2023–24 Hong Kong Sapling Cup
Tournament details | |
---|---|
Country | Hong Kong |
Dates | 30 September 2023 – 15 May 2024 |
Teams | 11 |
Defending champions | Southern |
Final positions | |
Champions | Rangers |
Runner-up | Kitchee |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 53 |
Goals scored | 209 (3.94 per match) |
Attendance | 21,288 (402 per match) |
Top goal scorer(s) | Noah Baffoe Ismael Dunga Mikael Nassam Ibrahim (7 goals each) |
← 2022–23 2024–25 → All statistics correct as of 15 May 2024. |
The 2023–24 Hong Kong Sapling Cup (named as JC Sapling Cup for sponsorship reasons) is the 9th edition of the Hong Kong Sapling Cup. The competition is contested by the 11 teams in the 2023–24 Hong Kong Premier League. Each team is required to field a minimum of three players born on or after 1 January 2002 (U-22) and a maximum of six foreign players during every whole match.
Southern are the defending champions, but were eliminated in the semi-finals. Rangers became the champions for the first time after beating Kitchee in the final.
The champions of the JC Sapling Cup will receive HKD$120,000 in prize money, and HKD$100,000 donation to the champions' specified organization. Meanwhile, the runner-up will receive HKD$60,000, and HKD$50,000 donation to the runner-up's specified organization. In addition, the two losing teams in the semi-finals will receive HK$30,000 while the remaining teams will receive HK$15,000.
In addition, the best U-22 player in each team will receive a prize of HKD$3,000. The most outstanding U-22 player among the selected best U-22 players from each team will receive an additional HKD$5,000 for being the best of all the U-22 players.[1]
Format
The participating teams were divided into two groups for a double round-robin tournament. Top two teams in each group advance to the semi-finals.
Calendar
Phase | Draw Date | Date | Matches | Clubs |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group stage | 20 September 2023 | 30 September 2023 – 24 March 2024 | 50 | 11 → 4 |
Semi-finals | 3, 10 April 2024 | 2 | 4 → 2 | |
Final | 15 May 2024 | 1 | 2 → 1 |
Fixtures and results
Group stage
Group A
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Southern | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 25 | 10 | +15 | 22 | Advance to Semi-finals |
2 | Tai Po | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 13 | +6 | 19 | |
3 | Eastern | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 25 | 14 | +11 | 17 | |
4 | HKFC | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 19 | 23 | −4 | 12 | |
5 | Sham Shui Po | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 15 | 33 | −18 | 7 | |
6 | HK U23 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 21 | −10 | 5 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Goal difference; 5) Goals scored.
15 October 2023 (2023-10-15) SP04 | Tai Po | 2–1 | HKFC | Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 388 Referee: Yu Kin Fung |
15 October 2023 (2023-10-15) SP05 | Southern | 2–2 | Eastern | Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground |
18:00 | Report |
| Attendance: 388 Referee: Ho Wai Sing |
15 November 2023 (2023-11-15) SP06 | HKFC | 2–0 | Tai Po | Kowloon Bay Park |
20:30 | Report | Attendance: 166 Referee: Yu Kin Fung |
19 November 2023 (2023-11-19) SP08 | Sham Shui Po | 0–4 | Southern | Kowloon Bay Park |
15:00 | Report | Attendance: 273 Referee: Yu Kin Fung |
19 November 2023 (2023-11-19) SP10 | HK U23 | 0–1 | Tai Po | Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground |
18:00 | Report |
| Attendance: 275 Referee: Wong Po Sing |
26 November 2023 (2023-11-26) SP11 | Eastern | 4–1 | HKFC | Sham Shui Po Sports Ground |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 254 Referee: Luk Kin Sun |
3 December 2023 (2023-12-03) SP12 | Sham Shui Po | 0–3 | Tai Po | Kowloon Bay Park |
15:00 | Report |
| Attendance: 161 Referee: Ho Wai Sing |
3 December 2023 (2023-12-03) SP13 | Eastern | 2–2 | HK U23 | Mong Kok Stadium |
18:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 272 Referee: Poon Chun Kit |
6 December 2023 (2023-12-06) SP14 | Tai Po | 2–1 | Eastern | Kowloon Bay Park |
20:30 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 261 Referee: Wong Po Sing |
24 December 2023 (2023-12-24) SP18 | Sham Shui Po | 4–4 | HKFC | Hong Kong Football Club Stadium |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 192 Referee: Tang Hing Fu |
25 December 2023 (2023-12-25) SP19 | Eastern | 2–2 | Tai Po | Kowloon Bay Park |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 442 Referee: Law Bik Chi |
30 December 2023 (2023-12-30) SP20 | Sham Shui Po | 0–5 | HK U23 | Kowloon Bay Park |
15:00 | Report |
| Attendance: 203 Referee: Wong Po Sing |
31 December 2023 (2023-12-31) SP21 | Southern | 2–2 | HKFC | Hong Kong Football Club Stadium |
15:00 | Report |
| Attendance: 358 Referee: Cheung Wai Lung |
6 January 2024 (2024-01-06) SP22 | Southern | 3–1 | Tai Po | Aberdeen Sports Ground |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 351 Referee: Luk Kin Sun |
6 January 2024 (2024-01-06) SP23 | Eastern | 3–0 | Sham Shui Po | Kowloon Bay Park |
15:00 | Report | Attendance: 190 Referee: Tang Hing Fu |
7 January 2024 (2024-01-07) SP26 | HKFC | 2–1 | HK U23 | Hong Kong Football Club Stadium |
16:30 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 256 Referee: Woo Chun Sing |
13 January 2024 (2024-01-13) SP27 | Southern | 3–1 | Sham Shui Po | Aberdeen Sports Ground |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 217 Referee: Wong Po Sing |
14 January 2024 (2024-01-14) SP30 | Tai Po | 4–0 | HK U23 | Tai Po Sports Ground |
15:00 |
| Report | Attendance: 333 Referee: Tam Ping Wun |
14 January 2024 (2024-01-14) SP31 | HKFC | 3–3 | Eastern | Hong Kong Football Club Stadium |
16:30 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 353 Referee: Law Bik Chi |
17 January 2024 (2024-01-17) SP32 | HK U23 | 1–1 | Southern | Kowloon Bay Park |
20:30 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 191 Referee: Wong Wai Lun |
21 January 2024 (2024-01-21) SP35 | Tai Po | 4–2 | Sham Shui Po | Tai Po Sports Ground |
15:00 | Report |
| Attendance: 330 Referee: Luk Kin Sun |
21 January 2024 (2024-01-21) SP36 | HK U23 | 1–2 | Eastern | Kowloon Bay Park |
15:00 |
| Report | Attendance: 176 Referee: Chow Hon Fai |
21 January 2024 (2024-01-21) SP37 | HKFC | 2–4 | Southern | Hong Kong Football Club Stadium |
16:30 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 333 Referee: Poon Chun Kit |
28 January 2024 (2024-01-28) SP39 | Eastern | 1–1 | Southern | Sham Shui Po Sports Ground |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 448 Referee: Yu Kin Fung |
28 January 2024 (2024-01-28) SP42 | HKFC | 1–3 | Sham Shui Po | Hong Kong Football Club Stadium |
16:30 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 160 Referee: Cheung Wai Lung |
31 January 2024 (2024-01-31) SP43 | Southern | 3–0 | HK U23 | Kowloon Bay Park |
20:00 |
| Report | Attendance: 126 Referee: Tam Ping Wun |
7 February 2024 (2024-02-07) SP45 | HK U23 | 0–1 | HKFC | Kowloon Bay Park |
20:00 | Report |
| Attendance: 83 Referee: Liu Kwok Man |
28 February 2024 (2024-02-28) SP46 | Tai Po | 0–2 | Southern | Mong Kok Stadium |
20:00 | Report | Attendance: 423 Referee: Poon Chun Kit |
9 March 2024 (2024-03-09) SP48 | HK U23 | 1–5 | Sham Shui Po | Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 79 Referee: Tang Hing Fu |
23 March 2024 (2024-03-23) SP49 | Sham Shui Po | 0–5 | Eastern | Aberdeen Sports Ground |
15:00 | Report |
| Attendance: 245 Referee: Cheung Wai Lung |
Group B
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kitchee | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 14 | +12 | 16 | Advance to Semi-finals |
2 | Rangers | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 18 | +4 | 15 | |
3 | North District | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 12 | +3 | 14 | |
4 | Resources Capital | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 24 | −14 | 5[a] | |
5 | Lee Man | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 17 | −5 | 5[a] |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Goal difference; 5) Goals scored.
Notes:
- ^ a b Head-to-head points: Resources Capital 4, Lee Man 1.
30 September 2023 (2023-09-30) SP01 | Kitchee | 6–2 | Resources Capital | Mong Kok Stadium |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 602 Referee: Liu Kwok Man |
14 October 2023 (2023-10-14) SP02 | Lee Man | 1–1 | North District | Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 486 Referee: Tang Hing Fu |
14 October 2023 (2023-10-14) SP03 | Kitchee | 2–3 | Rangers | Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground |
18:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 486 Referee: Wong Wai Lun |
18 November 2023 (2023-11-18) SP07 | Lee Man | 1–4 | Kitchee | Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 638 Referee: Wong Wai Lun |
19 November 2023 (2023-11-19) SP09 | Resources Capital | 1–5 | North District | Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 275 Referee: Cheung Wai Lung |
16 December 2023 (2023-12-16) SP15 | Lee Man | 3–4 | Rangers | Kowloon Bay Park |
15:00 |
| Report | Attendance: 317 Referee: Woo Chun Sing |
23 December 2023 (2023-12-23) SP16 | Resources Capital | 2–1 | Lee Man | Kowloon Bay Park |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 207 Referee: Luk Kin Sun |
23 December 2023 (2023-12-23) SP17 | Rangers | 4–4 | Kitchee | Mong Kok Stadium |
15:00 | Report |
| Attendance: 638 Referee: Liu Kwok Man |
7 January 2024 (2024-01-07) SP24 | Rangers | 3–2 | Resources Capital | Kowloon Bay Park |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 222 Referee: Cheung Wai Lung |
7 January 2024 (2024-01-07) SP25 | North District | 3–1 | Lee Man | North District Sports Ground |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 469 Referee: Tam Ping Wun |
13 January 2024 (2024-01-13) SP28 | North District | 1–1 | Rangers | Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground |
15:00 |
| Report | Attendance: 369 Referee: Yu Kin Fung |
13 January 2024 (2024-01-13) SP29 | Resources Capital | 0–5 | Kitchee | Kowloon Bay Park |
15:00 | Report | Attendance: 268 Referee: Luk Kin Sun |
20 January 2024 (2024-01-20) SP33 | Rangers | 0–4 | Lee Man | Aberdeen Sports Ground |
15:00 | Report | Attendance: 189 Referee: Liu Kwok Man |
20 January 2024 (2024-01-20) SP34 | Kitchee | 1–3 | North District | Kowloon Bay Park |
15:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 293 Referee: Tam Ping Wun |
24 January 2024 (2024-01-24) SP38 | North District | 2–1 | Resources Capital | Kowloon Bay Park |
20:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 191 Referee: Wong Po Sing |
28 January 2024 (2024-01-28) SP40 | Rangers | 5–0 | North District | Kowloon Bay Park |
15:00 |
| Report | Attendance: 229 Referee: Tam Ping Wun |
28 January 2024 (2024-01-28) SP41 | Lee Man | 0–0 | Resources Capital | Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground |
15:00 | Report | Attendance: 227 Referee: Law Bik Chi |
21 February 2024 (2024-02-21) SP44 | North District | 0–1 | Kitchee | Mong Kok Stadium |
20:00 | Report |
| Attendance: 423 Referee: Luk Kin Sun |
9 March 2024 (2024-03-09) SP47 | Resources Capital | 2–2 | Rangers | Aberdeen Sports Ground |
15:00 |
| Report | Attendance: 109 Referee: Cheung Wai Lung |
24 March 2024 (2024-03-24) SP50 | Kitchee | 3–1 | Lee Man | Mong Kok Stadium |
15:00 | Report |
| Attendance: 1,015 Referee: Yu Kin Fung |
Semi-finals
3 April 2024 (2024-04-03) SP51 | Kitchee | 4–3 | Tai Po | Mong Kok Stadium |
20:00 |
| Report |
| Attendance: 1,153 Referee: Wong Wai Lun |
10 April 2024 (2024-04-10) SP52 | Southern | 0–2 | Rangers | Mong Kok Stadium |
20:00 | Report |
| Attendance: 1,006 Referee: Luk Kin Sun |
Final
15 May 2024 (2024-05-15) SP53 | Rangers | 1–0 | Kitchee | Mong Kok Stadium |
15:00 | Ibrahim ![]() | Report | Attendance: 3,769 Referee: Liu Kwok Man |
Top scorers
- As of 15 May 2024
Rank | Player | Club | Goals[2] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | Eastern | 7 |
![]() | Sham Shui Po | ||
![]() | Kitchee | ||
![]() | Rangers | ||
5 | ![]() | Tai Po | 6 |
6 | ![]() | Southern | 5 |
![]() | HKFC | ||
8 | 9 players | 4 |
Awards
Best U-22 Player
Prize | Team | Winner |
---|---|---|
Best U-22 Player in Each Team[3] | Eastern | ![]() |
HKFC | ![]() | |
HK U23 | ![]() | |
Kitchee | ![]() | |
Lee Man | ![]() | |
Rangers | ![]() | |
Resources Capital | ![]() | |
Southern | ![]() | |
Tai Po | ![]() | |
Sham Shui Po | ![]() | |
Best of all U-22 Players | Rangers | ![]() |