by KIM PAN-GON
SCMP Hong KongToday, 10:30 PM
No one doubted the commitment of coach Kim Pan-gon to Hong Kong soccer as he led the city in the recent World Cup qualifiers, but Hong Kong is also the place where Kim could have lost his life due to work pressure.
The two goalless draws against China in group C of the regional qualifiers are some of the best results against "Big Brother" China in recent years. This is particularly impressive as China are 84th in current Fifa rankings, while Hong Kong lie 61 places below them.
I was forced to abandon both jobs here. My doctor told me the disease could affect my liver and develop into cancer
KIM PAN-GON
The mainlanders were ranked top of the group when the draw was made in April, while Hong Kong were bottom among the five teams, which also included 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, Maldives and Bhutan.
But the Korean, 46, who always uses his famous slogan "Die for Hong Kong" to motivate his players, disclosed he might have died here himself due to a life-threatening disease.
"When I was the coach of [First Division club] South China and worked as a part-time coach for the Hong Kong team in 2010, I was under such enormous pressure that my kidney malfunctioned," said Kim, who has had a long association with Hong Kong soccer since his playing days around the turn of the century.
"I was forced to abandon both jobs here as my doctor told me the disease could affect my liver and develop into cancer, " he said.
Kim remembered how his kidney problem made him go to the toilet seven times a night and without sufficient sleep, he became easily angry with people around him. His family members and players suffered a lot during that period.
The Korean had to go back to his own country for treatment in late 2010 after leading domestic powerhouse South China to three consecutive domestic championships.
He joined Gyeongnam FC back home as a consultant, healing his kidney problem before returning to Hong Kong the following year as coach of the Hong Kong Football Association Academy. He took on the senior squad job in late 2012 following the sudden departure of Australian Ernie Merrick.
During his three years as head coach, Kim has tried to instil a fighting attitude akin to an army culture in the team so that the players can stand up to any difficulties.
"In Korea, if you are playing for the national team, you are prepared to die for it, but it's never been the case here in Hong Kong," he said.
"For Korean players, attitude always comes first. Maybe you are not as good as your opponents nor as strong as your opponents, but you must be able to show a strong mentality, letting them know you will fight until the last moment."
The coach is delighted that his players are making gradual changes under his guidance, although a lot more hard work and time is needed.
"They battled hard for every single moment against the more powerful China team in both their home and away matches in the World Cup qualifiers," he said.
"We knew we were fighting against a giant but we never stepped back. If you do, your rivals will not respect you, the fans will turn their back on you and the sponsors will leave you.
"Our recent home matches have drawn big crowds to support us. Even the international friendly against unheralded Myanmar attracted over 5,000 fans. This is a big encouragement to the players."
Hong Kong captain Yapp Hung-fai also paid tribute to the fans' support, saying he had never seen such scenes before.
"When we were down 3-0 against Qatar, the fans kept cheering for us and had no intention of leaving. This is why we could pull back two late goals because if the fans did not give up, how could the players give up?" said Yapp.
Already retired from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the Korean league for over three seasons, Kim was invited by former national team coach Kwok Ka-ming in 2000 to extend his playing career in Hong Kong where he starred for three clubs - Instant Dict, Double Flower and Rangers - before returning home in 2004.
When he was player/coach for Rangers, he came across a group of young players including Chan Wai-ho, Cheung Kin-fung, Lo Kwan-yee, Lee Chi-ho and Lam Ka-wai, who are now all staples of the Hong Kong team.
He came back to Hong Kong in 2008 when he was asked to manage South China.
"Many of these young players became regulars in the team and recommended that the club bring me back," he said.
After leading Hong Kong to second place in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers with one match left against Qatar, Kim will sit down with the Football Association to discuss the renewal of his contract, which comes up next month.
"I am happy Hong Kong has always offered me the opportunity," he said. "My family also enjoys living here, my kids are studying here. Hong Kong is such a safe city that I never have to worry about them coming home late.
"As a foreigner, I face a lot of difficulties as I am very serious about helping Hong Kong get results. But if they really trust me, respect me and support me, I am more than happy to stay.
"I can die for them."
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1881802/south-korean-kim-pan-gon-pushes-die-hong-kong-approach-leading-soccer
