Hong Kong vs Bangladesh highlights I know Oliver Gerbig probably did not deserve his two yellow cards, but I am still surprised that Ashley Westwood did not substitute him when he was carrying one card.
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/314106/ Secretary Rosanna Law considers making Kai Tak regular home for HK football team Hong Kong's Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law expressed disappointment after Hong Kong drew 1-1 with Bangladesh in their Asian Cup qualifier at Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday, while revealing plans to potentially make the venue the team's regular home ground. Wearing the "number 12 jersey" to support the team, Law praised players' relentless effort despite the draw. "Of course it's regrettable we couldn't win, but we're happy to hold on for a 1-1 draw, especially seeing Hong Kong players fighting hard and demonstrating the team's spirit," she stated. Law specifically commended players including Yue Tze-nam, Kyle Lau Ka-kiu, and Shinichi Chan for their non-stop performance. She noted Everton Camargo's lob shot narrowly missing the crossbar and defender Oliver Gerbig's red card as turning points, acknowledging "my heart sank when that happened, but that's football." The match attracted 45,000 spectators, another record attendance. Law, who cheered until becoming hoarse, thanked fans for their sustained vocal support throughout the hours-long match. Regarding venue arrangements, Law disclosed the Football Association is discussing with Kai Tak Sports Park about establishing the venue as Hong Kong's regular home ground, pending mutually reasonable and beneficial terms, with the government acting as facilitator. She confirmed continued government support for Hong Kong football, including the Premier League, noting allocated training sessions at Leisure and Cultural Services Department facilities have doubled from 127 to 252 sessions annually. Restrictions on cheering equipment at government venues have also been relaxed to enhance spectator experience. =============================================================== The problem is that HKNT only has one official home match left, the final home group match on 18 Nov against Singapore. After that we have nothing going on even if we qualify for the Asian Cup. What is there to sustain the HK fans' enthusiasm? Qualifying for 2030 FIFA World Cup won't start until sometime like Oct or Nov 2027.
I think it is more important that the players can maintain and build upon their form at club level and Westwood can start planning and strategizing against Singapore next month, knowing that in addition to Yapp Hung Fai and Oliver Gerbig as absentees, this will be a key match for them. There is still a chance that they can do it, I just hope that they planned everything right.
Another thing to add is whether the HKFA will organise a home friendly match before the Singapore fixture?
Matt Orr has received a lot of criticism despite scoring a penalty goal. He has been roundly criticized for his lack of effort on the pitch (no running, no defense) and not sticking up for his players despite being captain.
I don't have any hate for Orr, but I don't feel he is the right person to wear the captain's armband considering he isn't someone who is highly experienced within the role. If anything, I'd hand the captaincy to someone who is highly experienced and someone who knows how to motivate the players, maybe someone like Fernando for example?
Prediction: Will Hong Kong Defeat Singapore? Yes, Hong Kong is likely to win narrowly, say 2-1. Their home form, recent head-to-head dominance (unbeaten in last 5 vs. Singapore), and attacking momentum give them the edge in a tense, low-scoring affair. However, Singapore's resilience could force extra-time drama if tied late—football's unpredictability means nothing's certain until the whistle. A draw (25% chance per community polls on Sofascore) wouldn't surprise, but Hong Kong's slight ranking and venue advantages tilt it 55% in their favor. ==================================================== Grok predicts Hong Kong will narrowly defeat Singapore.
Thailand just confirmed that they will play host to Singapore on 13 November. So Hong Kong better gets a warm-up match together soon, Matt Orr maybe not the best choice of captain, but we don't have many choices. Ashley Westwood does not seem to have a very stable team. Fernando did not play away to Bangladesh; Tan Chun Lok would have been a good choice but he is not a regular starting player; neither is Philip Chan Siu-Kwan (in fact I am curious why he did not feature at all against Bangladesh). Shinichi Chan and Yu Tsz-Nam are kinda young. My choice is Philip Chan but he is out of Ashley Westwood's favour.
With Gerbig out injured, what defender should be drafted in? Clement, Tsui Wang Kit, or maybe even Jay Haddow or Tsang Yi Hang from the U23's?
I think it will be likely that either Lee Man's Dudu or Vas Nunez will pair up with Leon Jones in place of the suspended Oliver Gerbig. But if there were other candidates for the centre back role, Tsang Yi Hang would be a viable choice even though I do not know how much game time he has had so far.
I hope that Tse's injury isn't too serious, but this will be a bitter blow for Tai po's quest in the AFC Champions League 2 campaign. Their only options are Lo Siu Kei, Wong Hiu Lung and Macau keeper Ho Man Fai.
Very worrying for the HK Team. I think it is crucial they set up a friendly so that Ng Wai Him can get 90 minutes of senior team playing time. I can't believe both Yapp and Tse got injured before such a crucial clash!
I'm not entirely sure how long Tse is ruled out for, but I'm just hoping he will recover in time. If there were other goalkeepers (other than Ng Wai Him) that I could see also be in consideration at this stage, I'd go for either Lee Man's Chan Ka Ho, Rangers' Yip Ka Yu and maybe Eastern's alternative keeper Liu Fu Yuen (who is likely to deputise in place of Yapp Hung Fai until he recovers) whose had a decent performance today. I don't know if there is any point in calling up Aleks Shiilakotin who should just find any HKPL club regardless to whether it meets his standards or not. Otherwise, I do not think he is going to get any further free passes if this continues.
According to Lee Chi Kin, Tse Ka Wing's injury isn't too serious and stated that it was just a minor knock. However, Tai Po will be without Gabriel Cividini who is likely to miss out in tomorrow's AFC Champions League 2 tie against Beijing Gaoan FC.
Eastern's winless streak in this season's AFC Champions League 2 continues as they were thrashed by five goals from the home side Ratchaburi FC. Youngsters Gao Ming Ho and Fred Wong Yang both played the full 90 minutes. After watching the match, I'm not really sure if Manuel Bleda is even good enough for next month's international fixture against Singapore.
The Hong Kong national football team will host an international home friendly tie against Cambodia in November 13th in preparation for the crucial fixture against Singapore five days later.
It will be held in Hong Kong Stadium as Kai Tak will be playing host to the National Games Rugby 7s event.
I probably expect a preliminary squad list to be named either sometime this week or next week. I wonder which players will get called up, recalled or dropped?
Eastern District 0:1 Kowloon CIty Very poor refereeing throughout the match. Eastern District was quite unlucky.
Very questionable refereeing during the match especially with Favalli's second yellow and a corner kick that should had belonged to Eastern District. There is current speculation that Eastern District's Paulo Cesar is in line for a national team recall having last played two years ago under Jorn Andersen's reign.
With all due respect, a clumsy, out of shape, now 39 year old goalkeeper is not what the HK team needs now (or ever).
Here is the 34-man preliminary squad named for the November fixtures: Kitchee's 41 year old Wang Zhenpeng earned a recall having last played for the national team since 2022 under Jorn Andersen's reign. In addition, Callum Beattie who acquired his HKSAR passport is named in the preliminary squad for the first time. Oliver Gerbig is also named despite being suspended for the Singapore tie in which I probably may expect him to feature during Cambodia friendly tie only. Ma Hei Wai who has been in-form for Shaanxi Union and Michael Udebuluzor who missed out last month are also named. However, there is no place for Ng Yu Hei. There is also no call-ups for Rangers' goalkeeper Yip Ka Yu and North District's Jahangir Khan who had an impressive performance for North District against Kitchee.
Any reason why Gerbig would feature during the friendly? I thought the friendly would be a good opportunity to test out a new CB pairing and give perhaps Vas some more playing time.
Not sure, but he is likely to be suspended for the Singapore tie for sure. But I think the Cambodia friendly should either field Vas Nunez or Dudu to pair up with Jones. Tai Po's Patrick Valverde posted this on his social media with Michel Renner wearing the national team clothing. Could we possibly see them don the HK jersey and be considered as the "next generation" of naturalised players within the future?