Hong Kong favourite Orr wants to attract city’s football fans to Chinese Super League, striker hoping for Shenzhen boost
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Matt Orr hopes his transfer to Shenzhen Peng City will encourage a stream of Hongkongers across the border to support the relocated Chinese Super League club.
Hong Kong striker Orr, who is set to win his 23rd international cap in Thursday’s home Fifa World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan, said he had encountered a “big step up in physicality and intensity” from China League One, where he scored 15 goals last season for Guangxi Pingguo Haliao.
He came off the bench in his new team’s opening two matches of the season, which both ended in defeat for the City Football Group (CFG)-owned team.
“I think the club hopes I can bring over some support for the team, and I would love to try to get Hong Kong fans across, if they are interested in watching some good football,” Orr said.
Shenzhen’s home defeat by TJ Jinmen Tiger this month attracted only 7,671 supporters to their 44,050-capacity Bao’an Stadium.
“Shenzhen is such a business-concentrated city, so we do not get the biggest crowds in the league, and we would welcome as much support as possible.”