Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada to compete, with the provision that the Stanley Cup winners were to be recognized as "World's Champions". The phrase was repeatedly engraved on the Cup, and continued to be used, when the NHL began admitting American franchises. When the NHL assumed formal control of the Cup in 1947, the resulting agreement required "that the winners of this trophy shall be the acknowledged World's Professional Hockey Champions" (in contrast to the IIHF's Ice Hockey World Championships, at the time contested only by amateurs). When the World Hockey Association commenced play in the 1970s, they sought to challenge for the Stanley Cup,
2012–13 Hong Kong Season Play-off position between 2nd and 5th inclusively guaranteed places in the play-off. Qualified teams: The winners of the Senior Challenge Shield guaranteed a place in the play-off. Winners: The winners of the FA Cup will guarantee a place in the play-off. Winners: Note: Since Kitchee won the FA Cup champions, the 4th place in the league (i.e. Southern) is guaranteed a place in the play-offs, as Kitchee have qualified to the play-off. MATCH OFFICIALS MATCH RULES MATCH OFFICIALS MATCH RULES MATCH OFFICIALS MATCH RULES The scorers in the 2013 Hong Kong AFC Cup play-offs are as follows: 2 goals 1 goal