I think it may have more to do with the fact that he was on loan at IFK Gothenburg from March 6 until July 16 in 2017 and so would have had less of a close season break last summer.
Hong Kong is, I believe, 13 hours ahead of AZ time, which would mean it is 5 hours ahead of UK time.
Albion's first game is on Saturday, 15:23 local time, which would make it 10:23am UK time (ie Saturday morning).