# Lam Ka Wai

Lam Ka Wai (Chinese: 林嘉緯; Jyutping: lam$^4$ gaa$^1$ wai$^5$; born 5 June 1985) is a former Hong Kong professional footballer who played as a midfielder and a current football coach. He is currently the assistant coach of Hong Kong Premier League club Rangers.
Lam is an AFC B License holder.

## Club career
### Early career

Lam lived away from his parents and spent his childhood years playing football. During his school life, he showed his talent in soccer. He could complete with high school teammates while aged 15. He was studying in Concordia Lutheran School and after Form 3 he ceased his studies to pursue a football career.
Lam started his football career at Yee Hope's youth academy. In 2002 he joined Rangers but was loaned to Double Flower on a monthly salary of just HKD$1,500, to train under coach Chiu Chung Man. He was then loaned further to Kitchee when he was just 17.
In 2004, Lam returned to Rangers and began to impress. He was selected for the Hong Kong national team in 2005 and scored on his debut. Unfortunately, he suffered a severe ankle ligament injury in 2005 and was sidelined for most of the league season.

### Kitchee

Lam joined Kitchee in 2008 and along with Lo Kwan Yee has been the mainstay of the club since. At Kitchee he plays as the midfield playmaker, wearing the no. 10 shirt.
In June 2010, Kitchee reported to the Hong Kong Football Association that Fourway Rangers made an illegal approach to his services.
On 29 July 2013, Lam played against Manchester United. He dribbled past Manchester United star midfielder Michael Carrick before unleashing a wonder shot past Ben Amos. He also gave an assist to Alex that tore open Manchester United's defence.

#### 2010–11 season

In the 2010–11 Hong Kong First Division League season, Lam scored 9 goals and was a key member of the team that overcame South China by one point to win the league title. This was the first title for Kitchee in 47 years, gaining the club the rights to play in the 2011 Barclays Asia Trophy and 2012 AFC Cup.
Lam's contribution included two goals against South China on 11 December 2010 to help Kitchee claim an important 4–3 away win. He scored two more in the 7–0 victory over Tai Chung on 1 May 2011.

#### Fibula fracture

After the season ended, Lam played in a local soccer game without Kitchee's consent and fractured his fibula, making him unable to play for either Hong Kong in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification matches or for Kitchee in the 2011 Barclays Asia Trophy. For this reason, Kitchee stripped him of his vice-captaincy.

#### 2011–12 season

On 19 April 2012, Lam received the Most Valuable Player for March 2012 award from the Hong Kong Sports Press Association, after helping the club win the 2011–12 Hong Kong League Cup.

#### 2013–14 season

On 29 July 2013, in an exhibition match against English Premier League giants Manchester United at the Hong Kong Stadium, Lam scored by curling the ball into the top corner from outside the box on 53 minutes, giving reserve United keeper Ben Amos no chance. But Kitchee lost the match 2–5.

#### 2016–17 season

On 25 January 2017, Lam scored a last-minute winner versus Hà Nội to lift Kitchee to victory in their 2017 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off match.

#### 2017–18 season

On 26 May 2018, Lam made his final appearance for Kitchee as the club won the 2017–18 Hong Kong FA Cup.

### Eastern

After over a decade at Kitchee, Lam signed with fellow Hong Kong Premier League club Eastern on 1 July 2018.

### R&F

On 13 January 2020, Lam terminated his contract with Eastern and signed with rivals R&F. The contract is for a half year, with a clause for an automatic extension after seven league appearances.
However, after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong in 2020, the 2019–20 season was suspended before he could trigger an extension. Thus, on 6 June 2020, Lam revealed that R&F had declined to renew his contract at the club.

### Rangers

On 10 September 2020, Rangers' Director of Football Philip Lee declared that Lam would return to the club as a player and a youth team coach. He added that Lam would sign a one-year contract and be given the captain's armband.
On 6 April 2024, Lam announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the 2023–24 season.

## International career

On 5 March 2005, Lam made his international debut for Hong Kong in the Preliminary Competition of 2005 East Asian Football Championship against Mongolia.
On 1 June 2012, Lam scored the only goal in Hong Kong's friendly win against Singapore at the Hong Kong Stadium.

## Honours
### Club
#### Kitchee

* Hong Kong Premier League: 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18
* Hong Kong First Division: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14
* Hong Kong Senior Shield: 2016–17
* Hong Kong FA Cup: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18
* Hong Kong Sapling Cup: 2017–18
* Hong Kong League Cup: 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16

#### Rangers

* Hong Kong Sapling Cup: 2023–24

## Career statistics
### Club

As of 6 December 2006
| Club | Season | League | League | League Cup | League Cup | Senior Shield | Senior Shield | FA Cup | FA Cup | AFC Cup | AFC Cup | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Double Flower (loan) | 2002–03 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 0 | ? | 0 | — | — | ? | ? |
| Double Flower (loan) | Total | | | | | | 0 | | 0 | — | — | | |
| Kitchee (loan) | 2003–04 | ? | 3 | ? | 1 | ? | 1 | ? | 0 | — | — | ? | 5 |
| Kitchee (loan) | Total | | 3 | | 1 | | 1 | | 0 | — | — | | 5 |
| Rangers | 2004–05 | ? | 2 | ? | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | ? | 3 |
| Rangers | 2005–06 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 1 |
| Rangers | 2006–07 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 |
| Rangers | Total | | 2 | | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | ? | 4 |
| Career Total | Career Total | | | | | | 1 | | 0 | — | — | | |

### International

    As of 27 March 2018
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Hong Kong | 2005 | 4 | 2 |
| Hong Kong | 2006 | 0 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2007 | 4 | 1 |
| Hong Kong | 2008 | 0 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2009 | 1 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2010 | 1 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2011 | 2 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2012 | 6 | 1 |
| Hong Kong | 2013 | 5 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2014 | 7 | 3 |
| Hong Kong | 2015 | 10 | 2 |
| Hong Kong | 2016 | 6 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2017 | 4 | 0 |
| Hong Kong | 2018 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 51 | 9 |
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Scored | Competition |
| 1 | 5 March 2005 | Chungshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan | Mongolia | 6–0 | 1 | 2005 EAFF Championship Preliminary |
| 2 | 7 March 2005 | Chungshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan | Guam | 15–0 | 0 | 2005 EAFF Championship Preliminary |
| 3 | 11 March 2005 | Chungshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan | Chinese Taipei | 5–0 | 1 | 2005 EAFF Championship Preliminary |
| 4 | 13 March 2005 | Chungshan Soccer Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan | North Korea | 0–2 | 0 | 2005 EAFF Championship Preliminary |
| 5 | 21 October 2007 | Gianyar Stadium, Gianyar, Indonesia | Timor-Leste | 3–2 | 0 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 6 | 28 October 2007 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong | Timor-Leste | 8–1 | 1 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 7 | 10 November 2007 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong | Turkmenistan | 0–0 | 0 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 8 | 18 November 2007 | Olympic Stadium, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan | Turkmenistan | 0–3 | 0 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 9 | 9 October 2009 | Outsourcing Stadium, Shizuoka, Japan | Japan | 0–6 | 0 | 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 10 | 17 November 2010 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong | Paraguay | 0–7 | 0 | Friendly |
| 11 | 9 February 2011 | Shah Alam Stadium, Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | 0–2 | 0 | Friendly |
| 12 | 3 June 2011 | Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground, Hong Kong | Malaysia | 1–1 | 0 | Friendly |
| 13 | 29 February 2012 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Chinese Taipei | 5–1 | 0 | Friendly |
| 14 | 1 June 2012 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong | Singapore | 1–0 | 1 | Friendly |
| 15 | 10 June 2012 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Vietnam | 1–2 | 0 | Friendly |
| 16 | 18 August 2012 | Jurong West Stadium, Singapore | Singapore | 0–2 | 0 | Friendly |
| 17 | 16 October 2012 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Kowloon | Malaysia | 0–3 | 0 | Friendly |
| 18 | 14 November 2012 | Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam, Malaysia | Malaysia | 1–1 | 0 | Friendly |
| 19 | 22 March 2013 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Vietnam | 1–0 | 0 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 20 | 4 June 2013 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Philippines | 0–1 | 0 | Friendly |
| | 6 September 2013 | Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar | Myanmar | 0–0 | 0 | Friendly |
| 21 | 10 September 2013 | Mong Kok Stadium, Mong Kok, Hong Kong | Singapore | 1–0 | 0 | Friendly |
| 22 | 15 October 2013 | Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong | United Arab Emirates | 0–4 | 0 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 23 | 19 November 2013 | Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Hong Kong | Uzbekistan | 0–2 | 0 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 24 | 5 March 2014 | Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam | Vietnam | 1–3 | 1 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 25 | 6 September 2014 | Lạch Tray Stadium, Hai Phong, Vietnam | Vietnam | 1–3 | 1 | Friendly |
| 26 | 9 September 2014 | Hougang Stadium, Hougang, Singapore | Singapore | 0–0 | 0 | Friendly |
| 27 | 10 October 2014 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Singapore | 2–1 | 0 | Friendly |
| 28 | 14 October 2014 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong | Argentina | 0–7 | 0 | Friendly |
| 29 | 16 November 2014 | Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan | Chinese Taipei | 1–0 | 1 | 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup preliminary round 2 |
| 30 | 19 November 2014 | Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan | Guam | 0–0 | 0 | 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup preliminary round 2 |
| 31 | 28 March 2015 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Guam | 1–0 | 0 | Friendly |
| 32 | 6 June 2015 | Shah Alam Stadium, Selangor, Malaysia | Malaysia | 0–0 | 0 | Friendly |
| 33 | 11 June 2015 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Bhutan | 7–0 | 1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round |
| 34 | 16 June 2015 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Maldives | 2–0 | 1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round |
| 35 | 3 September 2015 | Bao'an Stadium, Shenzhen, China | China | 0–0 | 0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round |
| 36 | 8 September 2015 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Qatar | 2–3 | 0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round |
| 37 | 9 October 2015 | Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Thailand | 0–1 | 0 | Friendly |
| 38 | 13 October 2015 | Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu, Bhutan | Bhutan | 1–0 | 0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round |
| 39 | 7 November 2015 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Myanmar | 5–0 | 0 | Friendly |
| 40 | 12 November 2015 | National Football Stadium, Malé, Maldives | Maldives | 1–0 | 0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round |
| 41 | 1 September 2016 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Cambodia | 4–2 | 0 | Friendly |
| 42 | 6 October 2016 | Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Cambodia | 2–0 | 0 | Friendly |
| 43 | 11 October 2016 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Singapore | 2–0 | 0 | Friendly |
| 44 | 6 November 2016 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Guam | 3–2 | 0 | EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Round 2 |
| 45 | 9 November 2016 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Chinese Taipei | 4–2 | 0 | EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Round 2 |
| 46 | 12 November 2016 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | North Korea | 0–1 | 0 | EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2017 Round 2 |
| 47 | 7 June 2017 | Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong | Jordan | 0–0 | 0 | Friendly |
| 48 | 31 August 2017 | Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | Singapore | 1–1 | 0 | Friendly |
| 49 | 5 September 2017 | Hang Jebat Stadium, Malacca City, Malaysia | Malaysia | 1–1 | 0 | 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round – third round |
| 50 | 14 November 2017 | Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong | Lebanon | 0–1 | 0 | 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round – third round |
| 51 | 27 March 2018 | Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea | North Korea | 0–2 | 0 | 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round – third round |