Lunar New Year Cup

Last updated
Lunar New Year Cup
Organising body HKFA
Founded1908;117 years ago (1908)
Region Hong Kong
Number of teams2
Current championsWorld Legends
Most successful club(s) Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI (7 titles)
Soccerball current event.svg 2025 Lunar New Year Cup

The Lunar New Year Cup, previously known as the Carlsberg Challenge or the Carlsberg Cup, is an annual invitational football tournament organised in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) since 1908. It is usually held on the first and the fourth day of the Lunar New Year as a part of the new year celebrations. The tournament was called the Carlsberg Cup from 1986 to 1989, from 1993 to 2006 as Carlsberg was the major sponsor of the event.

Contents

Since the 2007 edition of the event, the competition has officially been known as the "Lunar New Year Cup" by the Hong Kong Football Association. This is because Carlsberg is now no longer the major sponsor but a mere co-sponsor. During 2011 and 2012, the name of the event was changed to "Asian Challenge Cup".

History

Initially, a touring team (usually European) visited Hong Kong playing exhibition matches vs local combined. In the period before and around the Second World War, the Lunar New Year Cup was competed for by teams from Hong Kong and mainland China. Since 1950, HKFA has invited at least one overseas team to enter the competition. Before 1982, there were three exhibition matches in the tournament. The first two were usually played by the Hong Kong national football team, Hong Kong player team and Hong Kong League XI while the Chinese XI played the last match. [1]

In 1983, there was a main sponsorship for the competition for the first time and the number of invited teams was increased to three. From 1993 onwards, national teams rather than club teams were invited to participate in the competition. Many of the matches in that period were recognised as "full internationals" by FIFA. [1]

Competition name and sponsorship

YearNameSponsor
1983Coupe du Solvil et Titus Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Solvil et Titus
1984Adidas Gold Cup Flag of Germany.svg Adidas
1986–89Carlsberg Cup Flag of Denmark.svg Carlsberg
1990–92Marlboro Cup Flag of the United States.svg Marlboro
1993–2006Carlsberg Cup Flag of Denmark.svg Carlsberg
2008Wing Lung Bank Cup Flag of Hong Kong.svg Wing Lung Bank
2010Fortis Insurance Company Tiger Lunar New Year Cup [2] Flag of Hong Kong.svg Fortis Insurance Company
2011RedMR Asian Challenge Cup Flag of Hong Kong.svg RedMR
2012Nikon Asian Challenge Cup Flag of Japan.svg Nikon
2013China Mobile Satellite Communications Cup [3] Flag of Hong Kong.svg China Mobile Satellite Communications
2014AET Cup Flag of Hong Kong.svg AET
2017Nike Lunar New Year Cup [4] Flag of the United States.svg Nike
2019Tonghai Financial Chinese New Year Cup [5] Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Tonghai Financial
2024–25FWD Insurance Chinese New Year Cup [6] Flag of Hong Kong.svg FWD Group

Results

Lunar New Year Cup – year by year
YearFinalThird place match
WinnerScoreRunner-upThird placeScoreFourth place
1908–73 [note 1] (Interport and exhibition matches)
1974Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg  Hong Kong — [note 2] Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg CA Juventus Flag of Portugal.svg Sporting CP
—
1975 [note 1] Flag of Argentina.svg Independiente — [note 2] Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg  Hong Kong Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI
—
1976 [note 1] Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Grasshopper — [note 2] Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg  Hong Kong
—
1977 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Sparta Rotterdam — [note 2] Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg  Hong Kong Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI
—
1978Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China — [note 2] Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Servette FC Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg  Hong Kong
—
1979 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Guangdong— [note 2] Flag of Sweden.svg Östers IF Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI
—
1980 Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Red Star Belgrade — [note 2] Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg  Hong Kong
—
1981 Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Dinamo Zagreb — [note 2] Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg  Hong Kong
—
1982 Flag of Austria.svg FK Austria Wien 1–0 [7] Flag of South Korea (1949-1984).svg Hallelujah FC Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Seiko SA 1–1
(5–3 p)		 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI
1983 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI 2–0 Flag of South Korea (1949-1984).svg Hallelujah FC Flag of Denmark.svg AGF 3–1 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Beijing Selection
1984 Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg FK Partizan 1–0 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI Flag of South Korea (1949-1984).svg Daewoo Royals 2–1 [8] Flag of Denmark.svg Lyngby Boldklub
1985 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League British XI 1–0 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Guangzhoun/a Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai
1986Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg  Paraguay — [note 2] Flag of South Korea (1984-1997).svg  South Korea Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI
—
1987 Flag of Denmark.svg Brøndby IF 2–0Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg  Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Beijing1–0 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai
1988 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI 0–0
(5–3 p)		 Flag of Denmark.svg AGF Flag of South Korea (1984-1997).svg Lucky-Goldstar FC 3–0 [9] Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Dalian Shide
1989 Flag of Sweden.svg Malmö FF — [note 3] Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg  Hong Kong — [note 3] Flag of Denmark.svg Odense BK
1990 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Sparta Prague 2–0Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Spartak Moscow 4–1 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI
1991 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI 3–1 Flag of England.svg Aston Villa Flag of the Soviet Union.svg FC Dynamo Moscow 2–0Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
1992 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI 2–2
(3–2 p)		 Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg FK Partizan Flag of Romania.svg Steaua București 2–0 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg BSC Young Boys Bern
1993Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 3–2 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark U-21 2–1Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  Japan
1994 Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 2–0 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI Flag of Romania.svg  Romania League XI2–1Flag of the United States.svg  United States
1995 Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (1992-2006).svg FR Yugoslavia 1–0Flag of South Korea (1984-1997).svg  South Korea Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 3–1 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI
1996 Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1–1
(5–4 p)		Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  Japan Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 1–0 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI
1997 Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 2–1Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (1992-2006).svg FR Yugoslavia 3–1 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Hong Kong League XI
1998 Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 2–0 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 1–1
(4–2 p)		Flag of Chile.svg  Chile
1999 Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 3–0Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 3–0 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI
2000 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 2–1Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 0–0
(6–5 p)		 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI
2001 Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 2–1 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg  South Korea 1–1
(6–5 p)		Flag of Paraguay (1990-2013).svg  Paraguay
2002 Flag of Honduras (1949-2022).svg  Honduras 1–0 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 0–0
(4–3 p)		Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
2003 Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 1–1
(4–2 p)		Flag of Iran.svg  Iran Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark League XI 2–1 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI
2004 Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 3–1Flag of Honduras (1949-2022).svg  Honduras Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 3–0 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI
2005 Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 7–1Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong
(2 teams only)
2006 Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 3–1Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg  South Korea Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 4–0Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong
2007 Flag of Jamaica.svg Jamaica Olympic Team 0–0
(5–4 p)		 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China PR Olympic Team Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Olympic Team 2–2
(5–3 p)		 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI
2008 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI 2–1 Flag of Croatia.svg HNK Hajduk Split Flag of Uruguay.svg Peñarol 1–1
(5–4 p)		 Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg Ulsan Hyundai
2009 Flag of Hong Kong.svg South China & Pegasus United2–1 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Sparta Prague Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg Suwon Samsung Bluewings 0–0
(5–4 p)		 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI
2010 Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg Pohang Steelers — [note 2] Flag of Hong Kong.svg Kitchee Flag of Hong Kong.svg Pegasus Invitation Team
—
2011 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Tianjin Teda 0–0
(5–3 p)		 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Guangzhou Evergrande Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg Ulsan Hyundai 4–2 Flag of Hong Kong.svg South China
2012 Flag of South Korea.svg Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 5–1 Flag of Japan.svg Shimizu S-Pulse Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Guangzhou R&F 1–1
(3–1 p)		 Flag of Hong Kong.svg South China
2013 Flag of South Korea.svg Busan IPark 1–0 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shanghai East Asia Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI 1–0 Flag of Thailand.svg Muangthong United
2014 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Flag of Ecuador.svg Citizen & Cuenca United2–0 Flag of Portugal.svg Olhanense Flag of Russia.svg Krylia Sovetov 1–0 Flag of Japan.svg FC Tokyo
2015 Flag of the United States.svg New York Cosmos 2–2
(4–2 p)		 Flag of Hong Kong.svg South China
(2 teams only)
2016 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI 4–0 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong
(2 teams only)
2017 Flag of New Zealand.svg Auckland City 1–0 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Kitchee Flag of Thailand.svg Muangthong United 1–0 Flag of South Korea.svg FC Seoul
2018 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI 4–3 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong
(2 teams only)
2019 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Shandong Luneng 3–1 Flag of Japan.svg Sagan Tosu Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong League XI 1–0 Flag of New Zealand.svg Auckland City
2020 Cancelled [note 4]
2021
2022
2023
2024 World Legends7–3 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong Legends
(2 teams only)
2025 World Legends3–3
(6–5 p)		 Flag of Hong Kong.svg Hong Kong Legends
(2 teams only)
Notes
  1. 1 2 3 Exhibition matches. [1]
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Three-team round-robin tournament
  3. 1 2 Four-team round-robin tournament
  4. ↑ The 2020 to 2022 event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong and 2023 event due to safety concerns of Russian invasion of Ukraine. [10]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Lunar New Year Cup Archived 2023-01-07 at the Wayback Machine by Neil Morrison at the RSSSF
  2. ↑ "富通保險虎年賀歲盃". Archived from the original on 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  3. ↑ "China Mobile Satellite Communications Cup Final Busan IPARK (KOR) 1:0 Shanghai East Asia (CHN)". Archived from the original on 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  4. ↑ "Exciting Nike Lunar New Year Cup 2017 kicks-off Year of the Rooster on Saturday afternoon". Archived from the original on 2018-09-01. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  5. ↑ "TONGHAI FINANCIAL Chinese New Year Cup 2019". Archived from the original on 2019-02-09. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  6. ↑ "FWD Insurance Chinese New Year Cup". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  7. ↑ "Hallelujah FC finished runners-up in Hongkong football tournament". Archived from the original on 2021-02-15. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
  8. ↑ "Daewoo FC finished 3rd in Adidas Cup". Archived from the original on 2021-02-15. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
  9. ↑ "Lucky-Goldstar FC finished 3rd Place in Carlsberg Cup". Archived from the original on 2021-02-15. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
  10. ↑ Chan, Kin-wa. "Wuhan coronavirus: Lunar New Year Cup cancelled by government just hours after HKFA promotes the event". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
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