2008–09 Hong Kong First Division League

The 2008–09 Hong Kong First Division League season, known as Coolpoint Ventilation First Division for sponsorship reasons, was the 97th since its establishment in 1908. It began on 6 September 2008 and ended on 10 May 2009. The unveiling match was contested by the defending champions South China, and the runners-up of last season Citizen. They made a 1–1 draw, scored by Sandro of Citizen and Detinho of South China, China.

Three new teams joined the league as competition members, including Fourway, TSW Pegasus and Xiangxue Eisiti. The league consisted of 13 teams, the most since the 1979–80 season.

League team changes
Teams promoted from 2007–08 Hong Kong Second Division League Teams relegated to 2008–09 Hong Kong Second Division League New teams in Hong Kong football league system Teams changed the name
 * Champions: Mutual
 * Bulova Rangers (renamed as Rangers)
 * Fourway
 * TSW Pegasus
 * Xiangxue Eisiti (from mainland China)
 * NT Realty Wofoo Tai Po (named as Wofoo Tai Po before)
 * Sheffield United (named as Lanwa Redbull before, from mainland China)
 * Tuen Mun Progoal (named as Workable before)

Results
All times are Hong Kong Time (UTC+8).

Round 5

 * South China is awarded a 3 – 0 win against TSW Pegasus due to TSW Pegasus used more than the allowed maximum of 6 foreign players at a time in the match.

Scoring

 * First goal of the season: Sandro for Citizen against South China (6 September 2008).
 * First own goal of the season: Ma Ka Ki (Citizen) for Fourway (18 October 2008).
 * Most goals scored by one player in a match: 4 goals – Detinho (South China) against Tuen Mun Progoal, ⚽ 50', ⚽ 60', ⚽ 62', ⚽ 69' (20 September 2008) and against Convoy Sun Hei, ⚽ 4', ⚽ 12', ⚽ 61', ⚽ 73' (14 December 2008).
 * Widest winning margin: 9 goals – Tuen Mun Progoal 0–9 South China (20 September 2008).
 * Most goals in a match: 9 goals
 * Most goals in one half
 * Most goals in one half by a single team

Discipline

 * First yellow card of the season
 * First red card of the season
 * Most yellow cards in a single match
 * Most red cards in a single match

Miscellaneous

 * Most consecutive games without conceding a goal

Top scorers
Only players scored ≥9 is shown.

Stadia
Mong Kok Stadium and Hong Kong Stadium are the primary venue for the majority of the games. Some other stadiums also will be used, including Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground, Tai Po Sports Ground and Yuen Long Stadium.

NT Realty Wofoo Tai Po has successfully applied to use Tai Po Sports Ground for their 12 home games. TSW Pegasus also applied to use Yuen Long Stadium as their home ground, but the stadium's facilities and grass turf conditions could not be modified in time for this season. However, South China AA agreed to play away at Yuen Long Stadium on 5 October 2008. HKFA chairman Leung Hung Tak later claimed that three home games will be played at Yuen Long Stadium for TSW Pegasus this season.

Xiangxue Eisiti had suggested using a stadium in Shenzhen for their home games. But due to the poor quality of the facility, the HKFA deemed it unsuitable for the First Division. Its home games will now be staged either at Mong Kok Stadium or Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground instead.