AFC action may help Hong Kong

Hong Kong's hopes of a shock result in their next World Cup qualifier in Kuwait on June 9 are being helped by the Asian Football Confederation's attempt to get FIFA to throw its weight behind the punishment of top Kuwaiti side Al Qadisiya for their part in a mass brawl last month.

The AFC has made a formal written submission to FIFA suggesting six of the Qadisiya players be suspended from their competitions for a year. The six include strikers Bader Mutawa, who scored in Kuwait's win over Malaysia in March and found the net five times in their unbeaten run to the Asian Cup. Ali Al Namash and Nohayr Al Shammari are also members of the national squad.

Kuwait's chances at the Asian Cup in China this July have already suffered a severe blow because of the AFC's decision to ban the entire Al Qadisiya 20-man squad, including nine national team regulars, together with four players from Qatari side Al Sadd, for three years after a 14-minute long free-for-all.