Tsang Kam To

Tsang Kam To (born 21 June 1989) is a former Hong Kong professional footballer who played as a full back. He has represented Hong Kong in international competitions since childhood. In 2009, he won a gold medal at the East Asian Games as a member of the Hong Kong national under-23 football team.

Tsang Kam To
Personal information
Full name Tsang Kam To
Date of birth (1989-06-21) 21 June 1989
Place of birth Hong Kong
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Full back
Youth career
2005–2006 Hong Kong 09
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2007 Hong Kong 08 13 (1)
2007–2008 Workable 17 (0)
2008–2015 Kitchee 55 (4)
2015–2020 Eastern 56 (0)
2020–2023 Lee Man 24 (0)
International career‡
2009–2011 Hong Kong U23 10 (0)
2011–2021 Hong Kong 6 (0)
Medal record
Representing  Hong Kong
East Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2009 Hong Kong Football
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 June 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 June 2021
In this Chinese name, the family name is Tsang (曾).
Tsang Kam To
Traditional Chinese曾錦濤
Simplified Chinese曾锦涛

Known for his versatility, he played as forward when he played for Hong Kong 08. He is adept at different position including wingback and winger. For the Hong Kong under-23 football team, he occasionally plays at centre-back.

Early life

Tsang Kam To was born in Hong Kong, and went to St.Patrick's Catholic Primary School in Wang Tau Hom. He has started playing football in there in his third year. He showed his talent on the school team, and he captained it in his fifth and sixth years in school.[1]

During his last year in primary school he was selected by Hong Kong Football Association to train with the Hong Kong under-14 team.[1] He had his secondary education in POH Chan Kai Memorial College, Sha Tin.[2]

Club career

Early career

Because of his early international career, he was a member of the long-term training section for 2009 East Asian Games. The Football Association signed him for the newly founded Hong Kong First Division League club "Hong Kong 08" with other members of training section for the 2008 Olympic Games because of his good performance in Hong Kong 09.[3] In his early years, he mostly played as a striker.[4] In the league match against Lanwa Redbull on 17 September 2006, the second league match of Tsang Kam To's senior career, he scored his first league goal in the 18th minute.[5] He played 18 matches and had 2 goals in 2006–07 season.[6]

After 2008 Summer Olympics qualification, Hong Kong 08 had been dissolved. Another new first division team Workable contracted former Olympics team members including Tsang Kam To.[1][4] In Workable, for his high-speed, coach Lee Kin Wo has changed his position from striker to wingback.[7] He was the regular player of the team and he played 21 matches in 2007–08 season.[8]

Kitchee
Tsang playing for Kitchee in 2012.

Tsang Kam To's performance impressed the football world of Hong Kong and he agreed a deal to sign for Kitchee in the summer of 2008.[9] He scored his first goal for Kitchee in his first appearance of the team in a league match against Xiangxue Eisiti on 28 February 2009.[10][11] He was mainly used as a substitute in the 2008–09 season since captain Leung Chi Wing, Canadian Landon Ling and Cameroonian Hugues Nanmi occupied the wingback positions of two sides. In the following season, all three wingbacks left the club but Josep Gombau, the new coach, selected centre-back Li Hang Wui for the position, leaving Tsang Kam To as a substitute for most matches.[8][12][13][14]

In the summer in 2010, Kitchee planned to loan Tsang Kam To to Tai Chung, giving him more chances to play football. However, Tsang Kam To performed wonderfully in pre-season friendly matches and manager Ken Ng cancelled the plan.[15] During the 2010–11 season, Tsang Kam To still mostly acted as a substitute of his teammates[16] but he was also used in the 2011 Canon Cup match against Villarreal.[17][18]

Because Kitchee had won the 2010–11 Hong Kong First Division League, Tsang Kam To had had a chance to participate in the 2011 Barclays Asia Trophy.[19] He started in both the semi-final match against Chelsea[20] and third place play-off against Blackburn Rovers.[21] In the third place play-off, Tsang Kam To was fouled by Martin Olsson in the penalty box and a penalty kick was awarded, though Ubay Luzardo missed the penalty.[22] Kitchee got the wooden spoon.[21][22]

On 23 October 2011, Tsang Kam To came off the substitutes bench as a winger in the 73rd minute to assist a crucial equaliser against TSW Pegasus in the 83rd minute and score inside the penalty area in the 86th minute, defeating TSW Pegasus by 3–2.[23][24] Tsang Kam To claim his sense of striker still strongly exist and he want to prove that Hong Kong footballers can feel up to be a shooter in the team.[25][26] Tsang Kam To always have training for shoot frequently to convince Josep Gombau to select him as a forward.[25][26]

Tsang Kam To had more opportunities to play in the field later. He played the Hong Kong derby winning by two goals with Kitchee in 2011–12 Hong Kong FA Cup.[27] He also played four 2012 AFC Cup group stage matches against Terengganu, Sông Lam Nghệ An and Tampines Rovers and Kitchee finally won the first place in the stage.[28][29] In the final fixture of the league, Kitchee beat Biu Chun Rangers by 4–1 and Tsang Kam To scored in the 11th minute.[30]

Although Kitchee won the 2011–12 Hong Kong League Cup and 2011–12 Hong Kong First Division League, the team was eliminated by Arema in 2012 AFC Cup round of 16. In the round of 16 game, Tsang Kam To came off the bench at half-time but he did not make any score and assist.[31]

In 2012–13 season, Tsang Kam To still was a substitute player of Kitchee in local competitions. Pleasantly, he scored in the league game against Southern District on 13 September 2012.[32] Kitchee won the FA Cup, first edition season play-off and First Division League again this season. By the way, Tsang Kam To played most of Kitchee's 2013 AFC Cup matches, against Semen Padang, Churchill Brothers and Warriors in group stage and Kelantan and Al-Faisaly in knockout stage. In the AFC Cup home match against Warriors, Tsang Kam To scored the fourth goal and Kitchee won by five.[33]

Eastern

Tsang joined Eastern in 2015 and left 5 years later on 1 June 2020 after the expiration of his contract.

Lee Man

On 2 June 2020, Lee Man announced the signing of Tsang.[34]

International career

Tsang Kam To has earned caps with all of Hong Kong's youth and senior teams for which he was eligible.[1] Hong Kong Football Association have decided to play Tsang Kam To in an age group above his age, so he was selected by the Hong Kong national under-14 football team in his last primary school year.[1] The association had planned him as a player of 2009 East Asian Games team originally and he was contracted to Hong Kong 08 later, formed for training youngsters for 2008 AFC Pre-Olympic Tournament.[3]

Tsang Kam To did not play in any matches of 2008 Pre-Olympic Tournament in 2007; the coach preferred strikers with greater strength. He left summer training section of 2009 East Asian Games team in Croatia for personal reasons, and therefore Philip Lee, general director of EAG team, criticised five absentees so conceited.[35][36]

One year later, Goran Paulić took up the head coach of EAG team, and he recalled Tsang Kam To because South China and TSW Pegasus boycotted Paulić.[36] Tsang Kam To earned his first cap of under-23 football team as a defender in 2009 Hong Kong–Macau Interport on 20 June 2009, and he was age of 19.[37]

Tsang Kam To (No.21) played final of football tournament of 2009 Esat Asian Games

Tsang Kam To was selected for 2009 East Asian Games, but he did not play group stage matches and semifinal match, for Lau Nim Yat was the first choice of right wingback.[38] Due to injury of Lau Lim Yat, Tsang Kam To was able to play final of the tournament against Japan on 12 December 2009 as first start right back and Hong Kong defeated Japan at penalty shootout finally.[36][38][39]

In 2010 Asian Games, Tsang Kam To was the regular start-up player of Hong Kong team and he played all four games of the team. Although Hong Kong knocked out in the quarter-final, head coach Tsang Wai Chung paid tribute to Tsang Kam To for his bravery.[40] In February 2011, Tsang Kam To was selected for the senior team by Tsang Wai Chung for a friendly against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.[41] He earned his first senior cap but Hong Kong lost by two goals.[42][43]

After two major under-23 events, Tsang Kam To became a leader of 2012 Pre-Olympic team. Because of a shortage of centre backs, Tsang Kam To was selected at centre-back in the Pre-Olympic team.[44] He played both the first round against Maldives and the second against Uzbekistan at the 2012 AFC Pre-Olympic Tournament and Hong Kong were eliminated in a 3–0 defeat to Uzbekistan.[45]

On 9 February 2011, Tsang made his international debut for Hong Kong in a friendly match against Malaysia.

Honours

Club
Kitchee
Eastern

International
Hong Kong U-23

Career statistics

Club
As of 27 September 2015
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
SeasonClubLeague AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Hong Kong League FA Cup & Shield LC & Play-offs Asia Total
2006–07 Hong Kong 08 Hong Kong First Division League 13[6]1[6]2[47][48]1[47][48]3[49]0[49]–182
2007–08 Workable 17[8]0[8]1[50]0[50]3[51]0[51]–210
2008–09 Kitchee 5[52]1[52]001[53]0[53]–61
2009–10 12[54]0[54]3[55][56]0[55][56]––150
2010–11 11[57]0[57]2[58]0[58]00–130
2011–12 82402050192
2012–13 101101041162
2013–14 60100080150
2014–15 Hong Kong Premier League 30201060120
2015–16 Eastern 2000000020
Total Hong Kong 8751611102311377
Career total 8751611102311377

Hong Kong U-23
As of 20 August 2011
# Date Venue Opponent Result Scored Competition
1 20 June 2009 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Macau 5–1 0 2009 Hong Kong–Macau Interport
2 12 December 2009 Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong  Japan 1–1 (4–2 PSO) 0 2009 East Asian Games
3 7 November 2010 Huadu Stadium, Guangzhou, China  United Arab Emirates 1–1 0 2010 Asian Games
4 9 November 2010 Huadu Stadium, Guangzhou, China  Uzbekistan 1–0 0 2010 Asian Games
5 11 November 2010 Huadu Stadium, Guangzhou, China  Bangladesh 4–1 0 2010 Asian Games
6 15 November 2010 Huangpu Sports Center, Guangzhou, China  Oman 0–3 0 2010 Asian Games
7[59] 24 January 2011 So Kon Po Recreation Ground, Hong Kong  Chinese Taipei 4–0 0 Friendly
8[60] 23 February 2011 Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong  Maldives 4–0 0 2012 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament
9[61] 9 March 2011 Rasmee Dhandu Stadium, Malé, Maldives  Maldives 3–0 0 2012 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament
10 12 June 2011 Xianghe Sports Center, Beijing, China  United Arab Emirates 0–2 0 Friendly
11[62] 19 June 2011 JAR Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan  Uzbekistan 0–1 0 2012 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament
12[63] 23 June 2011 Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong  Uzbekistan 0–2 0 2012 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament

Hong Kong
As of 20 August 2011
# Date Venue Opponent Result Scored Competition
1[64] 9 February 2011 Shah Alam Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  Malaysia 0–2 0 Friendly
As of matches played 15 June 2021.
National teamYearAppsGoals
Hong Kong 201110
201200
201300
201400
201500
201600
201700
201840
201900
202000
202110
Total60

References
  1. (in Chinese) 東亞運足球金牌運動員曾錦濤專訪 Part 1, YouTube, 1 March 2010
  2. (in Chinese) Alumni Association, POH Chan Kai Memorial College. Retrieved July 2010
  3. (in Chinese) 2006/2007年度香港甲組足球聯賽–球隊巡禮–香港08, Hong Kong Football Association, 28 August 2006
  4. (in Chinese) 甲組球隊巡禮(四) 華家堡, Hong Kong Football Association, 3 September 2003
  5. Match Results: Hong Kong 08 1:3 Lanwa Redbull, Hong Kong Football Association, 17 September 2006
  6. Match Results: 2006–07 Coolpoint Ventilation First Division League, Hong Kong Football Association, 29 April 2007
  7. (in Chinese) 波牛終於抬起頭, Ming Pao, 9 January 2010
  8. Match Results: 2007–08 Coolpoint Ventilation First Division League, Hong Kong Football Association, 27 April 2008
  9. (in Chinese) 傑志下屆組軍工作初見成效, Kitchee SC, 1 June 2008
  10. Match Results: Xiangxue Eisiti 0:2 Kitchee, Hong Kong Football Association, 28 February 2009
  11. (in Chinese) 傑志兩球淨勝香雪上清飲, Kitchee SC, 28 February 2009
  12. (in Chinese) 高尼路一錘定音　晨曦破傑志金身, The Sun, 16 November 2008
  13. (in Chinese) 甲足聯賽今演最強之戰 南華 傑志惡戰難免, Wen Wei Po, 16 November 2008
  14. Fixtures – 2008–09 Senior Shield, Hong Kong Football Association, 21 December 2008
  15. (in Chinese) 傑志外借八外援名單或有變, Ta Kung Pao, 17 August 2010
  16. Match Results of bma 1st Division Football League, Hong Kong Football Association, 23 May 2011
  17. Match Results: Canon Cup 2011, Hong Kong Football Association, 27 May 2011
  18. (in Spanish) El Villarreal despide la temporada en Hong Kong con un triunfo, Marca, 27 May 2011
  19. Chelsea ready for Hong Kong test, The Times of India, 25 July 2011
  20. Live: Chelsea 4 Kitchee 0, Sky Sports, 27 July 2011
  21. Mauro Formica reminds Blackburn Rovers of his worth in Asia friendly, The Guardian, 30 July 2011
  22. (in Chinese) 英超亞錦賽布力般3:0傑志, i-Cable Communications, 30 July 2011
  23. (in Chinese) bma甲組足球聯賽　傑志 3:2 天水圍飛馬, Hong Kong Football Association, 23 October 2011
  24. Match Results: bma 1st Division Football League – Kitchee 3:2 TSW Pegasus, Hong Kong Football Association, 23 October 2011
  25. (in Chinese) 曾錦濤重返鋒線做奇兵, Ming Pao, 29 October 2011
  26. (in Chinese) Sports Network – Episode 25, Hong Kong Broadband Network at YouTube, 29 October 2011
  27. (in Chinese) 不敵傑志副選 南華衛冕失敗, Wen Wei Po, 30 April 2012
  28. (in Chinese) 傑志晉級亞協盃16強, Wen Wei Po, 26 April 2012
  29. (in Chinese) 2012亞洲足協盃F組　傑志 2:2 丁加奴(馬來西亞), Hong Kong Football Association, 9 May 2012
  30. (in Chinese) 港甲戰報 傑志4:1炒流浪賀聯賽兩連霸, Now TV, 20 May 2012
  31. AFC Cup 2012 Kitchee 0:2 Arema Indonesia (IDN), Hong Kong Football Association, 23 May 2012
  32. (in Chinese) 傑志炒南區3蛋, Apple Daily, 13 September 2012
  33. Kitchee boss hails coach Gombau after 5–0 win over Warriors, South China Morning Post, 2 May 2013
  34. Yuen, Chi Ho. "足總暫定8月重開轉會窗　理文連簽兩港腳補強". HK01. Retrieved 2 June 2020. (in Chinese)
  35. (in Chinese) 港東亞集訓足隊成軍頻征戰, Ta Kung Pao, 24 May 2008
  36. (in Chinese) 足球金牌是如何煉成的？, Independent Media of Hong Kong, 14 December 2011
  37. 2009 Hong Kong–Macau Interport, Hong Kong Football Association, 20 June 2009
  38. (in Chinese) 香港 1(4:2)1 日本, U-soccer, 13 December 2011
  39. Match Results: 2009 East Asian Games Football Final, Hong Kong Football Association, 12 December 2009
  40. (in Chinese) 港隊新彗星 球會坐冷板, Ming Pao, 16 November 2010
  41. Football: Malaysia urged to play like champions, New Straits Times, 9 February 2011
  42. Malaysia beats Hong Kong 2–0, The Star, 9 February 2011
  43. Match Results: Malaysia 2:0 Hong Kong, Hong Kong Football Association, 9 February 2011
  44. (in Chinese) 港奧「鐵三角」嚴防烏軍, Sing Tao Daily, 19 June 2011
  45. (in Chinese) 港再吞兩蛋衝奧失敗, Metropolis Daily, 24 June 2011
  46. Bank of China Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards 2009 – Awardees List, Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards
  47. Fixtures – 2006–07 FA Cup, Hong Kong Football Association, 16 April 2006
  48. Fixtures – 2006–07 Senior Shield, Hong Kong Football Association, 21 January 2007
  49. Fixtures – 2006–07 League Cup, Hong Kong Football Association, 17 March 2007
  50. Fixtures – 2007–08 FA Cup, Hong Kong Football Association, 18 May 2008
  51. Fixtures – 2007–08 League Cup, Hong Kong Football Association, 24 March 2008
  52. Match Results: 2008–09 Coolpoint Ventilation First Division League, Hong Kong Football Association, 10 May 2009
  53. Fixtures – 2008–09 League Cup, Hong Kong Football Association, 4 April 2009
  54. Match Results: bma 1st Division Football League, Hong Kong Football Association, 25 May 2010
  55. Fixtures – 2009–10 FA Cup, Hong Kong Football Association, 30 May 2010
  56. Fixtures – 2009–10 Senior Shield, Hong Kong Football Association, 30 January 2010
  57. Match Results: bma 1st Division Football League, Hong Kong Football Association, 23 May 2011
  58. Fixtures – 2010–11 Senior Shield, Hong Kong Football Association, 16 January 2011
  59. (in Chinese) 香港奧運隊　友賽擊敗中華台北奧運隊, Hong Kong Football Association, 24 January 2011
  60. Hong Kong 4–0 Maldives, Asian Football Confederation, 23 February 2011
  61. Maldives 0–3 Hong Kong, Asian Football Confederation, 9 March 2011
  62. Uzbekistan 1:0 Hong Kong, Asian Football Confederation, 19 June 2011
  63. Hong Kong 0:2 Uzbekistan, Asian Football Confederation, 23 June 2011
  64. Inter'l Friendly Match: Malaysia 2:0 Hong Kong, Hong Kong Football Association, 9 February 2011
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