Poon Yiu Cheuk
A stalwart defender who became the enduring face of Hong Kong football, transitioning from a reliable left-back to a respected national team coach.
Born 1977 (age 49)·Hong Kong footballer and coach·Birthday: September 19·Generation X
Biography
Poon Yiu Cheuk's career is a map of Hong Kong football over two decades. As a player, he was the model of consistency, a tough and intelligent left-back whose game was built on positioning and grit rather than flash. He spent the majority of his club career with Happy Valley AA, becoming a fixture and a leader. His reliability earned him a long tenure with the Hong Kong national team, where he served as captain and amassed over 70 caps, a testament to his durability and respect within the squad. After hanging up his boots, Poon smoothly transitioned into coaching, applying the same steady, methodical approach he displayed on the pitch. He took the helm of the Hong Kong national team, tasked with navigating the complex challenges of developing the sport in the city, proving his legacy was built on more than just tackles—it was built on a deep understanding of the game's fabric in his home.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Poon was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Poon Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Poon's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned over 70 caps for the Hong Kong national football team, serving as team captain.
- Won multiple Hong Kong First Division League titles during his long tenure with Happy Valley AA.
- Appointed head coach of the Hong Kong national team in 2021, leading them in World Cup qualification.
- Played a key role in Hong Kong's surprise victory over China in a 2015 World Cup qualifier.
Did You Know?
He is known by the nickname 'Cheuk Cheuk' among fans and teammates.
Poon played his entire professional club career in Hong Kong, never moving to a foreign league.
He scored a memorable long-range goal for Hong Kong against Uzbekistan in a 2007 Asian Cup qualifier.
“A left-back's job is to defend first; the rest is a bonus.”
