Asian Games: Confident Hong Kong aim for win against Afghanistan
Hong Kong hope to draw on a spirited performance against Uzbekistan in their opening game as they continue their soccer campaign in South Korea on Thursday night.
A win over Afghanistan at Ansan Wa Stadium would give Kim Pan-gon's men a realistic chance of reaching the knockout stage for the second consecutive Games, following their 1-1 draw with the group favourites Uzbekistan.
Hong Kong made it to the Guangzhou Games round of 16 four years ago before losing to Oman for a place in the quarter-finals.
"Our target is to take all three points against Afghanistan," said coach Kim.
We will try to score as many goals as possible because goal difference may be crucial for qualifying
"We have to win the game so that we can advance to the next round even if we draw against Bangladesh in the final group match.
"We will also try to score as many goals as possible because goal difference may be crucial for qualifying. If we can score an early goal, I am confident we can achieve our target."
Hong Kong were criticised by Uzbekistan for playing too defensively in the opening game, but Kim said this was unlikely to happen against Afghanistan.
"We will change our tactics and be more attack minded," he said. "We will pressure them hard and force them to make mistakes. Our team spirit is high after the first game and the boys are ready to fight."
Kim said he had watched Afghanistan in their 1-0 defeat to Bangladesh, a surprise result considering the Afghans boast several players who ply their trade in the lower divisions in Germany and Denmark.
"They are good players with good individual skills, but it seems to me they are not in peak condition. Their physical fitness is not strong enough and they need time to blend with the rest of the team," said Kim.
To adopt a more aggressive approach, Kim has made two changes from the Uzbekistan match. Forward Lam Hok-hei, who did not play in the first game, will spearhead the challenge up front, with support from Wong Wai and Christian Annan.
Midfield playmaker Ju Yingzhi, who came on in the final stages of the first match, will be in the starting line-up.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong delegation arrived in Incheon on Wednesday optimistic but cautious of bettering their medal tally from four years ago.
Chef de misson Karl Kwok Chi-leung said: "The record of the last Games is always a target for us," he said.
Hong Kong captured eight gold medals, 15 silver and 17 bronze in Guangzhou in 2010.
