Many are calling for Ashley Westwood's head and I tend to agree. He did not substitute Oliver Gerbig in the Bangladesh game even though he was carrying a yellow card and Bangladesh were trying hard to equalize. In the end he got a second yellow and Bangladesh scored, costing us two points. Now when we were leading by 1-0, Singapore threw in IIhan Fandi to bolster their attack. I would have put in Ngan Cheuk Pan straight away to man mark him. But Westwood just stood there and did nothing to counter this move. There were two dangerous opportunites for Singapore even before they got their two goals, yet Westwood did nothing until 60 minute by which time it was too late. Later He said Singapore was just defending deep so he put Michael and Dudu in AT THE 90 MINUTE. He was actually WASTING OUR TIME. Honestly I could not feel that Ashley Westwood was fully committed to the cause. I would even go as far as to suggest the ICAC take a look at his incomings.
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/foot...ifier-coach-says-no-apology-needed-for-effort Hong Kong's football team missed their chance to reach the Asian Cup finals after a heartbreaking 2-1 home defeat to Singapore in their crucial Group C qualifier at Kai Tak Sports Park on Tuesday. Despite leading at half-time, Hong Kong conceded two second-half goals to lose the must-win match. Head coach Ashley Westwood described the result as devastating but said he believes he will continue in his role. "Yes I think I will be back. As I said before we improved a lot. We are competitive and not sitting back. Our possession increased to 58 percent average, we created more chances, more goals and kept clean sheets," the Englishman said. Westwood defended his late substitutions, including bringing on Michael Udebuluzor in stoppage time while trailing. "We were down 1-2, in the 81st minute we knew there would be at least seven minutes [added time] but I thought there would be more," he explained. Westwood also addressed his decision to start goalkeeper Wang Zhen-peng over Tse Ka-wing , citing the need for experience. When asked if he would apologize for failing to capitalize on their qualification chances after previously drawing with Bangladesh, Westwood was firm. "No, if you give everything there is nothing to apologize for. If we failed for some reason then of course I am disappointed. We are sorry we could not give our fans the fairytale ending we all wanted," he said. "Nobody wanted to win more than me and the team. Sometimes it is like this - the luck was not on our side, we cannot control the referee's decisions, the opponent played well," Westwood added. "Never apologize for giving everything, never apologize for improving and getting better - that is what we are doing now." =========================================================== Please just go.
I am still processing the loss, knowing for so many players (Philip, Everton etc) it was their last shot at a major tournament. The pain will not subside, but only increase as 2027 rolls around and HK is left out. 2031 is a long, long way away. What can the HK team do in the meantime? Ensure 10+ international matches per year to keep players in shape? Time to let the likes of Juninho and Stefan go, and start bringing up the youngsters?
1. It is certainly safe to say that the likes of Fernando, Wang Zhenpeng and Stefan are unlikely to continue as they are at a stage where they could call time on their international careers. The same could also apply to Everton Camargo, Juninho and Dudu as they could play for at least 1 to 2 more years, before they too may also look to call time on their careers. 2. I think it is also important that every HKPL club gives local players opportunities within the first team so that they can maintain match fitness and form. If they feel that they are not getting much opportunities with their club, they should consider pushing for a loan move to another club or a move to an overseas club. This would had been something beneficial for someone like Nicholas Benavides who despite being selected for the national team, his lack of match fitness was shown due to his limited opportunities with Tai Po. 3. It is very likely that the national team will have to rebuild going onwards and there are a couple of youngsters that are coming through the ranks who could play an integral role within the future set up of the national team. But I do feel that there is a need to ensure that they recieve sufficient resources and opportunities from their clubs in order for them to thrive. Kitchee's Jason Kam Chi Kin, Jay Haddow and Lam Pak Yin, Tai Po's Kohki Takizawa Sung Wang Ngai and potentially Hong Kong Football Club's Jack Bennie are young players that could all be involved within the future of the national team set up. 4. The HKFA should continue to scout and identify players of Hong Kong origin or local players who are playing with overseas club to the team in a similar fashion to how Michael Udebuluzor was recruited. 5. I generally do not see the process of using naturalised players slowing down anytime soon as they can contribute to bolstering the national team as long as they show that they are willing to illustrate their commitment. Tai Po's Weverton who is currently 23 and will be 28 by the time he becomes eligible although that will depend on how well he performs during the next couple of years and 16 year old William Mirwasser from Hong Kong Football Club, he will be around the ages of 22-23 when he will become eligible (although that too will depend on how well he performs and whether there is any HKPL club that are interested in his signature.) Adding to that, Tse also said he was feeling a lot of pressure which was why he was not chosen ahead of the crucial tie. I'm not sure if Tse is going to feel regret for not occupying the number one spot on the night. Also, Westwood not accepting any accountability for the loss is quite a real concern for anyone who is a fan.
Comments from SG footballing fans (both online and in person, as per Threads) and from their acting sporting minister have been absolutely classless. No respect to the SG side - I think they will forever go down as one of our biggest rivals.
I saw the video of their sporting minister and what he said about the HK fans and the players with that remark. Look I share my congratulations to the Singapore team for the making in to the Asian Cup finals, but to see the minister and some of the players saying those remarks which was really uncalled for and I'd wished they did not let their arrogant egos got ahead of them and show more respect to the national team and their fans.
He also did not apologize. He posted something along the lines of "I probably should not have said that."
https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/sport/20251120/bkn-20251120101023459-1120_00882_001.html HKNT's draw with Cambodia and defeat against Singapore has resulted in a 5 place drop in the FIFA rankings from 148 to 153.
On one hand sports minister Rosanne Law questions Westwood's tactics, on the other hand HKFA Chief Pui Kwan Kay still wants Westwood to stay.
https://www.scmp.com/sport/football...feat?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article Finally, Westwood is leaving. Thank God.
"Sources have told the Post that relations between Westwood and his HKFA bosses had become strained, and the coach had been keen to secure a job in club football even before this week’s events." Wow, so his mind was not even fully on being the HK boss. This is completely unacceptable and highly disrespectful.
Paul McNamara amended the story at 7:31 pm. It now says "Confusion surrounded the future of Hong Kong boss Ashley Westwood on Friday, with sources telling the Post he was leaving his role as head coach of the city’s football team, and officials remaining tight-lipped as speculation mounted that they were set to act." The reason is that the two sides have not yet reached a buyout of the remainder of his contract according to Sports One.
The relationship was already very strained with the fans, throw in this whole did-he-resign-or-did-he-not saga, and it has become fatal. Doesn't matter what happens now, he must go - there is no longer a way for him to stay.
I'm starting to wonder if the HKFA should had taken some suggestions from Jorn Andersen a while back? Other than that, reporters asked goalkeeper Tse Ka Wing in regards to Westwood's remarks about him "feeling under pressure" and not starting in place of Wang Zhenpeng. He claimed that he was willing to play and it was Westwood who decided to start with Wang in the end. At this stage, I really do not know what is going on anymore. Westwood still has to go regardless of the losing result.
What an absolute mess... this is doing irreparable damage to Tse's reputation as well. Curious, besides Yapp, who do we on here think is the best 2nd choice GK? What about by the time that the next round of qualifiers occur in 2027?
Good riddance. I have 0 feelings for this guy. I hope we get a good Korean or Japanese coach to replace him. I still miss the Kim Pan-Gon era.
KC Southern 2:4 Kitchee On an average weekday 341 people attended the match. I was one of them. Just want to say Aberdeen sports ground really needs a rebuild. The turf area is fine but the grandstand is so out-dated with all those pillars obstructing the views. There was no commentary box and the TV crew were setup on a temporary stand, which also obstruct spectators views. The bathroom is also too small. I guess there are also no floodlights so that's why this match was held on a weekday afternoon instead of at night.
Not quite the result Tai Po were looking for as despite Igor Sartori's first half goal, Macarthur FC fought back with two goals during the second half. The loss against Macarthur meant that Tai Po are out of the Asian Champions League 2 group stage. But fair play to the players for not celebrating and marking their signs of respect for what had happened recently in Tai Po. As for Eastern Sports Club, the same old narrative continues as the home side were thrashed by Japanese club Gamba Osaka by five goals. I am aware that Hong Kong is having a difficult time with the events that transpired in Tai Po and I wish to send my thoughts, prayers and condolences to the victims and those who were affected.
Tai Po FC did what they could with what they had available. But Eastern SC has been extremely poor in the ACL2 this season. I suppose ACL2 is too competitive for us. We are likely to fall to the AFC Challenge Cup next season. When it comes to Asian competitions, I really miss Kitchee.
Miss the times when the club signed Dejan Damjanovic and made such an impact for the club during the ACL competitions. In other news, the HKFA have announced that all fixtures for this weekend will be postponed in light of the events that had occurred within the Tai Po district and will reschedule the fixtures in due time.
Kitchee have decided to donate all revenues of the matchday tickets and the pop-up store from the upcoming Tuesday’s Premier League match against Eastern District to the Salvation Army Emergency Relief: Support for Taipo Residents Affected by the Fire. The Q&A session will also be canceled. 傑志 ᴋɪᴛᴄʜᴇᴇ vs 東區 ᴇᴀꜱᴛᴇʀɴ ᴅɪꜱᴛʀɪᴄᴛ ️ 2/12/2025 (Tue) 20:00 Mong Kok Stadium $100/$40
It has been a great tragedy. I am glad to see HK community and the HK football community come together. Sports is secondary in times like this. Hope everyone on this board is well too.