Kwok Ka Ming

Kwok Ka Ming

Personal information
Date of birth	(1949-10-30) 30 October 1949[1]
Place of birth	Hong Kong
Playing position	Right winger
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1968–1980	H.K. Rangers
National team
1968–1979	Hong Kong[1]	47	(12)
Teams managed
1982–1990	Hong Kong
1997	Hong Kong
2000–2001	Instant-Dict.
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Kwok Ka Ming MBE, JP^[2] (Chinese: 郭家明; Jyutping: gwok³ gaa¹ ming⁴, born 30 October 1949^[1]) is an association football expert from Hong Kong.

Early life

Kwok graduated from St. Francis Xavier's College where he played in the school basketball and table tennis team. He joined the Hong Kong Football Association junior training course in 1965. Kwok Ka Ming joined Hong Kong first division team Hong Kong Rangers at the age of 18. He played at the right side of midfield for both Rangers and Hong Kong in the 1970s. He retired from playing in 1980, when he was just 30 years old.

He was award the "10 Outstanding Youths of Hong Kong" award in 1977 for his contribution to Hong Kong football, along with famed Hong Kong movie director Michael Hui.

1985 match against China PR

Kwok later became the coach of the Hong Kong football team, guiding the team to a decisive victory against China PR by 2-1 at the Workers Stadium in Beijing, China on 19 May 1985, during a 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifying game.

Although the two teams drew 0-0 in their first match in Hong Kong, China PR was considered to be stronger and was favoured to win the group. Due to superior goal difference, China only needed a draw to proceed to the next round. However, a 20-yard freekick by Hong Kong's Cheung Chi Tak (張志德) opened the scoring. China PR replied with Li Hui (李輝)'s goal but another well taken goal by Ku Kam Fai (顧錦輝) sealed the win for Hong Kong and sent China PR out of the 1986 World Cup.

The loss to Hong Kong delayed China PR's World Cup entry for another 16 years before they finally appeared in Korea Japan 2002. After the game, Chinese fans rioted outside the stadium, while the Hong Kong team received a heroic welcome at the Kai Tak Airport.

The victory was passionately remembered by Hong Kong football fans as "The 519 Victory".

1986 FIFA World Cup Asia Qualifying Play offs

Hong Kong thus earned the right to play Japan for two home and away ties in the second qualifying round. Kwok led the team to Japan but lost 3-0.

For the return leg at the Hong Kong Stadium, the match was completely sold out but the Hong Kong team missed a penalty and lost again to Japan by 2-1.

Other tournaments

He has been, for many different tournaments, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup, a member of The FIFA Technical Study Group.

References