Coach cautious as HK throw hat into Olympic ring
Hong Kong coach Lai Sun-cheung sounded a cautious note as his under-23 team prepared for what is likely to be a short-lived journey on the road to next year's Athens Games.
The Hong Kong Olympic team face their Sri Lankan counterparts at Mongkok Stadium this evening (kick off at 8pm) in the first leg of the first round of Olympic qualifying, with the might of the South Koreans awaiting the winners in the next stage.
Although Hong Kong and Sri Lanka are separated by only five places on FIFA's rankings, which are based on the performances of the senior national teams, the SAR's youngsters seemingly have a significant advantage over their South Asian opponents, simply because the depth of experience they gained preparing for and playing in the 2002 Pusan Asian Games and the Ninth China National Games the year before.
''We should be better than them,'' conceded Lai. ''We've many players from the Asian Games and the National Games, so they've played together for a long time.
'It's not a bad group but some of them aren't fit enough. The teamwork and team spirit is OK, but the strength is not good. The preparation has not been so good. We've had 10 days already and our trip to the UAE for two friendlies, but we only had four sessions before going.''
The trip to the United Arab Emirates, during which Lai's team lost 4-1 to their Olympic counterparts and drew 2-2 with club side Al Shabab, robbed the squad of one of their potential weapons, striker Ho Chi-wing.
The 21-year-old Rangers forward has suffered a serious knee injury, possibly a torn ligament, which if confirmed will rule him out for the entire season. ''He made need an operation and might not be able to play for six months,'' said Lai sadly. ''He was injured in a tackle during training between the two matches in the UAE.''
In Ho's absence, Lo Chi-kwan will partner another Rangers striker, Cheng Siu-wai, who scored all three of Hong Kong's goals during the trip to the Middle East, in a varying system.
Lai wants the team to play 4-4-2 when in possession, but when the Lankans take over he's ordered midfielder Chan Wai-ho to drop back to create a 5-4-1 formation.
LINEUP
Goalkeeper: Goldbert Ko Chi-chui (Rangers). Defenders: Lee Wai-lun (Sun Hei), Ng Wai-chiu (Guangzhou Xiangxue), Lee Chi-ho (South China), Tse Man-wing (South China)/Sham Kwok-fai (Happy Valley). Midfielders: Chan Yiu-lun (Rangers), Chan Wai-ho (Rangers), Li Chun-yip (Happy Valley), Law Chun-bong (Sun Hei). Forwards: Cheng Siu-wai (Rangers), Lo Chi-kwan (Sun Hei).
