Meizhou Hakka F.C.

Not to be confused with Meizhou Meixian Hakka F.C..

Football club

Meizhou Hakka
梅州客家

Full name| Meizhou Hakka Football Club
梅州客家足球俱乐部
Founded| 2013; 11 years ago (2013)
Ground| Huitang Stadium, Wuhua
Capacity| 27,000
Head coach| Milan Ristić
League| China League One
2024| Chinese Super League, 15th of 16 (relegated)

Home colours

Away colours

|

Meizhou Hakka Football Club (simplified Chinese: 梅州客家足球俱乐部; traditional Chinese: 梅州客家足球俱樂部; pinyin: Méizhōu Kèjiā Zúqiú Jùlèbù; Hakka language: Mòi-Chû Hag-Ga chuk-khiù khî-lo̍k-phu) is a Chinese professional football club based in Wuhua, Meizhou, Guangdong, that competes in China League One, the second tier of Chinese football. Meizhou Hakka plays its home matches at the Huitang Stadium, located within Wuhua County. Their current majority shareholders are the Meizhou municipal government, Municipal Sports Bureau, Wei Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. and partners.

## History

[edit]

Meizhou Hakka F.C. was established in January 2013 by former Guangdong Sunray Cave manager Cao Yang along with the support of the Meizhou municipal government, Municipal Sports Bureau.[1] He would soon go on to gain financial support from the Chairman of Wei Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., Wei Jinping who was persuaded in investing into the team after Cao Yang described his envision of creating a footballing hub in Wuhua County, the home town of former Chinese footballer and coach Lee Wai Tong.[2] The squad was assembled with local Hakka players and players from other teams in Guangdong, including Guangdong Sunray Cave, Guangzhou Evergrande, Shenzhen Ruby and Shenzhen Fengpeng before entering the third tier in the 2013 league season where despite topping the group stages they finished fifth in the knock-out stages.[3]

Kejia Football club logo in 2013

Former Chinese national team head coach Qi Wusheng was brought in during the 2015 China League Two season.[4] He would go on to help guide the club to win the division title in a penalty shoot-out against Dalian Transcendence and promotion to the second tier for the first time in the club's history.[5] Qi Wusheng would not extend his contract with the club and Dutch football manager Luc Nijholt was brought in on 1 January 2016 as well as 80 million yuan to invest within the team.[6] Luc Nijholt would leave the team on 19 July 2016 as the club sat twelfth within the league and marginally above the relegation zone, a position they would remain in for the rest of the season.[7] After several managerial changes with limited success, Serbian manager Milan Ristić was brought in on 6 February 2021 and he was able to guide the team to promotion to the top tier at the end of the 2021 China League One season.[8]

## Name history

[edit]

According to the club's statement:

* 2013 Meizhou Kejia 梅州客家
* 2014– Meizhou Wuhua 梅州五华[9]

According to official documents of CFA:

* 2013–2015 Meizhou Kejia 梅州客家
* 2016— Meizhou Hakka 梅州客家[10][11][12][13][14][15]

## Current squad

[edit]

### First-team squad

[edit]

As of 13 July 2024

[16] [17]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  CHN | Mai Gaoling
3  | DF |  CHN | Pan Ximing
5  | DF |  CHN | Tian Ziyi
6  | DF |  CHN | Liao Junjian
7  | DF |  CHN | Ye Chugui
10  | MF |  CHN | Yin Hongbo
11  | DF |  CRO | Darick Kobie Morris
12  | MF |  CHN | Yin Congyao
13  | FW |  CHN | Shi Liang
14  | MF |  CHN | Li Ning
15  | DF |  CHN | Chen Zhechao
16  | FW |  CHN | Yang Chaosheng
17  | FW |  CHN | Yang Yihu
18  | GK |  CHN | Cheng Yuelei
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

20  | DF |  CHN | Wang Jianan
23  | MF |  CHN | Cui Wei
25  | MF |  BRA | Rodrigo Henrique
27  | MF |  MNE | Nebojša Kosović
28  | FW |  CMR | John Mary
29  | DF |  HKG | Yue Tze Nam
30  | MF |  CHN | Chen Jie
31  | DF |  CHN | Rao Weihui
35  | GK |  CHN | Deng Xiongtao
36  | DF |  CHN | Zhang Sijie
38  | MF |  CHN | Li Yongjia
41  | GK |  CHN | Guo Quanbo
42  | MF |  CHN | Wei Zhiwei
43  | MF |  CHN | Zhang Jiajie
44  | MF |  CHN | Lincoln Ying

### Reserve squad

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

-- | GK |  CHN | Hong Zhiyue
-- | MF |  CHN | Shi Hongjun
-- | MF |  CHN | Li Yang
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

-- | MF |  CHN | Yang Bin
9  | FW |  CMR | Rooney Eva

### Out on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

44  | MF |  SVN | Andrej Kotnik (at Dalian Young Boy until 31 December 2024)
-- | MF |  CHN | Tao Zhilüe (at Ganzhou Ruishi until 31 December 2024)
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

-- | MF |  CHN | Chen Guokang (at Ganzhou Ruishi until 31 December 2024)
-- | MF |  CHN | Cui Wei  (at Guangdong GZ-Power until 31 December 2024)

## Coaching staff

[edit]

Position  | Staff

|

Head coach  |  Milan Ristić
Assistant coach  |  Qu Gang
Goalkeeping coach  |  Da Silva
Fitness coach  |  Zdravko Peric

Source: CFA

### Managerial history

[edit]

* Cao Yang (2013)
* Tan Ende (2014–26 May 2015)
* Zhang Jun (26 May 2015 – 3 July 2015)
* Qi Wusheng (3 July 2015–31 Dec 2015)
* Luc Nijholt (1 Jan 2016–19 Jul 2016)
* Cao Yang (interim) (19 Jul 2016–31 Dec 2016)
* Vjekoslav Lokica (16 Feb 2017–29 Apr 2017)
* Cao Yang (interim) (29 Apr 2017–23 Jul 2017)
* Aleksandar Stankov (23 Jul 2017–18 Dec 2017)
* Rusmir Cviko (18 Dec 2017–28 Aug 2018)
* Li Weijun (interim) (28 Aug 2018–19 Dec 2018)
* Zheng Xiaotian (19 Dec 2018–6 Nov 2019)
* Marcelo Rospide (12 Nov 2019–31 Dec 2020)
* Milan Ristić (2 Feb 2021–4 Jan 2024)
* Pablo Villar (5 Jan 2024–20 May 2024)
* Qu Gang (interim) (20 May 2024–12 Jun 2024)
* Milan Ristić (12 Jun 2024–present)

## Honours

[edit]

* China League Two (tier-III)[5]
* Champions (1): 2015

## Results

[edit]

All-time league rankings

As of the end of 2024 season.[18][19]

Year  | Div  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts  | Pos.  | FA Cup | Super Cup | AFC | Att./G  | Stadium

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2013 | 3 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 30 | 6 | 24 | 30 1 | 5[20] | DNE | DNQ | DNQ |  | Meixian Tsang Hin-chi Stadium
Wuhua County Stadium
2014 | 3 | 16 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 45 | 7 | 38 | 42 1 | 4 | R3 | DNQ | DNQ |  | Wuhua County Stadium
2015 | 3 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 39 | 13 | 26 | 30 1 | W | R3 | DNQ | DNQ | 4,818
2016 | 2 | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 48 | 50 | −2 | 39 | 12 | R3 | DNQ | DNQ | 6,450
2017 | 2 | 30 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 33 | 39 | −6 | 33 | 12 | R2 | DNQ | DNQ | 5,865
2018 | 2 | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 40 | 44 | −4 | 40 | 9 | R3 | DNQ | DNQ | 3,583
2019 | 2 | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 44 | 41 | 3 | 39 | 10 | R3 | DNQ | DNQ | 5,984 | Huitang Stadium
2020 | 2 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 27 | 16 | 11 | 28 | 5 | R2 | DNQ | DNQ |
2021 | 2 | 34 | 24 | 3 | 7 | 79 | 35 | 44 | 75 | RU | R3 | DNQ | DNQ |
2022 | 1 | 34 | 14 | 7 | 13 | 43 | 41 | 2 | 49 | 9 | R3 | DNQ | DNQ |
2023 | 1 | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 42 | 54 | −12 | 34 | 11 | R4 | DNQ | DNQ | 15,004
2024 | 1 | 30 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 29 | 55 | −26 | 27 | 15 | R4 | DNQ | DNQ |

* ^1 In group stage.

Key

|  |  China top division

|

|  China second division
|  China third division
W  |  Winners
RU  |  Runners-up
3  |  Third place
|  Relegated

* Pld = Played
* W = Games won
* D = Games drawn
* L = Games lost
* F = Goals for
* A = Goals against
* Pts = Points
* Pos = Final position

* DNQ = Did not qualify
* DNE = Did not enter
* NH = Not Held
* – = Does Not Exist
* R1 = Round 1
* R2 = Round 2
* R3 = Round 3
* R4 = Round 4

* F = Final
* SF = Semi-finals
* QF = Quarter-finals
* R16 = Round of 16
* Group = Group stage
* GS2 = Second Group stage
* QR1 = First Qualifying Round
* QR2 = Second Qualifying Round
* QR3 = Third Qualifying Round

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "梅州足球的好时光 组两中乙队冲甲". sports.sina.com.cn (in Chinese). 2012-12-21. Archived from the original on 2016-01-31. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
2. ^ "球王李惠堂故里广东五华首迎职业足球联赛". gd.chinanews.com (in Chinese). 2013-08-26. Archived from the original on 2013-09-13. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
3. ^ "梅州五华升甲!广东又多一支中甲球队". epaper.oeeee.com (in Chinese). 2015-09-27. Archived from the original on 2019-01-16. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
4. ^ "71岁戚务生重出"江湖"". ycwb.com. 2015-07-05. Archived from the original on 2015-09-27. Retrieved 2015-07-05.
5. ^ a b "中乙决赛-超越120分钟闷平 客家点球8-7险胜夺冠". sports.163.com. 2015-10-10. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
6. ^ "中甲新军完成阵容升级 荷兰新帅:广东球员大有潜力". sports.sina.com.cn (in Chinese). 2016-01-19. Archived from the original on 2022-12-02. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
7. ^ "梅州客家官方宣布主帅辞职 总经理曹阳暂时带队". sports.sohu.com (in Chinese). 2016-07-19. Archived from the original on 2022-12-02. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
8. ^ "足球之乡梅州迎首支中超球队 男女足都踢顶级联赛". sports.sina.com.cn (in Chinese). 2021-12-22. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
9. ^ "Wǒ shì liǎng duì běn lún yī shèng yī fù Méizhōu Kèjiā duì gēngmíng wéi Méizhōu Wǔhuá duì" 我市两队本轮一胜一负 梅州客家队更名为梅州五华队 [One of two Meizhou teams won, the other lost in this roundwork Meizhou Kejia (or Hakka) team is formally renamed Meizhou Wuhua team]. Meizhou Daily (in Chinese). 25 May 2014. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
10. ^ "2013年中乙联赛球队报名表（南北区）" (in Chinese (China)). CFA. 2013-04-27. Archived from the original on 2017-12-03. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
11. ^ "2014中国足球协会乙级联赛秩序册" (PDF) (in Chinese). CFA. 2014-05-29. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-12-03. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
12. ^ "关于足协杯第3轮开球时间及上报第4轮比赛地点时间的通知" (PDF) (in Chinese). CFA. 2014-07-02. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
13. ^ "2015中乙联赛俱乐部报名表" (in Chinese). CFA. 2015-04-21. Archived from the original on 2017-12-03. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
14. ^ "2016中国足球协会甲级联赛秩序册" (in Chinese). CFA. 2016-04-21. Archived from the original on 2017-12-03. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
15. ^ "2017年58同城中甲联赛秩序册" (PDF) (in Chinese). CFA. 2017-04-07. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-12-03. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
16. ^ "2019中甲联赛16队大名单". Sohu.com (in Chinese). 2019-03-07. Archived from the original on 2019-03-08. Retrieved 2019-03-07.
17. ^ "官宣 科特尼克、金良宽加盟梅州客家足球俱乐部". 2023-08-03.
18. ^ "China – List of Champions". RSSSF. 20 March 2014. Archived from the original on July 4, 2014. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
19. ^ "梅州客家". sodasoccer.com (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2016-03-22. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
20. ^ "2013年中国足球协会乙级联赛决赛阶段比赛名次". fa.org.cn (in Chinese). 2015-08-07. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-11-06.

* v
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Chinese Super League

Seasons|

* Jia-A League
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
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Clubs|

| 2025|

* Beijing Guoan
* Cangzhou Mighty Lions
* Changchun Yatai
* Chengdu Rongcheng
* Dalian Yingbo
* Henan
* Qingdao Hainiu
* Qingdao West Coast
* Shandong Taishan
* Shanghai Port
* Shanghai Shenhua
* Shenzhen Peng City
* Tianjin Jinmen Tiger
* Wuhan Three Towns
* Yunnan Yukun
* Zhejiang

|

Former|

* Beijing Chengfeng (defunct)
* Chengdu Tiancheng (defunct)
* Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic (defunct)
* Dalian Pro (defunct)
* Dalian Shide (defunct)
* Guangzhou
* Guangzhou City (defunct)
* Guizhou (defunct)
* Hebei (defunct)
* Jiangsu (defunct)
* Liaoning (defunct)
* Meizhou Hakka
* Nantong Zhiyun
* Qingdao (defunct)
* Shanghai Shenxin (defunct)
* Shanghai United (defunct)
* Shaoxing Keqiao Yuejia (defunct)
* Shenzhen (defunct)
* Sichuan First City (defunct)
* Wuhan Optics Valley (defunct)
* Wuhan Yangtze River (defunct)
* Xiamen Blue Lions (defunct)
* Tianjin Tianhai (defunct)
* Yanbian Funde (defunct)

Lists and statistics|

* Champions
* Foreign CSL players
* Hat-tricks

Sponsors|

* Siemens Mobile (2004)
* iphox.com (2006)
* Kingway Brewery (2007–08)
* Pirelli (2009–10)
* Wanda Plaza (2011–13)
* Ping An (2014–23)
* China Resources C'estbon (2024–present)

Associated competitions|

* CFA Cup
* Super Cup
* AFC Champions League
* AFC Champions League Elite
* AFC Champions League 2

Prospects|

* Relegation to China League One

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
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