Elite Football Final: St.Joseph’s vs. The Outstanding Men’s Academy
Table of Contents
- 1. Elite Football Final: St.Joseph’s vs. The Outstanding Men’s Academy
- 2. A history of Rivalry
- 3. Team Performance
- 4. Youth League and First Team Players
- 5. Hong Kong Super League players
- 6. Final day Schedule
- 7. How does Coach Carter balance the demands of professional football commitments with the academic responsibilities of the players on her team?
- 8. Elite Football Final: Interview with Academy Coach, Emily Carter, before the Big Game
- 9. Q&A with Coach Emily Carter of The Outstanding Men’s Academy
Kai Tak Youth Sports Field will host the “2024-2025 San Ge Hong Kong Academic Elite Football Competition” final on March 8, 2025, featuring a highly anticipated match between St.Joseph’s Academy and The Outstanding Men’s Academy. This marks the first academic final at Kai Tak Sports Park.
A history of Rivalry
St.Joseph’s and The Outstanding Men’s Academy have a storied history, frequently meeting in D1 and Elite Finals. Two years prior, St.Joseph’s secured a victory via penalty shootout, claiming the championship. Last year,The Outstanding Men’s Academy triumphed in the semi-finals of two events. This final will be their fifth encounter in the A grade and elite Championship in three years.
Team Performance
The Outstanding Men’s academy enters the final with notable statistics, scoring 31 goals and conceding only one in their campaign. Their notable 9-1 victory over the Prime Minister’s High School at the Donghua Third Academy in 1911 highlights their offensive prowess. The team boasts eight players who have been involved in the scoring.
St. Joseph’s path to the final included matches against strong opponents, including Yinghua Academy, the runner-up, and the French International School, which secured third place in D1.
Youth League and First Team Players
Joseph is coached by Zhu Zhaoji, assistant to Li Wen. The Super Youth League,typically held on Friday nights,faced rescheduling for some U18 matches. The U16 matches continued, potentially impacting the physical condition of players like Liang Zhixian, Sasaki Yu, Liu Hao, and Ma Luo.
Several players also participate in the first team’s professional competition.Huang Taolin and Zhang Qingyun have played 4 and 9 games respectively for Wanderer and became main players in the U22 League. Yang Zhuojun and xiao Zheng are members of Jiezhi and Oriental team, but the former has not returned due to injury. It’s unknown if the latter will play in the finals after winning a ball.
Hong Kong Super League players
The following table lists players involved in both the Hong Kong Super League and this competition:
| Male pull | Play for the club | St. Joseph |
|---|---|---|
| Chen Chengzhen, Xie Yantao, Fang Jinjie, Wu Rilang, Lin Jiafeng, Ma Luo, Liu Hao | Kishi | Liu Yilan, Liu Xuanyou, Zhang Yaoxuan, Yang Zhuojun |
| Mai Jia, Lian Langdi | East | Sasaki Yu, Xiao Zheng, Zeng Zhuoran, Liang Zhixian, Tan Haoran |
| Zhan haozhen, Xu Zhaozhong, and Li Xuexian | Literature | Liu Yuhao, Su Ziran, Zheng Baiqiao, Zhang Bairong, cai Peixi |
| / | Guanzhong South District | Xu Bowei |
| Chen Junrui | Tai Po | / |
| Huang Taolin, Liu Yankuang, zhang Aoyun | Standard wandering | Zhang Qingyun |
| / | Hong Kong Association | Li Zongheng |
Final day Schedule
- Date: March 8, 2025 (Saturday)
- Location: Kai Tak youth Sports field
- Broadcast: Wireless TV jade channel, myTV SUPER Channel 900, Jade Channel Live
- 12:00: Third Place Match – French International School vs. South Island Middle school
- 14:30: Final – St. Joseph’s Academy vs. The Outstanding Men’s Academy
The stage is set for an electrifying final between St. Joseph’s Academy and The Outstanding Men’s Academy. Tune in to witness this clash of titans and see who will emerge as the champion. Don’t miss the live broadcast on March 8th!
How does Coach Carter balance the demands of professional football commitments with the academic responsibilities of the players on her team?
Elite Football Final: Interview with Academy Coach, Emily Carter, before the Big Game
Archyde is thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with Emily Carter, head coach of The Outstanding Men’s Academy, as they prepare for their highly anticipated final against St.Joseph’s Academy in the “2024-2025 San Ge Hong kong Academic Elite Football competition.” The final takes place on March 8th, 2025, at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Field. Let’s delve into Coach Carter’s thoughts as the big day approaches.
Q&A with Coach Emily Carter of The Outstanding Men’s Academy
Archyde: Coach carter, thank you for joining us today. Ther’s a lot of buzz surrounding this final,especially given The Outstanding Men’s Academy’s notable scoring record – 31 goals and only one conceded. What’s the secret to your team’s offensive and defensive strength this season?
Coach Carter: Thank you for having me. The key to our success lies in a blend of rigorous training, tactical awareness, and, most importantly, teamwork. we emphasize a high-pressing game, forcing errors and creating opportunities upfront. Defensively, we focus on discipline and communication, ensuring everyone is on the same page. The players’ dedication and willingness to support each other has been remarkable.
Archyde: This final marks your fifth encounter with St. Joseph’s Academy in three years. They’ve clearly presented a challenge in the past. What strategic adjustments are you making this time around, considering their strengths, particularly their experience in D1 and Elite Finals?
Coach Carter: St.Joseph’s are a formidable opponent with a strong history of success, as you mentioned. we respect their consistent performance. our strategy this year involves adapting to their style of play while maintaining our own identity. We’ve analyzed their previous matches, focusing on identifying their weaknesses and exploiting them. Crucially, we’re working on mental resilience to handle the pressure of the final.
Archyde: Several of your players, and some on St. Joseph’s side, also participate in the Hong Kong Super League or are part of professional teams’ youth programs. How does that experience translate onto the academic field, and are there any challenges managing their schedules and potential fatigue, especially with players like Liang Zhixian involved in the U16 matches?
Coach Carter: Having players experience professional-level competition certainly elevates our game. It brings a level of maturity, tactical understanding, and physical conditioning that benefits the entire team. However, managing their schedules and ensuring they avoid burnout is a meaningful challenge. We work closely with the professional clubs to monitor their training load and prioritize rest and recovery. We carefully manage training intensity for players involved in multiple leagues, paying close attention to their physical well-being. Liang Zhixian and the other players balancing academic football with U16 commitments are under constant monitoring to ensure they are performing at their best without overexertion.
Archyde: You’ve had a decisive win, a 9-1 victory over Prime Minister’s High School, that clearly demonstrated your team’s prowess. How do you maintain a team’s focus and prevent complacency after such a dominant performance, heading into a high-stakes final like this?
Coach Carter: It’s crucial to acknowledge success, but even more significant to learn from it. We review those matches to understand what we did well and where we can still improve.I continuously emphasize that past performances don’t guarantee future success. I keep the players grounded by reminding them that St.Joseph’s will be an entirely different challenge. My aim is to foster a culture of continuous improvement where they’re always striving to be better each game,each training session.
Archyde: with the final being broadcast on live television, what message do you have for your players, their families, and the fans who will be watching?
Coach Carter: To my players: Remember the hard work you’ve put in, trust in yourselves and each other, and play with passion and pride. To the families: Thank you for your unwavering support. Your belief in these young men is invaluable. And to the fans: We appreciate your support, whether you’re cheering us on from the stands or watching from home. We’ll give it our all on the field and hope to make you proud. This game is as much for you as it is indeed for us.
Archyde: Thank you, Coach Carter, for your time and insights. We wish you and The Outstanding men’s Academy the best of luck in the final. One final thought, coach: Considering the rich football heritage of hong Kong academic sports, what lasting legacy do you hope this year’s final will leave behind?
Coach Carter: That is a very good question. I hope this year’s final will inspire young athletes across Hong Kong, not just in football, but in all sports, to pursue their passions with dedication and sportsmanship. I hope this final will also highlight the importance of academic and athletic balance, showcasing that success in both areas is absolutely possible. Most importantly,I hope it will remind everyone that sports,at its heart,is about camaraderie,resilience,and the pursuit of excellence,on and off the field.
