Banking On Hong Leong
Tian Yonghang would be out doing a bit of early 11.11 shopping before the cup final, which yielded 34 year-old former national player
Hong Kang Leong for a bargain-basement S$2.86 million. Having won eight caps for the senior team and six for the juniors, the teenaged prodigy brought in S$4 million for Ang Mohs in flip flops immediately upon turning professional and moving to Romania's FC Tâmpa Braşov, before earning Braşov a quick S$1.5 million profit upon being sold to Hungary's Newcastle United.. a month later - where he duly helped them to a Division Five title three seasons later, alongside his Young Lions call-up.
That was only the start of Hong's saga, with his next destination at 23 years old being fallen The Pacific Premier champions Eager to Beaver. Again, he would help restore them to the top flight from Division Four over some eight years, in the process picking up the Oceania Emerald Challenger Cup, while earning national honours. Saudi twice-Al Dawry Al Momtaz winners Falcons Addicted then came for him, and he would lead them to silverware too, in capturing the Saudi Arabia Consolation Cup.
Given this, Hong's availability was nigh-irresistable to Tian. "He walks like a winner, he talks like a winner, heck, he
is a winner." the head coach enthused. "At this price, for a role we are currenly thin on, it was a complete steal!"
From this, there should be few doubts that Hong will play a large part in the final on Wednesday, but for now, all he had to say was that it was good to be back home - having already considered and turned down a competing bid from Nepali A-Division club FC Lobärg Asia. Hong will wear the Number Five last owned by Scottish defender Gilbert Webb, as his preferred Number Seven is held by fellow former national teamer
Brian Reddy.