How a promising Japanese-Hong Kong footballer deals with national identity ahead of the World Cup

The 20-year-old Kitchee forward’s four character-long Chinese name immediately catches the eye on the teamsheet and his surname is virtually unheard of in the city.

“When I go to the doctor or driving school, they see my name and ask ‘do you speak Chinese?’ in English,” said native Cantonese speaker Harima after an off-season shooting session at the Jockey Club Kitchee Centre earlier in the week. “It was a bit annoying at first but as I got older I realised it’s quite unique.”
Harima was born in Hong Kong to a Japanese father and Hong Kong mother. His eight-year-old sister, Shiori, is a proud supporter and has been Kitchee club mascot in the past.

Harima visits Japan every year to care for his grandparents – who have only seen his fledging career via video clips – and cites the island nation’s extensive football scene as his source of inspiration.
“I never thought I’d be a footballer, but after going to Japan each summer, I saw many different clubs playing high-level football. From then on I would keep up with the Japanese and Hong Kong leagues,” said Harima, who spent last season on loan to Dreams FC.

Tiger, as his fans call him, has represented Hong Kong at every youth level up to under-23 last year. As a teen, he played under legendary Hong Kong winger Lee Kin-wo for Eastern youth before moving to Rangers. By 14, he was intermittently training with the Rangers first team.

The striker was tallying plenty of youth team goals and would always turn up against one opponent in particular.
“Kitchee youth team was the best. Our Eastern team was not as good but I managed to score against them. Then when I played for Rangers against Kitchee, I scored again.”
Then-Kitchee youth coach Alex Chu Chi-kwong – now senior team manager – would observe from the sidelines. How could the same kid score against his dominant side with two different teams?

courtesy: scmp.com
photo: South China Morning Post

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