This August has been unusually quiet for Wang Zhenpeng. After 21 years guarding Kitchee’s goal, he has retired. Life after playing no longer means early-morning training at the Kitchee Centre, but he remains at the same place, beginning the second half of his Kitchee story.
Now, Peng’s daily routine includes a gym session after lunch, followed by youth team training in the afternoon. “I’m a bit reluctant to retire — I still feel I can play. But seeing Bear and Kaer ready to step up, and knowing they need game time, I felt it was time,” he said. Peng now focuses on training goalkeepers for Kitchee’s U14, U16 and the Women’s team, while also assisting with the Kitchee Academy. “I’ve actually been coaching for the past couple of seasons. Last season I was the Women’s team goalkeeper coach, and before that I worked with the U13s. This season, I’m focusing fully on coaching.”
Having shed his player identity, Peng feels more relaxed. “As a player, I was always anxious about my body and form, holding myself to higher standards and making many sacrifices. Especially at a high-profile club like Kitchee, the pressure was greater.” Still, he keeps fit with gym sessions and running, and as a goalkeeper coach, the physical demands during training remain substantial.
Looking back on his 21-year career, he is most grateful to former Kitchee goalkeeper coach Roberto Sambade. “He changed me a lot, and even now, my coaching is influenced by him.” Reflecting on his time at Kitchee, Peng considers it a rare achievement. “Coming from Dalian to Hong Kong and staying with the same club for 21 years is not easy.” Among many highlights, he recalls reaching the AFC Champions League knockout stage with Coach Alex Chu during the pandemic as a key memory. But the most unforgettable matches for him are two: “Winning titles is great, but I’ve won so many that the games where I felt I didn’t perform well stand out more. The first was the 2007 Senior Shield final, and the second was the AFC Champions League Round of 16 match.”
Although Wang Zhenpeng’s 21-year playing career with Kitchee has ended, his story with the Club continues. Entering his 22nd year, he has taken on a new role, continuing to contribute to Kitchee.
The original article was published in the matchday program for Kitchee vs Eastern District in the Hong Kong Premier League on September 6, 2026.