The 2024–25 Hong Kong Sapling Cup (named as JC Sapling Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 10th edition of the Hong Kong Sapling Cup. The competition was contested by the 9 teams in the 2024–25 Hong Kong Premier League. Each team was required to field a minimum of three players born on or after 1 January 2003 (U-22) and a maximum of six foreign players during every whole match.
Rangers were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the group stage. Southern became the champions for the second time after beating Lee Man in the final.
Details The champions of the JC Sapling Cup will receive HKD$120,000 in prize money, and HKD$100,000 donation to the champions' specified organization. Meanwhile, the runner-up will receive 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 will receive HK$30,000 while the remaining teams will receive HK$15,000.
In addition, the best U-22 player in each team will receive a prize of HKD$3,000. The most outstanding U-22 player among the selected best U-22 players from each team will receive 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 single round-robin tournament. Top two teams in each group advance to the semi-finals.
Calendar Phase Draw Date Date Matches ClubsGroup stage23 September 2024 12 October 2024 – 26 March 2025 16 9 → 4 Semi-finals 9 – 16 April 2025 2 4 → 2 Final 1 May 2025 1 2 → 1
Fixtures and results Group stage Group A
Group B
Knockout stage Bracket
Semi-finals
Final
Top scorers Rank Player Club Goals HKFA 30 September 20231 Matheus Chulapa North District3 Michel Renner Tai Po Igor Sartori Tai Po4 Noah Baffoe Eastern2 Víctor Bertomeu Eastern Gregory Southern Kendy North District Jahangir Khan North District Lau Chi Lok Rangers Leung Kwun Chung Eastern Marcão Tai Po Stefan Pereira Southern
Awards Best U-22 Player Prize Team Winner Best U-22 Player in Each Team Eastern Ma Hei Wai HKFC James Wright Kitchee Chen Ngo Hin Kowloon City Ho Lung Ho Lee Man Timothy Chow North District Dai Tsz Hin Rangers Li Wing Ho Southern Sohgo Ichikawa Tai Po Lee Lok Him Best of all U-22 Players Southern Sohgo Ichikawa
References