The Hong Kong football team will play their final East Asian Football Championship (EAFF E-1 Football Championship) match against China at 3 pm Hong Kong time today (July 15). While facing three strong teams likely means Hong Kong will finish at the bottom, the "red sea" - Hong Kong fans - have consistently outnumbered and outperformed opponents' supporters in both attendance and enthusiasm since the tournament began, creating the most spectacular view in the stands.
For today's crucial match against China (mainland), over 1,000 dedicated fans will make the journey to Yongin City, approximately 40km south of Seoul, to back their team. Fan organizations have invested significantly in producing customized cheer banners, flags, commemorative items, and even arranging dedicated bus tours for traveling supporters, completely transforming the conventional perception that Hong Kong people prioritize work above all else.
Win or lose, these unwavering supporters - Hong Kong football's legendary "12th Player" - are showcasing to the entire Asian football community the unique cultural value of Hong Kong football.
The term "12th Player" metaphorically represents how passionate fan support and deafening cheers can provide teams with additional motivation and advantage, essentially functioning as an extra player on the field.
Last month marked a historic moment when Hong Kong defeated higher FIFA-ranked India 1-0 at their new Kai Tak home ground before 42,570 spectators, setting a new attendance record for the Hong Kong representative team that will be forever etched in local football history. While the players and coaching staff deserved credit for this Asian Cup qualifying victory, the nonstop chanting and cheering from the stands played an equally crucial role in securing those precious three points.
Throughout this East Asian Championship, Hong Kong's supporter presence has grown exponentially - from the initial hundreds during the Japan match to nearly a thousand passionate fans for the showdown against host nation South Korea. The vibrant "red sea" concentrated behind the goal not only matched but often surpassed the energy of the scattered home supporters across other sections, with thunderous "Go Hong Kong!" chants regularly reverberating throughout the stadium.
While coordinated chants, team songs, and constant noise undoubtedly help motivate players to dig deeper, Hong Kong's "12th Player" contributes much more than just vocal support.
Comprehensive fan services
Some supporter groups began planning the logistics over a month in advance, arranging shuttle buses from central Seoul to the Yongin Mireu Stadium. Their organizational prowess proved so impressive that across three matchdays, they coordinated a total of 28 dedicated coach trips to transport fans - a level of efficiency that prompted even the organizers to jokingly remark on social media that they were "more meticulous than professional travel agencies." Taking it a step further, they developed a customized QR code check-in system to replace traditional roll calls, ensuring smooth boarding procedures and avoiding unnecessary delays.
From securing local transportation to creating dedicated WhatsApp communication groups, designing QR-coded wristbands, and implementing streamlined registration processes, this remarkable display of fan organization stems entirely from genuine passion and commitment to Hong Kong football.
During the South Korea match day, Wen Wei Po reporters embedded with one such bus tour witnessed firsthand the impressive mobilization. Nearly 200 red-clad supporters gathered at a designated department store near Seoul Station before departure, so many that red Hong Kong jerseys became a common sight throughout the shopping complex.
"Even the men's restrooms were filled with fellow supporters in team colors - we immediately started greeting each other," one fan recalled with amusement. For many first-time traveling supporters, this unique combination of football passion and group travel created unforgettable shared experiences.
Beyond cheering: Building culture
As the essential "12th Player," Hong Kong's supporters understand they're active participants in the match experience. Core members go beyond standard cheering - they create original chants, painstakingly hand-paint banners overnight, and incorporate humorous local references to engage new audiences through fresh approaches. Remarkably, this fundamental philosophy has remained unchanged for over a decade.
Longtime organizer Santi reflects emotionally on the evolution from packed stands at Mong Kok Stadium to 40,000-plus crowds at Kai Tak: "We've cultivated a distinct fan culture where people come not just as spectators, but as active participants. Digital platforms have helped unite more supporters than we ever imagined possible."
Strategic partnerships enhance value
Recently, fan groups have pioneered creative collaborations with commercial brands to reposition Hong Kong football as both "cool and meaningful." While European club jerseys dominate Hong Kong's streets, Santi's mission is to prove that supporting local football offers deeper connections and greater satisfaction. Beyond growing the fanbase, these efforts aim to demonstrate to potential sponsors that investing in Hong Kong football delivers tangible value.
"We want players to recognize their influence extends beyond the pitch through diverse partnerships that elevate their profiles and bring greater honor to representing Hong Kong," Santi explained.
Returning to the East Asian Championship context, while 147th-ranked Hong Kong suffered expected defeats against 15th-ranked Japan and 23rd-ranked South Korea, their supporter unity could rival any footballing nation. Through innovative engagement methods, Hong Kong fans continue spreading the unique joy and sense of belonging that comes with supporting their team through thick and thin.
This extraordinary "12th Player" remains Hong Kong football's most powerful asset - a vibrant, ever-growing "red sea" that flourishes in stadiums across the region, embodying the beautiful, romantic spirit of unconditional solidarity in modern football.
(Source: Wen Wei Po; Journalist: Ye Shimin, Wang Sijia; English Editor: Darius)
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