Quick Facts
AriesBiography
Yapp Hung Fai (Chinese: 葉鴻輝; Jyutping: jip hung fai, Cantonese pronunciation: [jìːp̚.hȍŋ.fɐ́i]; born 21 March 1990) is a Hong Kong professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Hong Kong Premier League club Eastern. He currently keeps the record for being the most capped player of the Hong Kong national football team, with 76 caps in total.
Biography
Born in a Hakka family, Yapp finished his studies at Form 5 level. He was accepted by Queen's College Old Boys Association Secondary School for Form 6 but he gave it up to pursue his football dream. He had already represented Hong Kong at under-17 level.
Workable
Yapp Hung Fai started his professional career at Workable when he was only 17 under coach Lee Kin Wo and Chan Hiu Ming in 2007. His salary was only HK$5,000. During his time at Workable FC, he helped the team to an unexpected 1:0 win against South China AA in the 2007-08 Hong Kong League Cup.
Eastern
After Workable FC was relegated at the end of the 2007–08 season, Yapp followed Lee Kin Wo and Chan Hiu Ming to Eastern. But the club did not achieve good results and decided to return to the Hong Kong Third Division League at the end of the season.
Pegasus
Yapp Hung Fai moved to Pegasus in 2009. After helping the club beat Citizen AA 2:1 to win the 2009-10 Hong Kong FA Cup and qualify for the 2011 AFC Cup, Yapp Hung Fai announced that he will join league champions South China AA along with teammate Lau Nim Yat. Yapp said he decided to join South China before the game and South China's Hong Kong location will be easier for him to attend school. He is also not worried about competing with Zhang Chunhui for the starting goalkeeper place.
South China
In 2010, Yapp Hung Fai moved to Hong Kong First Division League champions South China AA. On 29 September 2010, during Tottenham Hotspur's chief scout Ian Broomfield's visit to South China, he praised Yapp for his enormous potential. "This goalkeeper is not tall, but his reactions are sharp and he is quick to come out of the box to block strikers. He is also very committed and very well disciplined."
After defeating East Bengal in the 2011 AFC Cup game at home on 14 April 2011, South China striker Mateja Kezman suggested that Yapp Hung Fai has what it takes to play in European football leagues.
During the summer of 2013, Yapp had agreed to a 4.5 year contract with Guizhou Renhe. However, his registration was denied by the Chinese Football Association on the grounds that Yapp did not qualify as a domestic player and as such, would violate the Chinese Super League stipulations which require all keepers to be domestic players.
Second spell with Eastern
In June 2014, Yapp returned to Eastern after his contract with South China expired.
International
Hong Kong U23
On 12 December 2009, Hong Kong played in the football final of the 2009 East Asian Games. The game ended 1:1 after extra time. In the penalty shoot-out, Yapp Hung Fai saved from Shohei Otsuka before Japanese defender Daisuke Suzuki sent his effort wide. Hong Kong eventually won the penalty shoot out 4:3 and took the gold medal. Yapp Hung Fai's performance was widely applauded in the territory and he was nicknamed 英雄輝 (Hero Fai) by the public.
Yapp Hung Fai took part in the 2010 Asian Games for Hong Kong U23. Hong Kong advanced to the knock-out stage for the first time in 52 years after wins over Uzbekistan and Bangladesh and a draw with United Arab Emirates. In the knock-out stage Hong Kong was defeated by Oman 0:3 with Yapp Hung Fai saving a penalty to prevent another goal.
In the 2012 London Olympics Asian qualification tie against Uzbekistan, Yapp Hung Fai saved a penalty in the away game to prevent Hong Kong U23 losing 0:2. In the end, Hong Kong lost the tie 0:3 on aggregate.
On 10 August 2011, Hong Kong Football Association announced its squad for the 2013 East Asian Games football tournament. Only Yapp Hung Fai remains from the original gold medal winning 2009 squad.
Hong Kong
On 11 February 2010, at the age of 19, Yapp made his senior debut in a 2010 East Asian Football Championship match against Japan.
In 2011, Yapp took part in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification matches for Hong Kong against Saudi Arabia. Hong Kong lost the tie 0:8.
In the 2012 Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup, the first match at Hong Kong Stadium ended 2–2. After the second match ended as 0–0 in Huizhou Stadium, Yapp Hung-Fai saved 3 penalties in the penalty shoot-out to help Hong Kong win by 5–4. He is once again hailed as Hong Kong's cup winning hero.
On 10 September 2019, Hong Kong faced Iran in a match of 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification. Yapp got his 71st cap for the national team with FIFA "A" international match, making him be the most capped player of the team.
Honours
Club
- South China
- Hong Kong First Division: 2012–13
- Hong Kong Senior Shield: 2013–14
- Hong Kong FA Cup: 2010–11
- Hong Kong League Cup: 2010–11
- Pegasus
- Hong Kong FA Cup: 2009–10
- Eastern
- Hong Kong Premier League: 2015–16
- Hong Kong Senior Shield: 2014–15, 2015–16
Country
- Hong Kong
- Long Teng Cup (2): 2010, 2011
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup (2): 2012, 2013
- Hong Kong U-23
- East Asian Games (1): 2009: Gold
Individual
- East Asian Games Best Goalkeeper (1): 2009
- Hong Kong Best Youth Player (2): 2010, 2013
- Hong Kong First Division Team of the Year (4) : 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
- Hong Kong Premier League Team of the Year (4) : 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
- Hong Kong Footballer of the Year: 2016
Statistics
Club career
As of 31 May 2013 (CLEAN SHEETS NOT UPDATED)
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Asia | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | G.C. | C.S. | Apps | G.C. | C.S. | Apps | G.C. | C.S. | Apps | G.C. | C.S. | ||
| Workable | 2007–08 | 13 | 20 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 2 | – | – | – | 19 | 25 | 7 |
| Workable Total | 13 | 20 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 25 | 7 | |
| Eastern | 2008–09 | 21 | 22 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 1 | 31 | 40 | 13 |
| Eastern Total | 21 | 22 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 1 | 31 | 40 | 13 | |
| Pegasus | 2009–10 | 17 | 17 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 0 | – | – | – | 22 | 25 | 6 |
| TSW Pegasus Total | 17 | 17 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 25 | 6 | |
| South China | 2010–11 | 10 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 1 | 23 | 35 | 4 |
| 2011–12 | 17 | 17 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 1 | – | – | – | 24 | 30 | 9 | |
| 2012–13 | 17 | 18 | 2 | 9 | 7 | – | – | – | – | 26 | 25 | 2 | |
| South China Total | 44 | 47 | 12 | 23 | 29 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 1 | 78 | 95 | 15 | |
| Career Total | 65 | 106 | 34 | 38 | 47 | 5 | 12 | 27 | 2 | 145 | 180 | 41 | |
Overview
| Hong Kong national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 |
| 2011 | 5 | 0 |
| 2012 | 10 | 0 |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 |
| 2014 | 8 | 0 |
| 2015 | 11 | 0 |
| 2016 | 8 | 0 |
| 2017 | 8 | 0 |
| 2018 | 6 | 0 |
| 2019 | 8 | 0 |
| Total | 76 | 0 |
Hong Kong
- As of 18 December 2019
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Conceded | Captain | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 February 2010 | National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan |  Japan | 0–3 | -3 | 2010 East Asian Football Championship | |
| 2 | 14 February 2010 | National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan |  China PR | 0–2 | -2 | 2010 East Asian Football Championship | |
| 3 | 3 March 2010 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong |  Yemen | 0–0 | 0 | 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification | |
| 4 | 9 October 2010 | Kaohsiung National Stadium, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |  Philippines | 4–2 | -2 | 2010 Long Teng Cup | |
| 5 | 12 October 2010 | Kaohsiung National Stadium, Kaohsiung, Taiwan |  Chinese Taipei | 1–1 | -1 | 2010 Long Teng Cup | |
| 6 | 9 February 2011 | Shah Alam Stadium, Kuala Lumpur |  Malaysia | 0–2 | -2 | Friendly | |
| 7 | 23 July 2011 | Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam, Saudi Arabia |  Saudi Arabia | 0–3 | -3 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 8 | 28 July 2011 | Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground, Hong Kong | Saudi Arabia | 0–5 | -5 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 9 | 30 September 2011 | Kaohsiung National Stadium, Kaohsiung, Taiwan | Philippines | 3–3 | -3 | 2011 Long Teng Cup | |
| 10 | 4 October 2011 | Kaohsiung National Stadium, Kaohsiung, Taiwan | Chinese Taipei | 6–0 | 0 | 2011 Long Teng Cup | |
| 11 | 29 February 2012 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Chinese Taipei | 5–1 | -1 | Friendly | |
| 12 | 1 June 2012 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong |  Singapore | 1–0 | 0 | Friendly | |
| 13 | 10 June 2012 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong |  Vietnam | 1–2 | -2 | Friendly | |
| 14 | 15 August 2012 | Jurong West Stadium, Jurong West, Singapore | Singapore | 0–2 | -2 | Friendly | |
| 15 | 16 October 2012 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Malaysia | 0–3 | -3 | Friendly | |
| 16 | 14 November 2012 | Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam, Malaysia | Malaysia | 1–1 | -1 | Friendly | |
| 17 | 1 December 2012 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong |  Guam | 2–1 | -1 | 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup Preliminary Competition Round 2 | |
| 18 | 3 December 2012 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong |  Australia | 0–1 | -1 | 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup Preliminary Competition Round 2 | |
| 19 | 7 December 2012 | Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong | Chinese Taipei | 2–0 | 0 | 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup Preliminary Competition Round 2 | |
| 20 | 9 December 2012 | Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong |  North Korea | 0–4 | -4 | 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup Preliminary Competition Round 2 | |
| 21 | 6 February 2013 | Pakhtakor Stadium, Uzbekistan |  Uzbekistan | 0–0 | 0 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification | |
| 22 | 22 March 2013 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Vietnam | 1–0 | 0 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification | |
| 23 | 4 June 2013 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Philippines | 0–1 | -1 | Friendly | |
| 24 | 10 September 2013 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Singapore | 1–0 | 0 | Friendly | |
| 25 | 15 October 2013 | Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong |  United Arab Emirates | 0–4 | -4 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification | |
| 26 | 15 November 2013 | Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | United Arab Emirates | 0–4 | -4 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification | |
| 27 | 19 November 2013 | Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong | Uzbekistan | 0–2 | -2 | (c) | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 28 | 5 March 2014 | My Dinh National Stadium, Từ Liêm District, Hanoi, Vietnam | Vietnam | 1–3 | -3 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification | |
| 29 | 6 September 2014 | Lach Tray Stadium, Hai Phong, Vietnam | Vietnam | 1–3 | -3 | Friendly | |
| 30 | 9 September 2014 | Hougang Stadium, Singapore | Singapore | 0-0 | 0 | Friendly | |
| 31 | 10 October 2014 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Singapore | 2-1 | -1 | Friendly | |
| 32 | 14 October 2014 | Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong |  Argentina | 0–7 | -7 | Friendly | |
| 33 | 13 November 2014 | Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan | North Korea | 1–2 | -2 | (c) | 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup preliminary round 2 |
| 34 | 16 November 2014 | Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan | Chinese Taipei | 1–0 | 0 | (c) | 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup preliminary round 2 |
| 35 | 19 November 2014 | Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan | Guam | 0–0 | 0 | (c) | 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup preliminary round 2 |
| 36 | 28 March 2015 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Guam | 1–0 | 0 | Friendly | |
| 37 | 6 June 2015 | Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Malaysia | 0-0 | 0 | (c) | Friendly |
| 38 | 11 June 2015 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong |  Bhutan | 7-0 | 0 | (c) | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 39 | 16 June 2015 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong |  Maldives | 2-0 | 0 | (c) | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 40 | 4 September 2015 | Bao'an Stadium, Shenzhen, China | China PR | 0-0 | 0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 41 | 8 September 2015 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong |  Qatar | 2-3 | -3 | (c) | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 42 | 8 October 2015 | Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand |  Thailand | 0-1 | -1 | (c) | Friendly |
| 43 | 13 October 2015 | Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu, Bhutan | Bhutan | 1-0 | 0 | (c) | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 44 | 7 November 2015 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong |  Myanmar | 5-0 | 0 | (c) | Friendly |
| 45 | 12 November 2015 | National Football Stadium, Male, Maldives | Maldives | 1-0 | 0 | (c) | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 46 | 17 November 2015 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | China PR | 0-0 | 0 | (c) | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 47 | 24 March 2016 | Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar | Qatar | 0-2 | -2 | (c) | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 48 | 3 June 2016 | Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar | Vietnam | 2-2 | 0 | 2016 AYA Bank Cup | |
| 49 | 1 September 2016 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong |  Cambodia | 4-2 | -2 | (c) | Friendly |
| 50 | 6 October 2016 | Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Cambodia | 2–0 | 0 | (c) | Friendly |
| 51 | 11 October 2016 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Singapore | 2–0 | 0 | (c) | Friendly |
| 52 | 6 November 2016 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Guam | 3–2 | -2 | (c) | EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Round 2 |
| 53 | 9 November 2016 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Chinese Taipei | 4–2 | -2 | (c) | EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Round 2 |
| 54 | 12 November 2016 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | North Korea | 0–1 | -1 | (c) | EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Round 2 |
| 55 | 28 March 2017 | Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon |  Lebanon | 0–2 | -2 | (c) | 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round - Third Round |
| 56 | 7 June 2017 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong |  Jordan | 0–0 | 0 | (c) | Friendly |
| 57 | 13 June 2017 | Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong | North Korea | 1–1 | -1 | (c) | 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round - Third Round |
| 58 | 5 September 2017 | Hang Jebat Stadium, Malacca City, Malaysia | Malaysia | 1–1 | -1 | (c) | 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round - Third Round |
| 59 | 5 October 2017 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong |  Laos | 4–0 | 0 | (c) | Friendly |
| 60 | 10 October 2017 | Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong | Malaysia | 2–0 | 0 | (c) | 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round - Third Round |
| 61 | 9 November 2017 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong |  Bahrain | 0–2 | -2 | (c) | Friendly |
| 62 | 14 November 2017 | Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong | Lebanon | 0–1 | -1 | (c) | 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round - Third Round |
| 63 | 27 March 2018 | Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea | North Korea | 0–2 | -2 | (c) | 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round - Third Round |
| 64 | 11 October 2018 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Thailand | 0–1 | -1 | (c) | Friendly |
| 65 | 16 October 2018 | Wibawa Mukti Stadium, Cikarang, Indonesia |  Indonesia | 1–1 | -1 | (c) | Friendly |
| 66 | 11 November 2018 | Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan | Chinese Taipei | 2–1 | -1 | 2019 EAFF E-1 Football Championship Round 2 | |
| 67 | 13 November 2018 | Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan | North Korea | 0-0 | 0 | 2019 EAFF E-1 Football Championship Round 2 | |
| 68 | 16 November 2018 | Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan |  Mongolia | 1–5 | -1 | 2019 EAFF E-1 Football Championship Round 2 | |
| 69 | 11 June 2019 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Chinese Taipei | 0–2 | -2 | Friendly | |
| 70 | 5 September 2019 | Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Cambodia | 1-1 | -1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 71 | 10 September 2019 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong |  Iran | 0-2 | -2 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 72 | 10 October 2019 | Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq |  Iraq | 0-2 | -2 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 73 | 14 November 2019 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong | Bahrain | 0-0 | 0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 74 | 19 November 2019 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong | Cambodia | 2-0 | 0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 75 | 11 December 2019 | Busan Asiad Main Stadium, Busan, South Korea |  South Korea | 0-2 | -2 | 2019 EAFF E-1 Football Championship | |
| 76 | 19 December 2019 | Busan Asiad Main Stadium, Busan, South Korea | China PR | 0-2 | -2 | 2019 EAFF E-1 Football Championship | |
| Total | -100 | 31 |
Hong Kong U23
- As of 25 September 2014
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Scored | Captain | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 December 2009 | Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground, Hong Kong | China PR | 0–1 | 0 | 2009 East Asian Games | |
| 2 | 10 December 2009 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong | North Korea | 1–1 (4–2 PSO) | 0 | 2009 East Asian Games | |
| 3 | 12 December 2009 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong | Japan | 1–1 (4–2 PSO) | 0 | 2009 East Asian Games | |
| 4 | 7 November 2010 | Huadu Stadium, Guangzhou, China | United Arab Emirates | 1–1 | 0 | 2010 Asian Games | |
| 5 | 9 November 2010 | Huadu Stadium, Guangzhou, China | Uzbekistan | 1–0 | 0 | 2010 Asian Games | |
| 6 | 11 November 2010 | Huadu Stadium, Guangzhou, China |  Bangladesh | 4–1 | 0 | 2010 Asian Games | |
| 7 | 15 November 2010 | Huangpu Sports Center, Guangzhou, China |  Oman | 0–3 | 0 | 2010 Asian Games | |
| 8 | 24 January 2011 | So Kon Po Recreation Ground, Hong Kong | Chinese Taipei | 4–0 | 0 | (c) | Friendly |
| 9 | 23 February 2011 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong | Maldives | 4–0 | 0 | (c) | 2012 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament |
| 10 | 9 March 2011 | Rasmee Dhandu Stadium, Malé, Maldives | Maldives | 3–0 | 0 | (c) | 2012 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament |
| 11 | 12 June 2011 | Xianghe Sports Center, Beijing, China | United Arab Emirates | 0–2 | 0 | (c) | Friendly |
| 12 | 19 June 2011 | JAR Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan | Uzbekistan | 0–1 | 0 | (c) | 2012 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament |
| 13 | 23 June 2011 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong | Uzbekistan | 0–2 | 0 | (c) | 2012 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament |
| 14 | 15 September 2014 | Incheon Munhak Stadium, Incheon, South Korea | Uzbekistan | 1–1 | 0 | (c) | 2014 Asian Games |
| 15 | 18 September 2014 | Ansan Wa~ Stadium, Ansan, South Korea |  Afghanistan | 2–1 | 0 | (c) | 2014 Asian Games |
| 16 | 22 September 2014 | Hwaseong Stadium, Hwaseong, South Korea | Bangladesh | 2–1 | 0 | (c) | 2014 Asian Games |
| 17 | 25 September 2014 | Goyang Stadium, Goyang, South Korea | South Korea | 0–3 | 0 | (c) | 2014 Asian Games |
Player profile
Yapp has excellent speed and reflexes, making him an ideal one-on-one goalkeeper. He has a great ability of rushing out and closing down the attacker, and can react quickly to shots. He is also an excellent penalty kick saver, having saved penalties on multiple big occasions. However, Yapp is susceptible to crosses and corner kicks due to his lack of height.