Rugby tournament takes place on new surface a week before qualifier, but insiders believe security fears are real reason
CHAN KIN-WAkinwa.chan@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Thursday, 24 September, 2015, 1:00am
UPDATED : Thursday, 24 September, 2015, 8:29am
The newly renovated pitch at Hong Kong Stadium, which officials say will be fine for a rugby tournament but not the Hong Kong v China World Cup qualifier. Photo: David Wong
The highly anticipated World Cup soccer qualifier between Hong Kong and China is unlikely to be staged at Hong Kong Stadium, despite government officials hailing the HK$100 million renovation of the troubled pitch.
Government officials called the pitch "top-class" yesterday, but warned it would not be able to withstand the two-day rugby sevens Olympic Asian zone qualifying tournament on November 7-8 followed by the World Cup qualifier a week later.
Government officials strongly hinted the World Cup match would need to move to a smaller venue - likely to be the 12,000-seat Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground.
"If you are asking me today - which is eight or nine weeks out - I would say it would be unlikely we would be able to provide a suitable surface," said Cameron Hodgkins, head of sports turf management at the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
"A world-class surface would be highly unlikely following such an intensive rugby tournament."
Hong Kong fans show their support during their 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier against China at Baoan Stadium in Shenzhen earlier this month. Photo: Edward Wong
A world-class surface would be highly unlikely following such an intensive rugby tournament
CAMERON HODGKINS
That would be a big blow to soccer fans as the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium is the ideal venue for the showdown against China on November 17. The away game in Shenzhen ended in a 1-1 draw.
Read all our World Cup 2018 coverage here
Hong Kong played their first three home matches at the 6,600-capacity Mong Kok Stadium.
The choice of venue has become a sensitive issue after the booing of the national anthem - which the two sides have shared since 1997 - by fans at Hong Kong's first home match against Bhutan in June, and the Chinese Football Association unveiling a controversial poster describing the skin colours of Hong Kong's naturalised players.
A source close to the Hong Kong Football Association said it was waiting for confirmation, although it had put forward Hong Kong Stadium as the venue for the match and it could be found on the Asian Football Confederation's website.
"We are still waiting for the government to inform us which stadium will be used, but hopefully it will be Hong Kong Stadium ... I don't think it's about the pitch," the source said.
"This is obviously a sensitive issue and it is probably more to do with security. There are high-level discussions taking place.
"We have asked for them to let us know as soon as possible as we have to sort out ticketing and other arrangements."
HKFA chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak said it would be "very disappointing" if the match was not staged at Hong Kong Stadium as they faced a big loss in fan support and an estimated HK$3 million in gate receipts.
http://m.scmp.com/news/article/1860941/hong-kong-stadium-unlikely-venue-china-v-hong-kong-world-cup-clash
