New coach insists on attacking approach
Hong Kong tried to take the attacking route against Indonesia and failed miserably, losing 3-0 in a friendly last week. But that hasn't deterred new coach Lee Kin-wo, who vowed that all-out attack was the game plan for today's interport against Macau at So Kon Po Sports Ground.
Lee, a prolific striker in his playing days, said: 'I am sticking to the same tactics. I am confident it will work this time. We played very well against the Indonesians right up until the final stages when we ran out of steam. So, yes, I still believe the tactics were correct and we will do the same against Macau.'
Lee said Hong Kong would play a 3-4-3 system but added: 'Of course, when we are defending, the four midfielders will come back and give a hand, even the forwards have to do that.'
Happy Valley's Gerard Ambassa Guy, Cristiano Cordeiro of Sun Hei and South China's Chan Wai-ho will form the defensive triangle.
'They are all experienced and I have full confidence in them,' the coach said.
Striker Chan Siu-kei of Kitchee has just returned from an Olympic qualifying match against Syria and will probably start on the bench, with South China's Cheng Siu-wai filling his position.
Hong Kong will start their East Asian Championship qualifiers in Macau in less than two weeks, and Lee said the timing of the interport was perfect as they prepared for their opening group game against Taiwan on June 19.
'We need more competitive matches before we play in the qualifiers. Although we all know Macau are not a strong team, this is still a good training opportunity,' he said.
Macau were beaten by Hong Kong 8-1 when they last came here two years ago. Last year, when Macau hosted the interport, the match finished 0-0, though Hong Kong fielded an under-23 squad.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong's women will take on Taiwan at Mong Kok Stadium in an Olympic Games qualifier. Neither side have any hopes of making it to Beijing as North Korea and Australia are favourites in the group. Hong Kong have lost all three previous matches, conceding 35 goals.
HK interport team Fan Chun-yip, Chan Wai-ho, Gerard Ambassa Guy, Cristiano Cordeiro, Lee Wai-lun, Poon Man-tik, Leung Chun-pong, Poon Yiu-cheuk, Cheng Siu-wai, Chu Siu-kei, Lo Chi-kwan.
