Lam Ka Wai

Hong Kong footballer

Lam Ka Wai
林嘉緯
Personal information
Full name Lam Ka Wai
Date of birth (1985-06-05) 5 June 1985 (age 38)
Place of birth Hong Kong
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
Rangers
Number 10
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2008 Rangers 51 (4)
2002–2003 → Double Flower (loan) 6 (0)
2003–2004 → Kitchee (loan) 14 (2)
2008–2018 Kitchee 133 (21)
2018–2020 Eastern 22 (4)
2020 R&F 1 (0)
2020– Rangers 53 (2)
International career
Hong Kong U-23
2005–2018 Hong Kong 51 (9)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 April 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 27 March 2018

Lam Ka Wai (Chinese: 林嘉緯; Jyutping: lam4 gaa1 wai5; born 5 June 1985) is a Hong Kong professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Hong Kong Premier League club Rangers.

Lam is an AFC B License holder.[1]

Club career

Early career

Lam lived away from his parents and spent his childhood years playing football. During his school life, he had showed his talent in soccer. He could complete with high school teammates while aged 15. He was studying in Concordia Lutheran School and after Form 3 he ceased his studies to pursue a football career.[2]

Lam started his football career at Yee Hope's youth academy. In 2002 he joined Rangers but was loaned to Double Flower on a monthly salary of just HKD$1,500, to train under coach Chiu Chung Man.[3] He was then loaned further to Kitchee when he was just 17.[2]

In 2004, Lam returned to Rangers and began to impress. He was selected for the Hong Kong national team in 2005 and scored on his debut. Unfortunately, he suffered a severe ankle ligament injury in 2005 and was sidelined for most of the league season.[2]

Kitchee

Lam joined Kitchee in 2008 and along with Lo Kwan Yee has been the mainstay of the club since. At Kitchee he plays as the midfield playmaker, wearing the no. 10 shirt.

In June 2010, Kitchee reported to the Hong Kong Football Association that Fourway Rangers made an illegal approach to his services.[4]

On 29 July 2013, Lam played against Manchester United. He dribbled past Manchester United star midfielder Michael Carrick before unleashing a wonder shot past Ben Amos. He also gave an assist to Alex that tore open Manchester United's defence.

2010–11 season

In the 2010–11 Hong Kong First Division League season, Lam scored 9 goals and was a key member of the team that overcame South China by one point to win the league title. This was the first title for Kitchee in 47 years, gaining the club the rights to play in the 2011 Barclays Asia Trophy and 2012 AFC Cup.

Lam's contribution included two goals against South China on 11 December 2010 to help Kitchee claim an important 4–3 away win.[5] He scored two more in the 7–0 victory over Tai Chung on 1 May 2011.[6]

Fibula fracture

After the season ended, Lam played in a local soccer game without Kitchee's consent and fractured his fibula, making him unable to play for either Hong Kong in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification matches or for Kitchee in the 2011 Barclays Asia Trophy. For this reason, Kitchee stripped him of his vice-captaincy.[7]

2011–12 season

On 19 April 2012, Lam received the Most Valuable Player for March 2012 award from the Hong Kong Sports Press Association, after helping the club win the 2011–12 Hong Kong League Cup.[8]

2013–14 season

On 29 July 2013, in an exhibition match against English Premier League giants Manchester United at the Hong Kong Stadium, Lam scored by curling the ball into the top corner from outside the box on 53 minutes, giving reserve United keeper Ben Amos no chance. But Kitchee lost the match 2–5.[9]

2016–17 season

On 25 January 2017, Lam scored a last-minute winner versus Hà Nội to lift Kitchee to victory in their 2017 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off match.[10]

2017–18 season

On 26 May 2018, Lam made his final appearance for Kitchee as the club won the 2017–18 Hong Kong FA Cup.[11]

Eastern

After over a decade at Kitchee, Lam signed with fellow Hong Kong Premier League club Eastern on 1 July 2018.[12]

R&F

On 13 January 2020, Lam terminated his contract with Eastern and signed with rivals R&F.[13] The contract is for a half year, with a clause for an automatic extension after seven league appearances.[14]

However, after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong in 2020, the 2019–20 season was suspended before he could trigger an extension. Thus, on 6 June 2020, Lam revealed that R&F had declined to renew his contract at the club.[15]

Rangers

On 10 September 2020, Rangers' Director of Football Philip Lee declared that Lam would return to the club as a player and a youth team coach.[16] He added that Lam would sign a one year contract and be given the captain's armband.[17]

On 6 April 2024, Lam announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the 2023–24 season.[18]

International career

Lam playing for Hong Kong against UAE on 15 October 2013.

On 5 March 2005, Lam made his international debut for Hong Kong in the Preliminary Competition of 2005 East Asian Football Championship against Mongolia.

On 1 June 2012, Lam scored the only goal in Hong Kong's friendly win against Singapore at the Hong Kong Stadium.[19]

Honours

Club

Kitchee

Career statistics

Club

As of 6 December 2006

Club Season League League Cup Senior Shield FA Cup AFC Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Double Flower (loan) 2002–03 ? ? ? ? ? 0 ? 0 ? ?
Total 0 0
Kitchee (loan) 2003–04 ? 3 ? 1 ? 1 ? 0 ? 5
Total 3 1 1 0 5
Rangers 2004–05 ? 2 ? 1 1 0 1 0 ? 3
2005–06 9 0 3 1 0 0 1 0 13 1
2006–07 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Total 2 2 1 0 2 0 ? 4
Career Total 1 0

International

As of 27 March 2018
National team Year Apps Goals
Hong Kong 2005 4 2
2006 0 0
2007 4 1
2008 0 0
2009 1 0
2010 1 0
2011 2 0
2012 6 1
2013 5 0
2014 7 3
2015 10 2
2016 6 0
2017 4 0
2018 1 0
Total 51 9
# Date Venue Opponent Result Scored Competition
1 5 March 2005 Chungshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan  Mongolia 6–0 1 2005 EAFF Championship Preliminary
2 7 March 2005 Chungshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan  Guam 15–0 0 2005 EAFF Championship Preliminary
3 11 March 2005 Chungshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan  Chinese Taipei 5–0 1 2005 EAFF Championship Preliminary
4 13 March 2005 Chungshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan  North Korea 0–2 0 2005 EAFF Championship Preliminary
5 21 October 2007 Gianyar Stadium, Gianyar, Indonesia  East Timor 3–2 0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
6 28 October 2007 Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong  East Timor 8–1 1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
7 10 November 2007 Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong  Turkmenistan 0–0 0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
8 18 November 2007 Olympic Stadium, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan  Turkmenistan 0–3 0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
9 9 October 2009 Outsourcing Stadium, Shizuoka, Japan  Japan 0–6 0 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification
10 17 November 2010 Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong  Paraguay 0–7 0 Friendly
11 9 February 2011 Shah Alam Stadium, Kuala Lumpur  Malaysia 0–2 0 Friendly
12 3 June 2011 Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground, Hong Kong  Malaysia 1–1 0 Friendly
13 29 February 2012 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Chinese Taipei 5–1 0 Friendly
14 1 June 2012 Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong  Singapore 1–0 1 Friendly
15 10 June 2012 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Vietnam 1–2 0 Friendly
16 18 August 2012 Jurong West Stadium, Singapore  Singapore 0–2 0 Friendly
17 16 October 2012 Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Kowloon  Malaysia 0–3 0 Friendly
18 14 November 2012 Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam, Malaysia  Malaysia 1–1 0 Friendly
19 22 March 2013 Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong  Vietnam 1–0 0 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
20 4 June 2013 Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong  Philippines 0–1 0 Friendly
6 September 2013 Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar  Myanmar 0–0 0 Friendly
21 10 September 2013 Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong  Singapore 1–0 0 Friendly
22 15 October 2013 Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong  United Arab Emirates 0–4 0 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
23 19 November 2013 Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong  Uzbekistan 0–2 0 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
24 5 March 2014 Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam  Vietnam 1–3 1 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
25 6 September 2014 Lạch Tray Stadium, Hai Phong, Vietnam  Vietnam 1–3 1 Friendly
26 9 September 2014 Hougang Stadium, Hougang, Singapore  Singapore 0–0 0 Friendly
27 10 October 2014 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Singapore 2–1 0 Friendly
28 14 October 2014 Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong  Argentina 0–7 0 Friendly
29 16 November 2014 Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan  Chinese Taipei 1–0 1 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup preliminary round 2
30 19 November 2014 Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan  Guam 0–0 0 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup preliminary round 2
31 28 March 2015 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Guam 1–0 0 Friendly
32 6 June 2015 Shah Alam Stadium, Selangor, Malaysia  Malaysia 0–0 0 Friendly
33 11 June 2015 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Bhutan 7–0 1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round
34 16 June 2015 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Maldives 2–0 1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round
35 3 September 2015 Bao'an Stadium, Shenzhen, China  China 0–0 0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round
36 8 September 2015 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Qatar 2–3 0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round
37 9 October 2015 Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand  Thailand 0–1 0 Friendly
38 13 October 2015 Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu, Bhutan  Bhutan 1–0 0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round
39 7 November 2015 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Myanmar 5–0 0 Friendly
40 12 November 2015 National Football Stadium, Malé, Maldives  Maldives 1–0 0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round
41 1 September 2016 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Cambodia 4–2 0 Friendly
42 6 October 2016 Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia  Cambodia 2–0 0 Friendly
43 11 October 2016 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Singapore 2–0 0 Friendly
44 6 November 2016 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Guam 3–2 0 EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Round 2
45 9 November 2016 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Chinese Taipei 4–2 0 EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Round 2
46 12 November 2016 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  North Korea 0–1 0 EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Round 2
47 7 June 2017 Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong  Jordan 0–0 0 Friendly
48 31 August 2017 Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore  Singapore 1–1 0 Friendly
49 5 September 2017 Hang Jebat Stadium, Malacca City, Malaysia  Malaysia 1–1 0 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round – third round
50 14 November 2017 Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong  Lebanon 0–1 0 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round – third round
51 27 March 2018 Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea  North Korea 0–2 0 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round – third round

References

  1. ^ Fai Fai. "港隊中場林嘉緯 落實重投母會標準流浪". 香港本地足球專區. Retrieved 10 September 2020. (in Chinese)
  2. ^ a b c (in Chinese)林嘉緯回到快樂的17歲 Ming Pao. (by Sina.com.hk) 21 February 2009.
  3. ^ (in Chinese)林嘉緯港隊10號仔 Oriental Daily. 10 June 2011.
  4. ^ (in Chinese)埠際賽港隊唔選少林兵 Oriental Daily. 8 June 2010.
  5. ^ (in Chinese)隊長林嘉緯建奇功 傑志險勝南華重登一哥 Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Wen Wei Po. 12 December 2010.
  6. ^ (in Chinese)7:0狂數大中傑志捧盃在望 Oriental Daily. 2 May 2011.
  7. ^ (in Chinese)足球 盧均宜林嘉緯冇得做隊長 Apple Daily. 3 August 2011.
  8. ^ (in Chinese)傑志贏公民重登榜首 Apple Daily (HK). 20 April 2012.
  9. ^ "Friendly on fire". The Standard. 30 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  10. ^ "林嘉緯加時絕殺河內 傑志亞冠外過頭關". Apple Daily. Retrieved 26 January 2017. (in Chinese)
  11. ^ 【足總盃】傑志一代功臣告退 盧均宜林嘉緯證實離隊 Sportsroad 26 May 2018
  12. ^ Chan, Ngan Ping. "東方龍獅公佈球員名單 林嘉緯 艾華頓來投". Apple Daily. Retrieved 1 July 2018. (in Chinese)
  13. ^ Yuen, Chi Ho. "林嘉緯失正選轉投富力 飛馬重簽艾華救亡". HK01. Retrieved 13 January 2020. (in Chinese)
  14. ^ "與盧均宜重逢 林嘉緯轉投富力". Sportsroad.hk. Retrieved 13 January 2020. (in Chinese)
  15. ^ "祝林嘉緯快啲搵到新球會". on.cc. Retrieved 6 June 2020. (in Chinese)
  16. ^ Fai Fai. "港隊中場林嘉緯 落實重投母會標準流浪". 香港本地足球專區. Retrieved 10 September 2020. (in Chinese)
  17. ^ "林嘉緯或返流浪 勢任隊長兼披10號戰下季港超". Ming Pao. Retrieved 10 September 2020. (in Chinese)
  18. ^ 港超聯 林嘉緯宣布季後退役:係時候退落嚟 on.cc 6 April 2024
  19. ^ (in Chinese)林嘉緯一錘定音 摩帥領港足2連勝 Wen Wei Po 2012年6月2日.

External links

  • Lam Ka Wai at Soccerway
  • Lam Ka Wai at HKFA
  • Lam Ka Wai on Instagram
  • Lam Ka Wai on Facebook
  • v
  • t
  • e
Hong Kong Rangers FC – current squad
Awards and achievement