2023–24 Hong Kong Sapling Cup

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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.

2023–24 JC Sapling Cup
Tournament details
CountryHong Kong
Dates30 September 2023 – 15 May 2024
Teams11
Defending championsSouthern
Final positions
ChampionsRangers
Runner-upKitchee
Tournament statistics
Matches played53
Goals scored209 (3.94 per match)
Attendance21,288 (402 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Noah Baffoe
Ismael Dunga
Mikael
Nassam Ibrahim
(7 goals each)

All statistics correct as of 15 May 2024.

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

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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

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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

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Group stage

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Group A

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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
Updated to match(es) played on 23 March 2024. Source: HKFA
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
  • Luizinho   12'
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
  • Marcão   17'
  • Luizinho   24'
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
  • Almazan   81'
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

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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]
Updated to match(es) played on 24 March 2024. Source: HKFA
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Goal difference; 5) Goals scored.
Notes:
  1. ^ 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
  • Lui Cheuk Kan   62'
  • Ki Sze Ho   64'
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
  • Paulinho   22'
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
  • Ho Sze Chit   3'
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
  • Leung Hoi Chun   13'
  • Ibrahim   26' (pen.)
  • Chiu Ching Yu   90+2'
  • Kanda   90+3'
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
  • Lee Ching   5'
  • Chiu Wan Chun   29'
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
  • Paulinho   24'
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
  • Matheus   8'
  • Kendy   81', 90+3'
Attendance: 293
Referee: Tam Ping Wun
24 January 2024 (2024-01-24) SP38 North District 2–1 Resources Capital Kowloon Bay Park
20:00
  • Matheus   55', 75'
Report
  • Lee Yoon-kwon   65'
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

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3 April 2024 (2024-04-03) SP51 Kitchee 4–3Tai PoMong Kok Stadium
20:00
Report
  • Lucas   6', 84'
  • Renner   45+7'
Attendance: 1,153
Referee: Wong Wai Lun
10 April 2024 (2024-04-10) SP52Southern0–2 Rangers Mong Kok Stadium
20:00 Report
Attendance: 1,006
Referee: Luk Kin Sun

Final

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15 May 2024 (2024-05-15) SP53 Rangers 1–0KitcheeMong Kok Stadium
15:00 Ibrahim   40' Report Attendance: 3,769
Referee: Liu Kwok Man

Top scorers

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As of 15 May 2024
Rank Player Club Goals[2]
1   Noah Baffoe Eastern 7
  Ismael Dunga Sham Shui Po
  Mikael Kitchee
  Nassam Ibrahim Rangers
5   Lucas Tai Po 6
6   Mahama Awal Southern 5
  Léo HKFC
8 9 players 4

Awards

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Best U-22 Player

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Prize Team Winner
Best U-22 Player in Each Team[3] Eastern   Ma Hei Wai
HKFC   Lee Chun Yin
HK U23   Lee Lok Him
Kitchee   Chan Shinichi
Lee Man   Poon Sheung Hei
Rangers   Chiu Ching Yu
Resources Capital   Pong Cheuk Hei
Southern   Ng Wai Him
Tai Po   Wong Hin Sum
Sham Shui Po   Chang Kwong Yin
Best of all U-22 Players Rangers   Chiu Ching Yu

References

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  1. ^ "馬會冠名贊助菁英盃 10支港超球會均獲獎金鼓勵". Football Weekly HK. 17 January 2023.
  2. ^ [1] HKFA 30 September 2023
  3. ^ 袁志浩 (2024-05-06). "菁英盃︱盧均宜林嘉緯將演告別戰 勸觀眾入場:看我們的最後一次". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 2024-05-07.