The Hong Kong Women’s National Team was recently here in Singapore as they played two ‘A’ international friendly matches with Singapore Women’s National Team. The world-ranked 78th East Asian team did not lower their gear as they registered two victories out of as many games. So in their opinion, how’s the women’s football scene in Hong Kong right now? What are some of their most unforgettable football memories? And what do they think about the Singapore team? Junpiter Futbol sat down with (Main photo, L-R) defender Ma Chak Shun, team captain/midfielder Chan Wing Sze and goalkeeper Ng Cheuk Wai to have a chat.
How have been the football journey been for you in the past two years?
Ng: I went to Taiwan when the Covid just started. That was also my first time playing overseas, feeling excited and nervous. Although the entire journey of being a foreign player is not as easy as I thought, I have learned a lot, especially playing in a different environment. Basically, I think not just on the pitch, but off the pitch, I have improved a lot as well.
Ma: Both Chan and me experienced the same in Hong Kong. So in Hong Kong, all football league matches and training were stopped when the Covid hit. As we do not have any proper training ground, some of us would have to go over to the park and do our training ourselves. Sometimes, when we saw that a certain training ground was available, we would try to go in and train but it usually wouldn’t last long as we would be chased away! So this is exactly what happened in the past two years.
Covid certainly affected and changed a lot of our life. Having said that, does Covid affect any of your football dreams?
Ma: No, it doesn’t affect my football dream at all. In fact, this Covid has made us feel more appreciative of the time we have playing in a competition or even training. So we used to look forward to training or coaching every evening after work but that was something not possible in the past two years. It was like very suddenly, you had no more plans in the evening and at times you wouldn’t even feel motivated at work too. It was just feeling empty inside you.
Chan: Playing time has been massively reduced for sure but the dream of continuing playing football is always there. It will not change any bit.
Ng: Compared to both Chan and Ng, I could be slightly luckier in terms of accessing a proper training facility as I am a full-time foreign player playing in abroad. However, I do have a huge challenge as well. As a goalkeeper, I will need to have a proper training pitch, a goal pole, and someone to kick the ball to me to train. It was certainly not as easy as before during Covid but then again, I agree with both Chan and Mak, that Covid has taught us new things and we are ready to chase back what we have lost during Covid.
Hong Kong’s captain Chan Wing Sze (#6) leading the attack.
Which is your most unforgettable match?
Chan: I have played for so many years and have many unforgettable matches, to be honest. But I do have an unforgettable memory of a tournament – the 2014 Asian Games. The host nation for the tournament was South Korea and I recalled we were there for more than 24 days! It was the longest stay that I had experienced playing in an overseas tournament. Not forgetting you still have to get back to work after the trip, haha.
Ma: For me, the memory is still very fresh. It’s the Hong Kong Cup Women’s Final between Kitchee Women and my club, Chelsea SS HK Women on 18 June 2022. Even though we are relatively a young squad, I think we matched our experienced opponent. However, due to one slight mistake of mine, we conceded a goal. Eventually, we lost that Final. It was a terrible feeling but I got over it.
Ng: My most unforgettable match has to be my senior team debut against South Korea in the EAFF Women’s Football Championship Round-2 in Nov-2016. It was a match played at home in Hong Kong. And because of that, I recalled many of my friends making their way down to support me. Unfortunately, we suffered a heavy 14-0 defeat. Imagine I had to pick up the ball from my net 14 times. At the end of the match, I couldn’t control my emotion anymore, I broke down and cried. It was a harsh debut but I picked myself up from there on.
What is your opinion on the development of women’s football, or perhaps challenges in today’s football scene?
Ng: There is certainly more room for improvement like having more resources be made available or raising more awareness. For example, I know there will be people in Hong Kong who are not even aware that there is a Hong Kong Women’s National Team. But yes, definitely more people are aware of women’s football these days but I sincerely hope that there will be more opportunities and platforms for people in Hong Kong to catch women’s football actions.
Ma: We started to see the increased participation of women’s footballers in Hong Kong too. Currently, we have 8 women’s teams in Division 1 and 15 teams in Division 2. More girls are coming forward to play football. As I am also involved in community coaching, I could see the trend, the participation of young girls has increased significantly. Apart from that, the Elementary and High Schools have also started women’s football teams. Education-wise, there are also various schemes in place to see gifted footballers being accepted into the Universities because of their football involvement.
Chan: Over the years, we could see more and more people coming forward to get involved in women’s football. There are more opportunities, more games, and more exposure for women’s footballers these days. It is very encouraging for sure.
Hong Kong’s Ma Chak Shun (#3) defending against Singapore.
You have played against Singapore now. In your opinion, what do you think of Singapore football?
Chan: Actually before the friendly (June 2022), I have actually played against Singapore more than 10 years ago. To be honest, Singapore has improved so much as compared to the last time I played them. This group is fast, and able to hold possession and they are building up their play very well. It is a huge difference from what I could recall playing against back then. I also noticed this Singapore team recently just competed in the Southeast Asian Games. There is sure a lot of playing time for the players and probably that explains why the team has improved so much.
Ng: Ma and I feel the same. Not just Singapore has improved, we think that the relevant authorities are putting in a lot of effort in raising awareness for women’s football. I could see coverages on Singapore women’s training, photographs, and videos on Facebook, and it’s all very professionally done. Very encouraging to see all the coverages. Last but not least, we noticed the awesome turnout at the Stadium when we were playing Singapore. We enjoyed the experience.
What’s your plan for yourself in the next 5 years?
Ng: I hope that I can continue to play abroad for the next 5 years. Because you know sometimes playing abroad will allow us to experience more than what we usually do if I am going to play at home. Hence, I hope that I can continue to play abroad, continue to learn from the best and enjoy various football cultures outside of Hong Kong.
Ma: I would want to see myself representing Hong Kong more. Continue to work hard in my club and aim to lift the championship title. And if possible, I would also want to follow in the footsteps of both Chan (Japan) and Ng (Taiwan), to have the opportunity to play abroad too. As a defender, typically it’s difficult to move abroad but I am willing to work hard and see where it goes.
Chan: Haha, let me see.. in the next 5 years, I could have already been retired from the National Team but for sure I will still be playing for my club. Like Ma has explained earlier, currently, Hong Kong has two tiers of women’s league so I think the chances of me still playing in the league is a very feasible one. And I will continue to play until I can’t do it anymore!
Hong Kong’s custodian Ng Cheuk Wai in action.
Any advice for young footballers aspiring to be like you ladies?
Ng: For those who already have the opportunity to play at the highest level at a young age, please do not be complacent. Take every given opportunity to learn from the seniors and continue to improve. Regardless of age, if you’re good enough, you will play.
Ma: Do not give up easily. If today you do not make it as the First XI, you are going to give up and move on to another team thinking you might be able to make it elsewhere, then you’re wrong. You are going to work even harder, find that breakthrough for yourself and prove your worth. You have to work hard to overcome whatever challenges that come your way.
Chan: Also if you’re also dreaming of being a professional footballer playing overseas, you will have to adjust your mentality and adapt to whatever environment you’re going to be playing in. Especially overseas, you will meet plenty of challenges and pressures from not just the environment, but also your own teammates and club. So you have to adjust yourself, be prepared to adapt, and do your best. What if you have already been selected for the National Team? Let me share, coming into the National Team could be easy but what do you have to do to keep staying on the team? Then again, do not give up easily. If you want to be in the starting eleven, you have to work for it.
PROFILES
MA CHAK SHUN, 26-year-old |Defender |Chelsea SS (HK), 2012-2017, 2021-current/ Happy Valley FC Women (HK), 2017-2021 | Hong Kong 16 caps
CHAN WING SZE, 38-year-old |Midfielder | Sha Tin Women FC (HK), 2019-current/ Japan Soccer College (Japan), 2015/ Citizen FC (HK), 2011-2019/ Kwai Tsing Women FC (HK), 2001-2010 | Hong Kong 47 caps, 10 goals
NG CHEUK WAI, 25-year-old |Goalkeeper | Taoyuan Mars (Taiwan), 2022-current/ Taichung Blue Whale (Taiwan), 2020-2021/ Happy Valley FC Women (HK), 2017-2020/ Chelsea SS (HK), 2013-2016 | Hong Kong 12 caps
Special thanks to FAS (Football Association of Singapore) and HKFA (Hong Kong Football Association) for making this interview possible. Special mention to JPF Rep @ Hong Kong, Alan H.L Man.
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