Li Haiqiang

{{short description|Hong Kong footballer (born 1977)}} {{family name hatnote|[[Li (李)|Li]]|lang=Chinese}} {{use Hong Kong English|date=May 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Li Haiqiang | image = Li Haiqiang.JPG | upright = 1.2 | caption = Li in 2012 | full_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1977|5|3}} | birth_place = [[Meixian District|Meixian]], Guangdong, China | height = 1.81 m | position = [[Midfielder]] | currentclub = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = [[Guangdong Hongyuan F.C.|Guangdong Hongyuan]] | years1 = 1997–2002 | clubs1 = [[Guangdong Hongyuan F.C.|Guangdong Hongyuan]] | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 2002–2003 | clubs2 = [[Qingdao Hailifeng]] | caps2 = 34 | goals2 = 6 | years3 = 2003–2004 | clubs3 = [[Dongguan Dongcheng]] | caps3 = 25 | goals3 = 4 | years4 = 2004–2006 | clubs4 = [[Chengdu Wuniu]] | caps4 = 4 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2006–2012 | clubs5 = [[South China AA|South China]] | caps5 = 84 | goals5 = 12 | years6 = 2012–2013 | clubs6 = [[Tuen Mun SA|Tuen Mun]] | caps6 = 14 | goals6 = 1 | years7 = 2013–2014 | clubs7 = [[Eastern AA|Eastern]] | caps7 = 14 | goals7 = 2 | years8 = 2016 | clubs8 = [[Shenzhen Baoxin]] | caps8 = | goals8 = | nationalyears1 = 2008–2010 | nationalteam1 = [[Hong Kong national football team|Hong Kong]] | nationalcaps1 = 6 | nationalgoals1 = 1 | manageryears1 = 2015 | managerclubs1 = [[Shenzhen Ruby F.C.|Shenzhen FC]] (caretaker) | manageryears2 = 2017 | managerclubs2 = [[Meixian Techand]] | manageryears3 = 2019–2020 | managerclubs3 = [[Shenzhen Bogang F.C.|Shenzhen Bogang]] }}

{{Chinese | t = 李海強 | s = 李海强 | p = Lǐ Hǎiqiáng | j = Lei5 Hoi2koeng4 | vie = Lý Hải Cường }}

'''Li Haiqiang''' ({{zh|s=李海强|t=李海強}}) is a former professional [[Association football|footballer]]. He played for various professional clubs in Hong Kong, as well as the [[Hong Kong national football team|national team]] as a [[midfielder]] and is nicknamed "The Golden Left Foot" because of his brilliant free kick skills. Born in China, he represented Hong Kong internationally.

==Club career== ===South China===

====2006–07 season==== He signed for [[South China AA|South China]] in 2006. He was appointed as the captain in the second half of the season as the original captain [[Au Wai Lun]] served as a reserve player for most of the matches.

On 21 May 2007, Li Haiqiang was awarded the [[Hong Kong Footballer Awards#Hong Kong Footballer|Hong Kong Footballer of the Year]] after scoring 6 goals in the 2006–07 season.<ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2007-05/22/content_877525.htm Li Haiqiang named HK footballer of the year.] (Xinhua) Updated: 22 May 2007 08:13.</ref> It was his debut season in [[Hong Kong First Division League]] and he was the first Mainland player to receive this award in its 30-year history.

On Tuesday 24 July 2007, he played an integral part of South China's [[Barclays Asia Trophy 2007]] tournament when he scored a terrific free-kick from approximately 40-yards out against [[Liverpool Football Club|Liverpool]]. The goal embarrassed Liverpool goalkeeper [[Scott Carson]] and recalled memories of [[Ronaldinho]]'s [[2002 FIFA World Cup|World Cup 2002]] goal against [[England National Football Team|England]]. South China eventually lost the game by 3–1.

====2007–08 season==== In the [[Hong Kong First Division League 2007-08|2007–08]] season, Li scored 4 goals, and all of them came from free kicks. Li Haiqiang was named Hong Kong Footballer of the Year at the end of the season for the second year in a row, as well as being named a member of the Best Eleven.<ref>{{in lang|zh-hk}}[http://paper.wenweipo.com/2008/05/21/SP0805210012.htm 李海強蟬聯香港足球先生] Wen Wei Po. 21 May 2008.</ref>

====2008–09 season==== In the [[2009 AFC Cup]] second-round match against [[Home United FC]], Li Haiqiang scored two goals and helped South China win by 4:0 to progress to the quarter finals.<ref>{{in lang|zh-hk}}[http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/template/apple/art_main.php?iss_id=20090624&sec_id=25391&art_id=12912669 亞協盃 16強南華炒內政聯入 8強] Apple Daily. 24 June 2009.</ref> On 1 August 2009, at the Panasonic Invitation Cup against [[Tottenham Hotspur]], in the 68th minute, the referee pointed to the spot following a fairly innocuous challenge by [[Jake Livermore]] on [[Chao Pengfei]] and Li Haiqiang stepped up to chip the ball into the net, scoring the second goal which resulted in South China's 2–0 victory.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/02/tottenham-lose-to-south-china Tottenham Hotspur fall to South China defeat] The Guardian. Sunday 2 August 2009 13.42 BST</ref>

====2009–10 season==== In the [[2009 AFC Cup]] semi final second leg against [[Kuwait SC]], Li Haiqiang received a back heel pass from [[Leandro Carrijo]] and scored in the 65th minute, but was ruled off-side, causing huge uproar from the capacity crowd in the [[Hong Kong Stadium]]. South China in the end lost the tie 1–3.<ref>{{in lang|zh-hk}}[http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/template/apple/art_main.php?iss_id=20091022&sec_id=25391&art_id=13338703 紅潮坐爆大球場仍負科軍南華決賽夢碎] Apple Daily. 22 October 2009.</ref>

====2010–11 season==== In January 2011, Li Haiqiang received praise from South China's new signing [[Mateja Kežman]] after their first training session together.<ref>{{in lang|zh-hk}}[http://paper.wenweipo.com/2011/01/27/SP1101270019.htm 基士文點名讚陳七李海強] Wen Wei Po. 17 January 2011.</ref>

In the [[2011 AFC Cup]], Li Haiqiang scored the third goal for South China against [[East Bengal FC]] in the final minutes to lead the match 3:2, but the visitors were denied victory when East Bengal FC scored a late penalty and the match ended 3:3.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120120214918/http://m.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1424968.html Al Wehdat first through in AFC Cup.] FIFA.com. (PA) Wednesday 27 April 2011.</ref>

In the summer of 2011, [[Kitchee]] received permission from South China to approach Li about a transfer, but Li decided to stay with South China.<ref>{{in lang|zh-hk}}[http://www.takungpao.com/sport/top/2011-06-16/844733.html 傑志斟李海強觸礁] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324040606/http://www.takungpao.com/sport/top/2011-06-16/844733.html |date=24 March 2012 }} Ta Kung Pao. 16 June 2011.</ref>

===Tuen Mun=== In the summer of 2012, Li joined [[Tuen Mun SA|Tuen Mun]].

On 30 October 2012, due to the divestment of Tuen Mun president [[Chan Keung]], various key players, including Li, and the whole coaching team were released by the club.<ref name="teamcrises">{{Cite news|url=http://news.on.cc/cnt/sport/20121030/bkn-20121030211301558-1030_00882_001.html|title=會長陳強突退出屯門足球隊逢巨變|date=30 October 2012|newspaper=Oriental Daily Hong Kong|archive-date=4 October 2015|access-date=30 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004184755/http://news.on.cc/cnt/sport/20121030/bkn-20121030211301558-1030_00882_001.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==International career== In 1999, Li was called up to the [[China national football team|Chinese national football team]]'s squad, but he did not play in any matches.

After spending two seasons in Hong Kong, Li qualified to play for [[Hong Kong national football team]]. On 19 November 2008, Li made his international debut for [[Hong Kong national football team|Hong Kong]] in a friendly match against [[Macau national football team|Macau]].

Li took part as captain in Round 2 of the [[2010 East Asian Football Championship]] tournament, held in [[Kaohsiung]], [[Taiwan]], helping Hong Kong qualify for the final tournament for the first time since 2003, when North Korea withdrew.

On 4 October 2010, Li scored with a left-foot volley to help Hong Kong win a friendly by 1-0 against [[India national football team|India]].<ref>{{in lang|zh-hk}}[http://www.takungpao.com/sport/top/2010-10-05/413323.html 李海強助港足擒印度] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324040646/http://www.takungpao.com/sport/top/2010-10-05/413323.html |date=24 March 2012 }} Ta Kung Pao. 5 October 2010.</ref>

In June 2011, just before the friendly against [[Malaysia national football team|Malaysia]], Li announced that he had resigned from the [[Hong Kong national football team]] in March, due to old age.<ref>{{in lang|zh-hk}}[http://www.hkdailynews.com.hk/news.php?id=161148 備戰世盃外圍賽鬥沙特港隊搵大馬作試金石] Hong Kong Daily News. June 2011.</ref>

==Career statistics== ===Club=== ''As of 11 June 2014''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="2"|[[Hong Kong First Division League|League]] !colspan="2"|[[Hong Kong Senior Shield|Senior Shield]] !colspan="2"|[[Hong Kong League Cup|League Cup]] !colspan="2"|[[Hong Kong FA Cup|FA Cup]] !colspan="2"|[[AFC Cup]] !colspan="2"|Others1 !colspan="2"|Total |- !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |- |rowspan="6" valign="center"|[[South China AA|South China]] |[[2006–07 Hong Kong First Division League|2006–07]] |18||4||4||1||4||1||3||0||-||-||-||-||29||6 |- |[[2007–08 Hong Kong First Division League|2007–08]] |16||3||2||0||5||1||2||0||-||-||-||-||25||4 |- |[[2008–09 Hong Kong First Division League|2008–09]] |11||3||0||0||1||0||3||0||7||3||-||-||22||6 |- |[[2009–10 Hong Kong First Division League|2009–10]] |14||1||3||0||-||-||1||0||10||0||-||-||27||1 |- |[[2010–11 Hong Kong First Division League|2010–11]] |11||0||3||1||2||0||2||1||2||1||-||-||20||3 |- |[[2011–12 Hong Kong First Division League|2011–12]] |14||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||-||-||-||-||14||1 |- |rowspan="1" valign="center"|[[Tuen Mun SA|Tuen Mun]] |[[2012–13 Hong Kong First Division League|2012–13]] |14||1||2||0||-||-||2||0||-||-||2||0||20||1 |- |rowspan="1" valign="center"|[[Eastern AA|Eastern]] |[[2013–14 Hong Kong First Division League|2013–14]] |14||2||3||0||-||-||1||0||-||-||0||0||18||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !112!!15!!17!!2!!12!!2!!14!!1!!19!!4!!2!!0!!176!!24 |}

1 Others include [[2012–13 Hong Kong season play-offs]].

===International=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align: left;" |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" !# !Date !Venue !Opponent !Home/Away !Result !Scored !Captain !Competition |- |1 |19 November 2008 |[[Macau UST Stadium|UST Stadium]], Macau |{{fb|Macau}} |align=center|A |align=center|9–1 |align=center|0 | |[[Friendly match|Friendly]] |- |2 |25 August 2009 |[[World Games Stadium]], [[Kaohsiung]], Taiwan |{{fb|North Korea}} |align=center|N |align=center|0–0 |align=center|0 |align=center|[[captain (association football)|(c)]] |[[2010 East Asian Football Championship#Semi-final Competition|2010 East Asian Football Championship Semi-final]] |- |3 |27 August 2009 |[[World Games Stadium]], [[Kaohsiung]], Taiwan |{{fb|Guam}} |align=center|N |align=center|12–0 |align=center|0 |align=center|[[captain (association football)|(c)]] |[[2010 East Asian Football Championship#Semi-final Competition|2010 East Asian Football Championship Semi-final]] |- |4 |18 November 2009 |[[Hong Kong Stadium]], Hong Kong |{{fb|Japan}} |align=center|H |align=center|0–4 |align=center|0 | |[[2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification]] |- |5 |7 February 2010 |[[Olympic Stadium (Tokyo)|Olympic Stadium]], Tokyo, Japan |{{fb|KOR}} |align=center|N |align=center|0–5 |align=center|0 | |[[2010 East Asian Football Championship]] |- |6 |4 October 2010 |Balewadi Stadium, [[Pune]], India |{{fb|India}} |align=center|A |align=center|1–0 |align=center|1 |align=center|[[captain (association football)|(c)]] |[[Friendly match|Friendly]] |}

==Honours== '''South China''' *[[Hong Kong First Division League]]: [[Hong Kong First Division League 2006-07|2006–07]], [[Hong Kong First Division League 2007-08|2007–08]], [[Hong Kong First Division League 2008–09|2008–09]], [[2009–10 Hong Kong First Division League|2009–10]] *[[Hong Kong Senior Shield]]: [[2006-07 Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield|2006–07]], [[2009–10 Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield|2009–10]]

'''Individual''' *[[Hong Kong Top Footballer Awards#Footballer of the Year|Hong Kong Footballer of the Year]]: 2007, 2008

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www2.hkfa.com/en/player_view.php?player_id=5723 Li Haiqiang] at [[Hong Kong Football Association|HKFA]] * [http://www.scaafc.com/template?series=3&article=19 Scaafc.com] 球員資料 – 11. 李海強 (in Chinese) * [http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/scaablog/article?mid=15&fid=5 SCAA Official Blog] 11號李海強 (Li Haiqiang) (in Chinese) * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090702190135/http://www.bma.com.hk/artists/hqli.htm BMA Football Star {{in lang|zh}}]

{{Navboxes colour |bg=gold |fg=navy |title=Awards |list1= {{Hong Kong Footballer of the Year}} {{2006–07 Hong Kong Top Footballer}} {{2007–08 Hong Kong Top Footballer}} {{2008–09 Hong Kong Top Footballer}} {{2009–10 Hong Kong Top Footballer}} }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Li, Haiqiang}} [[Category:1977 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Hakka sportspeople]] [[Category:Hong Kong people of Hakka descent]] [[Category:People from Meixian District]] [[Category:Footballers from Meizhou]] [[Category:Chinese men's footballers]] [[Category:Hong Kong men's footballers]] [[Category:Hong Kong men's international footballers]] [[Category:Men's association football midfielders]] [[Category:China League One players]] [[Category:Hong Kong First Division League players]] [[Category:Guangdong Winnerway F.C. players]] [[Category:South China AA players]] [[Category:Chengdu Tiancheng F.C. players]] [[Category:Eastern Sports Club footballers]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Hong Kong]] [[Category:Chinese expatriate sportspeople in Hong Kong]] [[Category:Shenzhen F.C. managers]] [[Category:Hong Kong football managers]] [[Category:Hong Kong League XI representative players]] [[Category:Naturalised footballers of Hong Kong]]