Tag: Hong Kong
HK Beat UAE to Qualify for Asia Cup
In a rain-affected final of the Asia Cup Qualifier 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong beat the United Arab Emirates by two wickets (DLS method) to book their place in the Asia Cup.
A fine five-for from Aizaz Khan first helped Hong Kong restrict UAE to 176/9 in 24 overs, the innings affected by a long rain break, before Hong Kong found enough contributors right through their chase to get to their revised target of 179 with three balls left.
Hong Kong captain Anshuman Rath won the toss and elected to bowl first in the cloudy and humid conditions. A bigly game for both teams with the winners guaranteed a place in the Asia Cup – in the group with Pakistan and India.
The UAE innings – a two-part affair, of 15.2 overs first and then 8.4 overs, broken by a long interruption because of rain and a wet outfield – started well with the opening pair of Ashfaq and Suri negating the early movement making their way past 50 in the first 12 overs.
Tanwir Afzal made the initial breakthrough with an excellent delivery hitting the top of off stump to dismiss Suri leaving UAE 52-1. Aizaz Khan was bought into the attack and had made an immediate impression dismissing the UAE captain Mustafa for an 8 ball duck and Shahzad for 2 before play was halted for almost 4 hours with UAE on 65-3 off 15.2 overs.
The rain delay saw the match reduced to 24 overs per side. After the restart Ashfaq and Anwar attacked the Hong Kong bowlers with a number of boundaries struck with Ehsan Khan being targeted on a flat Kinrara wicket. Nadeem Ahmed made the breakthrough dismissing Anwar for 22 and Ashfaq who top scored with 79. A flurry of wickets and boundaries saw UAE through to 176-9 off their allotted 24 overs. Aizaz Khan was magnificent in taking 5-28 to lead the seam attack on a flat batting wicket.
Hong Kong, with the benefit of knowing their target and the number of overs at their disposal, started well with Nizakat Khan and Anshuman Rath, two of their most pedigreed batsmen. The two added 64 runs in just six overs to put Hong Kong in front before Rohan Mustafa had Nizakat’s number, sending him back for a 20-ball 38.
Then followed a good phase for UAE as Babar Hayat and Kinchit Shah followed Nizakat to the pavilion to leave the scoreboard reading 68/3, which became 82/4 in the 10th over when Ahmed Raza bowled Rath for 28.
The UAE were in front at that stage, but Christopher Carter (33 in 32 balls) and Ehsan Khan (29 in 24) made sure the game was back on an even keel with a 53-run stand for the fifth wicket. A dramatic game took another turn when Carter was run out and Mohammad Naveed struck twice in one over to leave Hong Kong at a precarious 147/7.
The closer the Hong Kong team got to the target the more the drama unfolded. Ehsan Khan and Aizaz Khan departed with 33 still needed and. The experienced duo of Tanwir Afzal and Scott McKechnie came together and played with a great deal of courage and experience to continue to whittle away at the target. The danger man for UAE (Naveed) returned to bowl his final over with the game in the balance. A full blooded pull for 6 by Afzal was followed by an audacious scoop over fine leg by McKechnie to leave 12 runs required with 12 balls remaining.
The dismissal of Afzal off the last ball of the 23rd over left Hong Kong needing 3 to win off the final 6 balls with 2 wickets remaining. The first ball offered the chance of a run out at the non-strikers end which was missed…… 2 off 5 needed. McKechnie looking to finish with glory missed his pull shot but scampered a single to 3rd Man…… 1 off 4 needed. The winning run saw the batsman scamper through for a bye after the keeper fumbled the ball standing back… Hong Kong win by 2 wickets with 3 balls remaining and qualify for the Asia Cup!
Hong Kong will now prepare for their Asia Cup opener against Pakistan, to be played in Dubai on 16 September, followed by the fixture against India, also in Dubai, on 18 September.
Hong Kong captain Anshuman Rath, acknowledged UAE’s efforts “The UAE batsmen batted tremendously well after the rain delay. To get that many runs in 10 overs is no joke on any ground. The momentum was with them, but we knew it was a good wicket. Games like that can go either way, so credit to UAE for playing such an awesome game. We knew we had the batting firepower to chase it down, and luckily that happened.”
UAE’s coach, Dougie Brown, was understandably very disappointed at the result. He said: “Gutted doesn’t even come close to describing the feeling right now. I think the guys deserve a hell of a lot of credit for the way they fought. We didn’t get everything right. We maybe didn’t bowl as well as we can do. We maybe didn’t field quite as well as we know we can, but to get into the position we did, to get into the position where we had the total to defend we ended up with, was a phenomenal effort. Credit to Hong Kong, they won some critical moments in a game of very fine margins.”
Additional reporting and images: HK Cricket, ICC
12K Hong Kong Timelapse Video
Shot by Imagine This the timelapse video features 160,000 individually stitched RAW images, and down-sampled from 12K to 8K for YouTube.
According to the team the project took over 1,800 man-hrs of planning, testing, shooting, stitching and rendering, and over 20TB of data was generated.
There’s also a version posted on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/283337897
689 Threatens FCC Over Andy Chan Ho-tin Talk
In a post on his facebook page 689 threatened the Foreign Correspondents’ Club with eviction from their clubhouse if they allowed Andy Chan Ho-tin’s talk about his views on Hong Kong’s future to go ahead.
https://www.facebook.com/leung.cy.108/posts/678471159182031
It’s amazing how thin skinned and insecure Xi Jinping and his sycophants are.
CY Leung did nothing but demean and denigrate the people he was ‘elected’ to govern during his time as ‘Chief Executive’ of Hong Kong – while enriching himself and his Beijing buddies.
Xi and the CCP by their actions and policies directly created the idea of an independent Hong Kong. By ignoring the needs and desires of HongKongers they sowed the seeds and then actively fertilised dissent and dissatisfaction.
Why because it’s easy to rule and skim the cream from the pot by pitting HongKonger against HongKonger. Favouring and rewarding the sycophants, penalising those who don’t kiss the ring is designed to divide and distract while the oligarchy feasts on both.
If you think China is so wonderful, then why do so many mainland Chinese – including Xi and all his top CCP cronies – look to get their money out of China as quickly as possible!!
No other people in the world have so little faith in their own country when it comes to investing their own personal wealth.
Beijing and Xi want to destroy Hong Kong and it’s values including freedom of speech, an independent judiciary and an honest police force.
Yet it’s to Hong Kong that mainlanders flock to secure and safeguard their savings and future. You have to ask why they do this, if China – as supreme leader Xi loves to espouse – is such a wonderful country where all are equal and people’s rights are respected.
Xi and the CCP are so jealous of what we HongKongers have created without them that they need to destroy it because they fear it.
We do not agree with Andy Chan Ho-tin, but we respect that he has the right to express his views.
To quote the poem of anti–Nazi theologian and pastor Martin Niemöller
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Big Rowing Day
Under the sunshine and gentle breezes of the Shing Mun River more than 500 rowers celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Hong Kong, China Rowing Association.
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Big-Rowing-Day-1-May-2018/i-2DhF5qt
The ‘Big Rowing Day’ was the kickoff event of the HKCRA’s 40th anniversary and featured many past and present Hong Kong Olympians including Lee Ka Man (2016), Lee Yuen Yin (2016), Tang Chiu Mang (2016), Chiu Hin Chun (2016), Leung Chun Shek (2012), Lok Kwan Hoi (2012), Chow Kwong Wing (2008), So Sau Wah (2004, 2008, 2012), Lo Ting Wai (2004), Michael Tse (1996), Ho Kim Fai (1992), Lui Kam Chi (1992), Chiang Yun Kuen (1992), plus upcoming Asian Games medal hopes: Chan Tik Lun, James Wong Pak Yan, Yuen Yun Lam, Wong Wai Kin, Wong Sheung Yee, Loo Ka Fu, Hui Wing Ki And Winne Hung Wing Yan.
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Big-Rowing-Day-1-May-2018/i-Qj4g285
If you would like to learn more about rowing in Hong Kong check out the HKCRA’s website www.rowing.org.hk or their facebook page www.facebook.com/hkrowing.
HK Womens Sevens @ So Kon Po – 5 April, 2018
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Hong-Kong-Womens-Sevens-So-Kon-Po-5-April-2018/i-ST3DrNC
A packed crowd at So Kon Po enjoyed a sun-drenched day of exciting rugby at the 2018 HK Women’s Rugby Sevens. Apart from a superb solo try by Natasha Olson Thorne, in a hard fought 17-12 victory against Kazakhstan, there was little local cheer as two heavy defeats against Brazil (38-0) and China (19-7) meant the hosts again failed to reach day two and a first experience of the HK Stadium atmosphere.
Click on any photo for the full gallery of images.
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Hong-Kong-Womens-Sevens-So-Kon-Po-5-April-2018/i-JkD2nFK
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Hong-Kong-Womens-Sevens-So-Kon-Po-5-April-2018/i-M29cMdb
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Hong-Kong-Womens-Sevens-So-Kon-Po-5-April-2018/i-Fs7wknJ
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Hong-Kong-Womens-Sevens-So-Kon-Po-5-April-2018/i-9TfjdX4
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Hong-Kong-Womens-Sevens-So-Kon-Po-5-April-2018/i-fvKzG3J
Hong Kong At The Women’s Sevens
After a disappointing tournament in 2017 the Hong Kong women’s team again look to make their debut at the Hong Kong Stadium and Coach Kevin West has picked a squad for the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series Qualifier that blends experience and youth.
Five players are set to make their sevens debut at So Kon Po – the newcomers are Stephanie Chan Chor-ki, Vivian Poon Hoi-yan, Amber Tsang Wing-chi, Agnes Chan Tsz-Ching and Agnes Tse Wing-kui.
While captain and vice captain Christy Cheng Ka-chi and Natasha Olson-Thorne both make their eighth Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens appearance.
“It’s a good group,” said West. “It’s a real mix of experience and youth, which is what we’ve been trying to do. There are five making their Hong Kong debuts, but we’ve been lucky because they’ve already had tournaments in Fiji and Borneo. They all have some tournament experience – not of the level of Hong Kong maybe, but there’s only one way to find that out isn’t there?”
West continued “Agnes Chan was one of our great finds at the fifteens world cup and she has just kicked on since then; it’s great to have her in. Vivian, Amber and Stephanie all give us a degree of pace, they make the squad slightly pacier throughout the park, rather than having one or two fliers. All of them play as if they’ve got nothing to lose, which is great.”
The debuts are partially injury-forced, (after the loss of wings Chong Ka-yan and Aggie Poon Pak-yan and fly half Lee Tsz-ting in the build-up). “We have had to look at things after losing some of our major strike threats in Aggie and Ka-yan, and a lot of experience in BB, but that’s the nature of the sport – with the newcomers we are well covered,” said West.
About Agnes Tse, who only joined the squad this month, West said “I coached her in our junior development fifteens programme… We particularly needed to cover that outside back area, the centre/wing area, which kept some of the others from making the squad at the end of the day, but Agnes has obviously done really well. She has earned her selection.”
“She’s tough and she has speed. Her job for us is to have a go, to take the line on. She’s good in the tackle and quite physical. She’s settled in really well and done brilliantly really. She is a level, mature girl, who I’m sure will just put her head down, take it all in stride and work hard,” added West.
Hong Kong open the tournament against Brazil (11.36), before playing more familiar foes in China (13.48) and Kazakhstan (16.22).
“Like just about every team we will be playing they’re bigger than us,” West said of the Brazilians, who beat World Series side and Asian champions Japan twice en route to a ninth-place finish in Rio.
“They also have a bit of pace. Actually there are a lot of similarities in the style of play throughout the group, with China and Kazakhstan also having a real physical element. We are prepared for that,” said West.
With a chance to play on the Stadium pitch during Hong Kong Sevens – and a spot on the World Series up for grabs West has the squad focused on the weekend but is also looking to the future.
“We are taking Hong Kong very seriously. It is our home tournament, so there is both a need and some pressure for us to perform, but we are very aware that our major goal this year is the Asian Games.
“So, for these girls to get this sort of tournament under their belts, against some of the world’s best and some of the competition we will play at the Games will hold us in good stead regardless of anything else,” said West.
The action begins at So Kon Po, directly across from the Hong Kong Stadium, on Thursday, 5 April. After the pool stages, the quarterfinalists (top eight) of the 12-team international competition will move to the Stadium on Friday, 6 April, as part of the opening day’s action at the Hong Kong Sevens. The winner of the Qualifier receives an automatic berth on next season’s World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.
Hong Kong Women’s Sevens Squad – World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series Qualifier 2018 :
Christy Cheng Ka-chi (Captain),
Natasha Olson-Thorne (Vice Captain),
Agnes Chan Tsz-Ching,
Stephanie Chan Chor-ki,
Ivy Kwong Sau-yan,
Melody LiNim-yan,
Nam Ka-man,
Vivian Poon Hoi-yan,
Sham Wai-sum,
Colleen Tjosvold,
Amber Tsang Wing-chi,
Agnes Tse Wing-kiu.
Additional reporting and images: HKRU
Rugby Week 2018
After the individual creativity of Art Week, the wonders of team creativity are on display as Rugby Week 2018 scrums down.
The action starts at King’s Park on Wednesday with KowloonFest where the old and venerable rumble around the pitch and have a lot of fun as their brain sees them sprinting to score a fantastic try only to find their legs unable to keep up…
While the 7s is all speed and patterns, perhaps the best rugby of the week is at the Hong Kong Tens. With proper scrums and brutal power forward play the Tens features, especially on Thursday night, perhaps the closest we in Hong Kong can get to seeing modern rugby up close and personal. Select teams packed with talent, new and old, from around the world put a physicality and rawness to images seen on television that really has to be experienced in person.
The wonderful HK Women’s Seven is again a qualifier for the Women’s World Series. If you can’t get a ticket to the Sevens then head to So Kon Po and cheer on Hong Kong.
The Sevens, amidst the partying a rugby tournament takes place. The quality of the other World Series tournaments isn’t as good as in the past – empty stadiums on the World Series attest to that. Yet Hong Kong still sees teams raising their game…
Here are the dates for your diary for what promises to be some fantastic sport and a lot of fun.
Kowloon Fest
When: 4 April, 2018
Where: Kings Park
How much: Free
More info: www.rugbyfest.org
Hong Kong Tens
When: 4-5 April, 2018
Where: Hong Kong Football Club
How much: $125, $100 (advance)
More info: www.hongkongtens.com
Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens
When: 5-6 April, 2018
Where: So Kon Po, Semi-final and Final-HK Stadium
How much: Free
More info: www.facebook.com/hkwr.sevens
Hong Kong 7s
When: 6-8 April, 2018
Where: HK Stadium
How much: $1,950 (sold out)
More info: www.hksevens.com