Football is the people’s game and the people of Hong Kong have let their voice be heard – Recio Comi Fernando of champions Kitchee is the Hong Kong Footballer of the Year 2013-201.
A Hong Kong Football Association vote was open to the general public and after the ballots were counted, Fernando was deemed the territoriy’s finest player and also featured in the ‘team of the year’ selection.
Hong Kong Football Awards 2013-2014
Coach of the year 2013-2014:
Chan Chi Hong (Sun Pegasus)
Footballer of the Year 2013-2014:
Recio Comi Fernando (Kitchee)
Most Popular Player Award:
Rascic Admir (Sun Pegasus)
Young Footballers of the Year Award:
Chuck Yiu Kwok ( BC Rangers) and Wong Wai Yokohama FC (HK)
Nando’s commanding presence in the heart of Kitchee’s defense laid the foundation for the champions unbeaten league record and as a defensive rock, he is one of the reasons his side is still in the AFC Cup. Also honored were Chan Chi Hong of Sun Pegasus who picked up the “Manager of the year” award for expertly guiding Sun Pegasus to a respectful second place finish and Rascic Admir (Also Sun Pegasus) who won the “Most Popular Player Award” as the driving force and inspiration behind Sun Pegasus’s remarkable season.
The next generation of stars were also recognized with Chuck Yiu Kwok and Wong Wai winning the young footballer of the year awards for BC Rangers and Yokohama FC (HK) respectfully. Kitchee players dominated the team of the year category with an amazing five (Lo Kwan Yee, Tarres Paramo Jorge, Fernando, Lam Ka Wai, and Juan Carlos Rodriguez Belencoso) of their squad in the best XI of the season.
League runners up Sun Pegasus had the next highest contingent (Miovic Igor, Ju Yingzhi and Rascic) while South China had two with goalkeeper Yap Hung Fai and Kwok Kin Pong. De Souza Wellingsson (I-Sky Yuen Long) was the only player outside of the top three clubs to make the season’s best XI.
With Kitchee still in the AFC Cup quarter finals stage, their players still have the chance to make waves not just in Hong Kong but across the continent. The awards are a reflection of Kitchee’s total dominance of the Hong Kong league season and no one would argue otherwise against the results, which speak for themselves. Kitchee have earned the widespread respect of fans, journalists and rival teams.
Christopher KL Lau is the Hong Kong Correspondent for Wildeast Football. He has figured out twitter and can be found here: https://twitter.com/Chris_KL_Lau
Picture from HKFA
