2021–22 Hong Kong Third Division League

Hong Kong Third Division
Season2021–22
ChampionsNone
Promoted3 Sing
Kowloon Cricket Club
Sai Kung
Wing Go
RelegatedNone
Matches played100
Goals scored398 (3.98 per match)
Top goalscorerCaleb Ekwegwo (3 Sing)
22 goals
Biggest home win3 Sing 8–0 Sun Hei
(14 November 2021)
Biggest away winPegasus 0–10 3 Sing
(12 December 2021)
Highest scoringPegasus 0–10 3 Sing
(12 December 2021)

The 2021–22 Hong Kong Third Division League was the 8th season of Hong Kong Third Division since it became the fourth-tier football league in Hong Kong in 2014–15.[1] The season began on 29 September 2021.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

On 5 January 2022, the Hong Kong government announced a tightening of social distancing measures between 7 January to 20 January in order to control the Omicron outbreak.[2] Public recreation facilities, such as football pitches, were closed and members of the public were barred from gathering in groups of more than two, making it impossible for the season to continue. The Hong Kong Football Association announced on the same day that it would also postpone any scheduled matches in the successive two week period.

After the measures were extended several times in the following weeks, the government announced on 22 February that it would extend the measures until 20 April, making it nearly impossible to complete the season before most player contracts expired on 31 May.[3] The HKFA held an emergency meeting with the clubs on 25 February, after which it was determined that the remainder of the season would be cancelled.[4]

Format

Promotion and relegation were suspended during the 2020–21 season and the season was shortened to a single round-robin due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong.[5] As a result, all 16 teams from the previous season were permitted to remain during the 2021–22 season and four additional teams were approved for play.

During the 2021–22 season, the Third Division will also be played as a single round-robin.[6]

Teams

Changes from last season

To Third Division

Relegated from Premier League
New Clubs

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
1 3 Sing (P) 10 9 1 0 59 7 +52 28 Promotion to the Second Division
2 Wing Go (P) 10 9 1 0 33 7 +26 28
3 Sai Kung (P) 10 9 0 1 39 4 +35 27
4 Gospel 10 8 2 0 31 11 +20 26
5 Tsuen Wan 10 8 0 2 37 13 +24 24
6 Kowloon Cricket Club (P) 10 7 2 1 26 11 +15 23 Promotion to the Second Division
7 WSE 10 7 1 2 25 7 +18 22
8 Heng Wah (W) 10 6 0 4 9 9 0 18 Withdrew from League System
9 Tsun Tat 10 4 2 4 17 20 −3 14
10 Fukien 10 4 2 4 9 12 −3 14
11 Lung Moon 10 3 3 4 9 22 −13 12
12 City 10 3 2 5 11 18 −7 11
13 Ornament 10 3 1 6 23 29 −6 10
14 Islands 10 3 0 7 16 31 −15 9
15 Lansbury 10 2 1 7 13 26 −13 7
16 KCDRSC 10 1 3 6 8 26 −18 6
17 Kui Tan 10 1 1 8 13 34 −21 4
18 Sun Hei 10 0 2 8 7 30 −23 2
19 Pegasus 10 0 1 9 8 39 −31 1
20 Kai Bo 10 0 1 9 5 42 −37 1
Updated to match(es) played on 19 December 2021. Source: Hong Kong Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Fair-play points; 8) Drawing lots
(P) Promoted; (W) Withdrew

References

  1. ^ "Hong Kong Third Division". HKFA. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  2. ^ Ming Fai, Ngan (5 January 2022). "政府收緊防疫措施 1.16香港單車節取消". HK01. Retrieved 5 January 2022. (in Chinese)
  3. ^ Siu, Twinnie; Master, Farah (22 February 2022). "Hong Kong to enforce mass testing amid predicted surge in COVID infections". Reuters. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  4. ^ Hong Kong Football Association. "Arrangement of 2021-2022 BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League and cup matches". Hong Kong Football Association. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  5. ^ "COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong". HKFA. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Changes afoot as lower divisions look set to restart". Offside.hk. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.