New Guangdong R&F team to play in HK Premier League

Guangzhou R&F players pose for a photo during a press conference on Sept 4, 2016. [Qiu Quanlin/China Daily]

Chinese Super League club Guangzhou R&F organized a team of young players to compete in the neighboring Hong Kong Premier League, the club announced on Sunday.

The team will include young players born from 1993-98, eight Hong Kong-based players and some substitutes of the CSL side.

"Participation in the Hong Kong tournament is aimed at strengthening exchange between the two cities and developing more young players," said Huang Shenghua, vice president of the Guangzhou R&F.

The club's second-tier squad, with players born from 1993-98, claimed the soccer championship during last year's Guangdong Provincial Games.

"They need more chances to play in a top league," Huang said.

The Hong Kong Premier League currently includes 11 teams, with 110 matches to be held in the 2016-17 season.

The R&F young squad is coached by Li Zhihai, a former key player with the Guangzhou club.

"We hope to become one of the top six teams in the Hong Kong league this season. And we will include more young players both from Guangzhou and Hong Kong," Li said.