(Capacity: 40,000)
Chairman Steven Lo
(Football Management Committee)
Head Coach Ján Kocian
League Hong Kong First Division
2010–11 2nd
Website Club home page
Home colours
Away colours
Current season

South China Athletic Association (also known as South China, SCAA, Chinese: 南華體育會) is a Hong Kong sports club, best known for its football team.

The football team plays in the top-level league of Hong Kong, Hong Kong First Division League. It is the football club with most honours in Hong Kong having won a record 40 First Division League titles. They have also won a record 30 Senior Shields, a record 9 FA Cups and 2 League Cups.

Nicknamed "Shaolin Temple" and "Caroliners", South China AA has produced many great Hong Kong footballers over the years.

In November 2007 the club entered into a charity partnership with Hong Kong Red Cross. The partnership is a pioneer between a sports association and a humanitarian organisation in Hong Kong.

Contents

History

Early history

The Chinese Football Team was founded in 1904 by a group of Chinese students in Hong Kong,[1][2] including Mok Hing (Chinese: 莫慶[3]) and Tong Fuk Cheung (Chinese: 唐福祥, the captain of China national football team in 1910s[4]). In 1910, the team was renamed as South China Football Club.[1][2][3]

In the 1917 Far Eastern Games and 1919 Far Eastern Games (also known as the Far East Olympics Tournament), the club represented the Republic of China and won the football championship.[5] It is the only team in Hong Kong sports history to have accomplished this feat.[5] China lost in the final to the Philippines in the first to be held, in 1913,[6] but in the next nine it won every time, right through until the last FECG to be held in 1934. On that occasion China was a joint winner with Japan. Throughout these tournaments, the majority of the China team was composed of SCAA players.

On 1920, South China which began as a club called the South China Athletic Association founded by Mok Hing.[5]

Around 1920–1922, the club formally adopted the present name of South China Athletic Association and diversified into other sports such as basketball.[5][7]

1980s

Since its foundation, South China had an all-Chinese Policy that only fielded Chinese players. Even their foreign players were overseas Chinese players such as Edmund Wee, Chow Chee Keong, Chan Kwok Leung, etc. Up until 1980's, the policy was very successful. But when professional football took off in Hong Kong, the club could not cope with the influx of foreign players and performed poorly at the beginning of the 1981–1982 season. On November 2, 1981, the club voted to end its over 60 years old All-Chinese policy. Although the club was able to avoid relegation that season, it was not incident free. On June 6, 1982, after the club drew an all-important match with Caroline Hill, the fans rioted outside the stadium that spread onto Causeway Bay. The riot was the largest civil disorder in Hong Kong since the leftist riot in 1967.

2000s

As they failed to beat Citizen in the last game of the 2005–06 season, South China was to be relegated for the first time since 1983.[8] However, on 14 June 2006, the Hong Kong Football Association approved a request from South China to remain in the first division with the promise of strengthening their squad. Staying true to their word, South China heavily strengthened their squad and coaching staff. As a result, South China successfully regained the First Division League title in the 2006/2007 season, and also winning the Hong Kong FA Cup and the Hong Kong Senior Shield, achieving the famous treble.

The team has gone from strength to strength, while the team has had continued success on the domestic front, winning three consecutive league titles in the process, it has also had success in other international club competitions. The team has reached the semi-finals of the 2009/2010 AFC Cup. South China's success has seen the team climb in world club rankings to their new high of 145th, even surpassing other Mainland Chinese clubs which are widely considered to be of a better standard than clubs in Hong Kong. In recent years the South China has taken part in several pre-season exhibition matches with European clubs, with the most notable being a 2:0 win against the English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

Much of the recent success has been attributed to the current chairman, Steven Lo, with his shrewd business sense he has rebuilt the team as a brand, and has played a major role in reigniting interest in the Hong Kong Football League. South China has reinvented their image and have partnered with several organisations and brands. In 2007, South China has enter into a partnership with Hong Kong Red Cross. The partnership is a pioneer between a sports association and a humanitarian organisation in Hong Kong, and South China is the first football team to ever bear the Red Cross emblem on the official kit. The appointment of the fashion brand Giorgio Armani as the official tailor, has allowed South China to join some of the world's elite, with the brand being associated with Chelsea Football Club and the English national team. In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of South China Football Team, world renowned designer Philippe Starck produced a special edition of the "Peninsula Chair", with the faces of the team and the chairman printed on.

Honours

Traditionally the most popular club in the city, SCAA is also the most successful football club in Hong Kong, winning the Hong Kong League 38 times (All-time ranking 1st), the Senior Shield 28 times (All-time ranking 1st), the now-defunct Viceroy Cup 8 times, the FA Cup 9 times (All-time ranking 1st) and the League Cup twice. The team had captured all the 4 main trophies in seasons 87–88 and 90–91. In November 2001, the team was awarded the AFC Team of the Month by the Asian Football Confederation.

Domestic

Winners (40): 1923–24, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1940–41, 1948–49, 1950–51, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1996–97, 1999–2000, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10
Runners-up (16): 1928–29, 1946–47, 1953–54, 1955–56, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1972–73, 1980–81, 1984–85, 1988–89, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2010–11
Winners (5): 1917–18, 1925–26, 1933–34, 1951–52, 1952–53
Runners-up (?):
Winners (30): 1928–29, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1940–41, 1948–49, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1964–65, 1971–72, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2009–10
Runners-up (?):
Winners (8): 1971–72, 1979–80, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1997–98
Runners-up (7): 1973–74, 1974–75, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1995–96
Winners (10): 1984–85, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2001–02, 2006–07, 2010–11
Runners-up (4): 1975–76, 1985–86, 1997–98, 2000–01
Winners (3): 2001–02, 2007–08, 2010–11
Winners (9): 1947–48, 1950–51, 1952–53, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1966–67
Runners-up (?):
Runners-up (1): 2009

Asian

Runners-up (1): 1993–94

Recent seasons





Players

Current squad

As of 4 Janaury 2012.[9]

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 GK Yapp Hung Fai
2 DF Lee Chi Ho
5 MF Bai He
6 DF Wong Chin Hung
7 FW Chan Siu Ki
8 MF Xu Deshuai
9 MF Lee Wai Lim
10 MF Au Yeung Yiu Chung
11 MF Li Haiqiang (captain)
12 DF Man Pei Tak
14 MF João Emir
15 DF Chan Wai Ho
16 MF Leung Chun Pong
No. Position Player
18 MF Kwok Kin Pong
19 FW Dhiego Martins
21 MF Dega
22 FW Giovane
23 GK Zhang Chunhui
25 MF Souza
26 MF Chan Pak Hang
30 DF Joel
31 FW Cheng Lai Hin
32 GK Fan Chun Yip
33 DF Ng Wai Chiu
38 FW Mateja Kežman
-- DF Yeo Jee-Hoon

On loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
20 MF Kot Cho Wai (at Hong Kong Sapling)
35 DF Cheung Chun Hei (at Hong Kong Sapling)
36 MF Li Jiayi (at Hong Kong Sapling)
GK Tin Man Ho (at Wan Chai SA)
No. Position Player
FW Li Yim Lam (at Hong Kong Sapling)
DF Lau Nim Yat (at TSW Pegasus)
GK Chan Chun Yu (at Wan Chai SA)

Reserves squad

As of 3 January 2012.[10][11][12]

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
13 MF Chan Chi Hong
GK Li Yat Chun
GK Chow Long Hei
DF Yu Kin Leung
DF Leung Ka Kiu
DF Law Chun Yan
MF Cheng King Lok
MF Wan Tsz Chung
MF Chan Kin Chung Kaven
MF Cuenca Ryan Ambrad
MF Wong Leung Kit
MF Wong Ming Fai
No. Position Player
MF Lau Fu Kuen
MF Cheung Kai Chun
MF Liu Pak Hin
MF Lo Chun Yan
MF Yeung Ka Ching
MF Ho Tsz Yeung
MF Chui Wan Yeung
FW Law Long Chung
FW Tsang Ho Yin
FW Chan Ka Cheung
FW Tsui Hoi Kin
FW Philip Da Conceicao

For recent transfers, see South China AA 2010–11 transfers.

Notable players

Current football management staff

Position Name
English Trad. Chinese
Chairman / Team Manager Steven Lo 羅傑承
Technical
Head Coach Ján Kocian 高世安
Assistant Coach Chan Ho Yin 陳浩然
Assistant Coach Ku Kam Fai 顧錦輝
Assistant Coach Chan Chi Hong 陳志康
Assistant Coach Edgar Aldrighi Junior 祖利亞
Goalkeeper Trainer Fan Chun Yip 范俊業
Management
Deputy Team Manager Jackal Hui 許家銓
Administrative Assistant Chan Chun Yu 陳振宇
Advisor
Physical Advisor Kim Pan-Gon 金判坤
Physical Therapist Jacky Leung 梁澤祺
Sports Therapist Lau Pok Yin 劉璞現
Marketing
Project Manager Soso Ip 葉偉茹
Public Relations Officer Mandy Chan 陳凱雯
Project Executive Kari Li 李碧駿
Multimedia Designer Theo Hung 洪偉基

Coaches

As of 29 January 2011. Only competitive matches are counted. Wins, losses and draws are results at the final whistle; the results of penalty shoot-outs are not counted.

Name Nat From To Record Honours
English Chinese P W D L F A %W
Chu Kwok Lun 朱國倫 1954 1970 ?
Kwok Shek 郭石 1970 1977 ?
Ng Wai Man 吳偉文 1977 1981 ?
漢拿 1981 1982 ?
Kwok Kam Hung 郭錦洪 1982 1982 ?
Peter Wong 黃興桂 1982 1983 ?
Alex Miller 米勒 1983 1983 ?
Ng Wai Man 吳偉文 1983 1984 ?
Casemiro Mior 米路 1998 2002 ?
Wong Man Wai 黃文偉 2002 2006 ?
Chan Kwok Hung 陳國雄
Ku Kam Fai 顧錦輝
Jorge Amaral 阿曼龍 2006 24 November 2006 10 6 2 2 20 13 60
Ku Kam Fai* & Chan Kwok Hung* 顧錦輝 & 陳國雄 & 25 November 2006 27 November 2006 1 1 0 0 5 2 100
Casemiro Mior 米路 28 November 2006 2007 20 15 3 2 49 15 75 1 First Division title, 1 Senior Shield, 1 FA Cup title
José Luís 路爾斯 2007 2008 34 19 4 11 79 41 55.9 1 First Division title, 1 League Cup title
Tsang Wai Chung 曾偉忠 1 July 2008 17 September 2008 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
Liu Chun Fai* 廖俊輝 17 September 2008 7 December 2008 11 9 1 1 30 7 81.8
Kim Pan-Gon 金判坤 8 December 2008 11 December 2010 27 19 4 4 72 16 70.4 2 First Division title, 1 Senior Shield title
Chan Ho Yin* 陳浩然 11 December 2010 28 June 2011 28 17 3 8 59 34 60.7 1 League Cup title, 1 FA Cup title
Ján Kocian 高世安 28 June 2011 Present 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Key
* Served as caretaker coach.

Partnerships

On 3 November 2009, South China and Tottenham Hotspur jointly announced a club partnership in Hong Kong. South China became the first club partner of Spurs in Asia. The partnership is for 2 years with an option to extend further. Besides planning in sharing of best practice in any areas of the technical and business sides of football, Tottenham Hotspur has the first option on South China players at all age levels. Tottenham Hotspur will support South China's coaching development through the exchange of scientific data, coaching materials and visits of coaching staffs to and from both teams. The two clubs will explore the possibility of a joint youth Academy and training centre in Hong Kong or in mainland China.[14]

Songs

A new official cheering song for SCAA. It was introduced in the first home match in 06–07 season against HKFC. The demo version of the song can be accessed on www.bma.com.hk.

This is not the official song of South China, and neither was the original official fans' song. It was sung by Albert Cheung 張武孝(also known as: 大Al/Big Al), and became very well known after being released in 1977, especially during late 70's and the 80's; during that period South China was a perennial challenger for the top spots in the league, and the song describes how strong and famous the team was.

References

  1. ^ a b "原名為華人足球隊" (in Traditional Chinese) (GIF). 南華八十年回憶錄. http://www.goalgoalgoal.com/attachments/20080402_a4896359e5e06993dd8fFF3b5QObGAX4.gif. Retrieved 2008-04-12. 
  2. ^ a b "第一個華人足球會和「足球王國」" (in Traditional Chinese). Wenweipao. http://magazine.sina.com/lifeweek/431/2007-05-20/ba33719.shtml. Retrieved 2008-04-12. 
  3. ^ a b "莫家後人「點將錄」" (in Traditional Chinese). Sina. 2008-01-26. http://paper.wenweipo.com/2008/01/26/OT0801260003.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-12. 
  4. ^ "1919中国足球队" (in Simplified Chinese). China Archives Information. 2007-08-03. http://www.zgdazxw.com.cn/NewsPicView.asp?ID=226. Retrieved 2008-04-12. 
  5. ^ a b c d Lam, S. F. Chang W, Julian (2006). The Quest for Gold: Fifty Years of Amateur Sports in Hong Kong, 1947–1997. Hong Kong University Publishing. ISBN 9622097669. 
  6. ^ Bojan, Jovanovic (15 October 1999). "First Far Eastern Games 1913 (Manila)". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesf/fareastgames13.html. Retrieved 6 November 2010. 
  7. ^ "History of the sport club". South China Athletic Association. http://www.scaa.org.hk/main_new_eng.htm. 
  8. ^ 傳媒報導 – 2006-08-01 羅傑承主政班費千萬增兵 南華搵摩連奴師兄執教, SCAA Fans Club official site, Accessed on October 20, 2007.
  9. ^ a b South China Athletic Association Football Section Staff/Team Member List for Division 1 - Season of 2011/2012
  10. ^ South China Athletic Association squad list – Hong Kong Football Association official website
  11. ^ South China AA jersey order from – South China FC official website
  12. ^ Reserve Team players – South China FC official website
  13. ^ southchinafc.com 11/12管理層資料索引
  14. ^ Club Partnership – Tottenham Hotspur & South China
  15. ^ 南 華 會 會 歌 – Song of South China

External links