“Kitchee” midfielder Ruslan Mingazov celebrated winning the Hong Kong Championship by wrapping himself in a Turkmenistan flag.

In the final match of the season, “Kitchee” drew 4-4 with “Eastern”, with the Turkmen midfielder scoring twice. “Kitchee” finished the season with 52 points, nine ahead of closest rivals “Tai Po”.

Mingazov became a two-time Hong Kong champion with “Kitchee”, winning his first title in the 2022/23 season.

"Salam aleykum, Turkmenistan! Thank you all for your support. Today is the fifth championship of my football career, in four different countries. I hold this trophy and flag with great pride," Mingazov said in a video message to fans posted on his social media.

The footballer expressed gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, for their attention to the development of sports in Turkmenistan.

Mingazov also spoke about his path to professional football. "My childhood dream was to become a professional footballer, and thanks to the football school in Turkmenistan and the specialists I worked with, I can enjoy such moments in different parts of the world," he said, thanking his parents and family for their support and faith in him.

In conclusion, the midfielder declared his love for his homeland: "I want to remember where I was born and raised and say that I love Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan, go ahead!"

Mingazov is 34 years old. He has been playing for “Kitchee” since 2022. He won his first Hong Kong championship title in the 2022/23 season, when the club completed the treble, winning the league, Hong Kong Cup, and Senior Shield. The midfielder scored 17 goals in 18 matches and was named Hong Kong Footballer of the Year.

For Mingazov, this title was the fifth in his career, winning in four different countries. He previously won the championship in Turkmenistan (2008), Latvia (2010), and the Czech Republic (2016/17).

For “Kitchee”, this title was their seventh in the Hong Kong Premier League and the thirteenth in the club's history. Next season, the team will return to the AFC Champions League 2.