It’s hard to believe it’s been (almost, at time of writing) a year since one of football’s finest on-pitch artists and complete mavericks made his final pass. Diego Armando Maradona, was a person who transcended the sport, and the world, not just as a football player, but a character in mainstream popular culture.
The 1982 World Cup in Spain, was his breakout moment in Europe, and arguably the world. Maradona played at his first World Cup in June of that year having recently signed for Barcelona from a cash strapped Boca Juniors, playing his first game at the Camp Nou in the blue and white of Argentina. Part of his preparations for that tournament? Playing global exhibition games to moderate sized crowds across the globe, including no less, at the Hong Kong stadium on Sunday 10 January 1982 against local top team, Seiko SA.
ON THE UP
Seiko Sports Association (SA) were flying in 1982. Riding the crest of the golden generation wave of HK professional football, Seiko were already five-time First Division champions, in the midst of chasing their sixth when Maradona and co rolled up into town.
Formed in 1970 and sponsored by the eponymous watch giants Seiko, they glided through Division 3 and 2 at the first attempts, playing and winning the top league in their maiden Division 1 season. With money (and glory) behind them, Seiko built themselves a glamorous reputation in Hong Kong, often playing exhibition hosts to iconic teams such as All-Star Brazil XI, Hamburger SV and Ajax. It was this reputation that led Argentine Boca Juniors to arranging a friendly with the Hong Kong powerhouse as part of their pacific trip.
Diego Maradona had signed for Boca less than 12 months before his appearance in Hong Kong. His multi million dollar transfer and contract was a financial conundrum for Boca, who embarked on a round the world exhibition tour to help pay the Diego bills.
In El Diego’s first season in the Buenos Aires club, he scored 28 goals in 40 games to help deliver the league title for Boca. Already a burgeoning talent, this breakout season was raising European eyebrows and interest even higher, so Boca set about getting more eyes on their prize by generating some global hype in the hope (guarantee) of increasing the value of their main asset. They set out on their 1982 tour starting with a 2-0 win against El Salvador in Los Angeles before heading to “Asia’s World City”.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
A curious sub-plot to the game was German striker Gerd Muller, in the twilight of his career, was lining up against the 21 year old Maradona for AS Seiko. A testament to the strength and allure of HK football’s golden era as well as a passing of the guard of World Cup stardom.
A largely uneventful game resulted in a 2-0 win for Boca, along with a “for bants” penalty shoot out. Maradona stood out despite not making it onto the scoresheet, and the 27,380 fans watching were left enchanted by the ability on show. Perhaps they didn’t realise the magnitude at the time, but they were witness to the development of one of the greatest on-pitch artists the game has ever produced. You can see the highlights from the Boca Juniors archives below.
LEGACY
Maradona, AS Seiko and the wider Hong Kong football ecosystem continued to share similar fortunes before their coincidental demise. Success continued on all fronts; exploded even, for a further four years. Seiko went on to win seven championships on the bounce and in 1986 Maradona lifted football’s greatest prize as Argentina captain.
Then the downfall began. Succumbing to the trappings of mega-fame, money and vice, Maradona began his downward spiral after the World Cup win.
And Seiko? Despite a 29 trophy haul in only 16 years, 1986 brought strife and they withdrew from the league in protest of the Hong Kong FA’s introduction of strict rules regarding foreign players. Seiko folded, the league diminished in quality, and has arguably never really recovered.
Whilst Diego Armando Maradona’s time in Hong Kong was fleeting, it proved quite profound. In true Maradona style, it would be remiss to pass up the opportunity to enjoy the extra-curricular post-game frivolities (read: megasmash). After the game, he, along with a couple of teammates and former Seiko player and HK football icon Derek Currie, headed into the bright lights and dark streets of Wan Chai. A quiet couple of pints at the Bull & Bear on Jaffe Road, which today’s readers may recognise as The Wanch, was the order of the day.
Rumour has it that there was a livelier venue that Diego had in mind. With some local knowledge at hand, he took up the opportunity to venture elsewhere and, like many have over the years, faded into the Hong Kong night.
Maradona will remain inextricably linked to the rise & fall of Hong Kong football, and a piece of Hong Kong forever etched into the fabric of one of football’s most notorious and creative characters.
FC KOWLOON 