The 2022–23 Sapling Cup (named as JC Sapling Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 8th edition of the Sapling Cup. The competition was contested by the 10 teams in the 2022–23 Hong Kong Premier League. Each team was required to field a minimum of three players born on or after 1 January 2001 (U-22) and a maximum of six foreign players during every whole match, with no more than five foreign players on the pitch at the same time.
Eastern were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the semi-finals. Southern became the champions for the first time after beating Lee Man in the final.
The champions of the Jockey Club Sapling Cup received HKD$120,000 in prize money, and HKD$100,000 donation to the champions' specified organization. Meanwhile, the runner-up received HKD$60,000, and HKD$50,000 donation to the runner-up's specified organization. In addition, the two losing teams in the semi-finals received HK$30,000 while the remaining teams will receive HK$15,000.
In addition, the best U-22 player in each team received a prize of HKD$3,000. The most outstanding U-22 player among the selected best U-22 players from each team received an additional HKD$5,000 for being the best of all the U-22 players.
Format The participating teams were divided into two groups for a double round-robin tournament. Top two teams in each group advance to the semi-finals.
Calendar Phase Draw Date Date Matches ClubsGroup stage 20 August 2022 HKFA 20 August 2022 2 September 2022 – 10 April 20234010 → 4 Semi-finals 19–20 April 2023 2 4 → 2 Final 20 May 2023 at Mong Kok Stadium 1 2 → 1
Fixtures and results Group stage Group A
Group B
Semi-finals
Final
Final The final took place on 20 May 2023 at Mong Kok Stadium.
GK 25 Ng Wai Him (U-22)CB 4 Kota KawaseCB 6 KessiCF 7 Stefan Pereira RB 8 Lee Ka YiuCM 11 Shu Sasaki (c)CB 12 Tomas MaronesiCF 17 Jean Moser RW 18 Mahama AwalCM 23 Yung Ho (U-22) LW 28 Chen Ngo Hin (U-22) Substitutes:GK 29 Tse Tak HimCB 5 DuduCM 14 Ho Chun TingLB 16 Chak Ting FungLW 19 Jahangir KhanMF 21 Hardikpreet Singh (U-22) CM 24 Ju Yingzhi MF 26 Chan Hoi PakMF 27 Lo Kam Wang (U-22) CB 44 Lau Hok Ming RW 67 Seb BuddleHead Coach: Cheng Siu Chung GK 26 Chan Ka Ho RB 3 Tsui Wang Kit (c)CB 5 Yu Wai Lim CF 9 Manuel Bleda AM 10 Jonatan Acosta LB 12 Law Cheuk Hei (U-22)CB 14 José Ángel CM 18 Zachary Hui (U-22)RW 24 Cheng Chun Wang (U-22) DM 33 Diego EliLW 91 GilSubstitutes:GK 92 Tang Tsz Long (U-22) LB 4 Ryoya TachibanaLW 7 Lee Hong LimRW 11 Cheng Siu Kwan DM 16 Ngan Lok Fung RB 21 Tsang Kam ToAM 23 Wong Wai DF 29 Yu Pui HongDF 30 Liang Ngai Tung (U-22)DF 37 Leung Lap Tin (U-22)AM 44 Yuto Nakamura CB 94 Alie SesayHead Coach: Tsang Chiu Tat Player of the Match: Stefan Pereira (Southern)
Assistant Referees: Fok Pong Shing Wong Ping Chung Fourth Official: Law Bik ChiMatch rules 90 minutes 30 minutes of extra time if necessary Penalty shoot-out if scores still level Maximum of five substitutions, with a sixth allowed in extra time
Top scorers Rank Player Club Goals HKFA 20 August 20221 Paulinho Simionato Tai Po82 Jean Moser Southern73 Stefan Pereira Southern64 Everton Camargo Lee Man55 Paulinho HKFC4 Shu Sasaki Southern Gil Lee Man Sun Ming Him Eastern Juninho Rangers1011 players3
Awards Best U-22 Player Prize Team Winner Best U-22 Player in Each Team Kitchee Yuen Chun Him Eastern Chung Hoi Man Lee Man Law Cheuk Hei Southern Ng Wai Him Rangers Lo Siu Kei Tai Po Kwok Chun Nok HKFC Timothy Chow Resources Capital Yip Cheuk Man Sham Shui Po Tai Ting Hong HK U23 Chan Yun Tung Best of all U-22 Players Southern Ng Wai Him
Remarks
References