WC 2022 Asian draw is about to commence - you may follow it live on SCMP: https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3018989/live-world-cup-2022-asian-qualifying-draw We will learn the fate of HK team soon!
Group A: Guam, Maldives, Philippines, Syria, China Group B: Nepal, Kuwait, Taiwan, Jordan, Australia Group C: Cambodia, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran Group D: Singapore, Yemen, Palestine, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia Group E: Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India, Oman, Qatar Group F: Mongolia, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Japan Group G: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, UAE Group H: Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, North Korea, Lebanon, South Korea ** Good news: Finally some fresh matches for the Hong Kong team, will be very good experience to not play China / North Korea but different styles, speeds, physicality etc of teams... Bad news: Iran, Iraq, and Bahrain are some of the toughest teams in Asia. Almost guaranteed 4th place finish here.
Just tuned into the World Cup 2022 Second Round Qualifying Draw and its going to be a very tough group for them as they have been drawn with Iran, Iraq, Bahrain and Cambodia. I could see Hong Kong getting a result against Cambodia and I think they will have a huge challenge against Bahrain, Iraq and Iran. Realistically, I think they will finish 4/5 in the group. Also talk about the chances of Group G mainly to consist of four South East Asia Teams plus UAE.
It will be a good experience and test against the more physical teams. They will need these type of bully-ball matches to get tougher. I can expect the Sep to Nov games to be very beneficial towards the EAFF Championships, where they will be used to that level of play and can definitely get results against the youth squads of China / Korea / Japan.
In other news, Gary White who formerly led the Hong Kong National Football Team's qualification for this year's East Asia Cup 2019 finals, had resigned his role from Japanese club Tokyo Verdy (which are sitting mid-table of the J2 League.) Gary White resigns as Tokyo Verdy boss, leaving them mid-table.— Tofu Bowl Media Football (@TheTofuBowl) July 17, 2019
5 teams in 4 years, he's quickly developing a reputation for not finishing the task and jumping immediately at the next opportunity....
In all honesty, it could've worse. Not much worse, but more difficult. The target should be to try to finish third and advance directly into the Asian Cup qualifying third round. If not, the road becomes much more complicated to qualify for Asian Cup.
It looks like Hong Kong's first fixture will be against Cambodia away on the September 5th and then a home fixture against Iran five days later. Anyways, here are Mixu's thoughts about the draw from an article by South China Morning Post: “It is what it is,” said Paatelainen. “When you look at the teams, Iran is the top team in pot 1 and Iraq is the top team in pot 2. Those matches will be very, very tough and Cambodia also won’ t be easy. “But I’m excited. We will go and try our best with fighting spirit and see how it goes. When you get to these kinds of draws, you are always going to be up against the best teams and it will be a good experience for us.” Source: https://www.scmp.com/sport/football...a-qualifiers-hong-kong-face-iran-iraq-bahrain
The schedule is here: Realistically there is very little chance of finishing third in this group. Hong Kong has not beaten a West Asia team for as long as I can remember. I think we lost 1-3 at home and 0-4 away to Bahrain the last time we played them. It is a good thing we play Cambodia before hosting Iran in September, because HKFA is not able to arrange a friendly between now and the two matches. So the Cambodia away game maybe considered an "easy" start to get the team up to speed. Although I believe we will lose to Iran without much doubt, at least we should be able to put up more of a fight. Add the above schedule to the East Asian Cup matches (against China, Japan and South Korea) in December, the Hong Kong national team is facing a very tough and busy year. Gary White would have relished this challenge and he did lead Chinese Taipei to a wonderful home win against Bahrain. He would still be in the job if he had stayed...
Rangers just posted a statement on their Facebook page denying that they've asked for special treatment in regards to pro/rel. They're saying that they may have to terminate their contracts with several players in order to build a competitive team for the top flight. They will make a determination as to whether they will accept the HKFA's invitation after Peter Mok returns to Hong Kong on Friday.
Given slim chances of winning, what would be your approach to the upcoming HK team games? Do we throw youngsters out there given that this is an extremely valuable learning experience - finally playing against non-North Korea and non-China teams?
I don't believe that young players should be given their chances just because they are YOUNG. Mark Tan Chun-Lok has got into the national team without much fuss as he was good enough. Age is not an issue if you are good. When you are not good enough but outside pressure means you get in the team, that's when problem starts. Anyway I believe we should always field the best 11 players available on the pitch, in order to give our opponents our fullest respect.
This will be the first time we play against Hong Kong. Refreshing to finally play new teams All the best for you guys.
Thanks for dropping in and the well wishes. I wish your team all the best, too. I am sure in time we will have plenty of questions to ask you about Iraqi football.
Given the home-and-away format, I really hope the political situations of HK, Iraq, Iran will allow the games to ahead undisturbed...!
Lee Man begins training today. They have recuited Recio, Jordi Tarres, Lee Hong-Lim and Tse Long-Him. Coach Chan Hiu-Ming hopes the older players will help the young players in his team to grow and learn from them. Lee Man lost their home ground to Eastern Longlions. They will wait for HKFA to decide where their home ground will be... which is sad.
Iraq is allowed to play home games in Basra, Karbala and Erbil since 2018. Beautiful stadiums are being built in the country.
https://hk.sports.appledaily.com/sports/daily/article/20190720/20733778 Rangers will agree promote to the HKPL, not ask for a relegation exemption and will spend $4 million. The catch? The HKFA must allow them to play their home matches in Zhuhai. _________________________ *sigh*
FT: Manchester City Vs Kitchee SC - 6:1 Manchester City convincingly thrashed Kitchee SC by six goals and Law Tsz-Chun salvaged the consolation goal for Kitchee SC.
KC Southern District is targeting a trophy in the 2019-20 season with a slightly increased budget of HK$14m. Due to the renovation of the Aberdeen sports ground, the club will be based at Mongkok Stadium for the new season.
$4million is the budget Mr. Mok will provide for the club for 2019-20 season, whatever league they play in. Philip Lee said he found a sponsor who will provide additional funding but the condition is that Biu Chun Rangers play their home matches in Zhuhai at least for half the season. Well, if R&F FC can play their home matches in Guangzhou, then I don't see why the clubs will/can object if Biu Chun Rangers want to play in Zhuhai, as long as the visiting clubs do not have to pay for any of the expenses like travel and lodging. As I have always said, the promotion/relegation system is kaput. The financial gulf between HKPL clubs like R&F FC and those in the First Division are just too huge. You simply can't promote a first division club to HKPL and expect them to suddenly have $10million + budget, which is healthy but is not competitive.
Kenneth Kwok Ka-Lok and Fung Hai-Man will be the joint head coaches of Wofoo Tai Po. Players Michael Luk and Chan Man-Fai have joined from Southern District. Sandro is staying with the club. The club confirm they will play in the ACL qualifying round.
1. Suspend pro/rel 2. Permit Rangers to play in Zhuhai 3. Promote South China and one more from the First Division 4. Have 12 teams in the HKPL for 2020-21. That's my dream scenario.