Hong Kong and China to square off in World Cup qualifier … that sparked Beijing riot 30 years ago
Dramatic draw for Asian campaign sees city placed in group C with China, Qatar, Bhutan and Maldives
History often repeats itself in football, and Hong Kong will be hoping they can replicate the Asian World Cup qualifying campaign of 30 years ago - when they stunned China - after the rivalry was renewed at Tuesday's 2018 World Cup Asian zone second round qualification draw in Kuala Lumpur.
The two teams will once again meet - drawn together in group C, a pool which also features World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar and two regional minnows, Bhutan and Maldives.
In 1985, Hong Kong upset China 2-1 at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing, a result that ended their northern neighbour's hopes of reaching the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and lead to rioting on the streets of the capital.
Thirty years on, the rematch will be on September 3 in a stadium to be confirmed, while China will come to Hong Kong on November 17.
If we can get a good result against China - because we know them well - we may be able to challenge for second place in the group
Since then, the atmosphere surrounding the fixture has been ramped-up whenever the two meet, with China desperate to avoid losing to tiny Hong Kong, now a special administrative region under Chinese sovereignty, but an independent sporting entity.
"They face a lot of pressure whenever they play against us and we can make use of this to make them hurry," said Hong Kong coach Kim Pan-gon after the draw. "Our target against China is to get a draw."
IN PICTURES: Reliving Hong Kong's famous World Cup win over China in 1985
The two sides also met in the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup finals. Hong Kong lost a tight game 1-0 at home before being trounced 7-0 in the return fixture in Guangzhou.
While both China, top seeds in the group, and Qatar, the second seeded team, will be tough propositions, Bhutan and Maldives represent distinctly more beatable opposition and Kim said he wants four wins against the minnows.
"We can target a third-placed finish in the group by beating both Bhutan and Maldives and getting draws in the remaining matches," said Kim.
"The first two games will be important as both are home matches. We need to get full points to kick off the campaign."
Hong Kong will play Bhutan on June 11 and Maldives five days later, both at Mong Kok Stadium.
Captain Chan Wai-ho said Hong Kong players' familiarity with mainland soccer could hold the key to victory.
"If we can get a good result against China - because we know them well - we may be able to challenge for second place in the group," said Chan.
They face a lot of pressure whenever they play against us and we can make use of this to make them hurry
In group B, Asian champions Australia face some lengthy journeys across Asia and will not relish returning to Jordan, where they were beaten 2-1 in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
In group D, Asia's top-ranked side Iran will be happy to be pitched against inferior sides in relative close proximity.
Group E sees four-time Asian champions Japan gifted an easy pool on paper. Syria look best placed to take the runners-up spot after some decent form, including wins over Jordan and Malaysia, but the war has ravaged sport in the country.
South Korea face a return trip to Lebanon, scene of an embarrassing 1-0 defeat in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers in group G.
The Koreans staggered through that campaign to make Brazil but should have little trouble this time with the Lebanese having gone backwards following a match-fixing scandal that broke not long after that famous win.
HONG KONG'S FIXTURES
11 June 2015 Hong Kong v Bhutan
16 June 2015 Hong Kong Maldives
03 September 2015 China Hong Kong
08 September 2015 Hong Kong Qatar
13 October 2015 Bhutan Hong Kong
12 November 2015 Maldives Hong Kong
17 November 2015 Hong Kong China
24 March 2016 Qatar Hong Kong
