City on fire - Hong Kong hope to put heat on Qatar in World Cup qualifier
Fans struck by football fever ahead of crucial World Cup qualifier against the powerful Gulf side, with the HKFA chief calling for fair play
Hong Kong soccer chief Brian Leung Hung-tak says the "city is on fire" with football fever and he is hoping Qatar feels the heat in Tuesday night's World Cup qualifier at Mong Kok Stadium.
It has been a long time since soccer has been the talk of the city, Leung said, but two convincing home wins and a thrilling away draw against China in Shenzhen last week has given Hong Kong an unexpected lead in group C, ahead of the two favourites.
And if Hong Kong can keep up their good work against the Middle East giants tonight with a draw being the minimum, they can hold a surprise lead in their group before the second part of the qualification campaign.
It's like the city is on fire as everybody is watching the Hong Kong team. It proves if we can achieve good results, Hong Kong people are always behind us
Leung, the chairman of Hong Kong Football Association, said he had been overwhelmed with the response to last Thursday's performance against China and was inundated with requests for tickets to tonight's game. All tickets at the compact 6,660-seat Mong Kok venue were sold out long ago.
"It's like the city is on fire as everybody is watching the Hong Kong team," said Leung.
"It proves if we can achieve good results, Hong Kong people are always behind us. The match against Qatar will be crucial as we can keep our top position with a draw."
Leung urged the fans to keep their focus on the football and refrain from any activities against the spirit of the game and fair play, referring to booing the national anthem.
"I hope they come to support the Hong Kong team and cheer for the players not for other reasons," said Leung.
Fans booed the China national anthem before the two home matches against Bhutan and Maldives in June. Fifa then warned the HKFA, saying spectators should respect the principles of fair play.
The world governing body said it would be left with no option but to impose sanctions against the HKFA should such incidents happen again. These sanctions could include Hong Kong playing home matches behind closed doors.
Times have changed and the environment has changed. Qatar struggled in their away match against Maldives with victory only coming after a late goal in stoppage time
"I hope they will consider the Hong Kong team's interests ahead of everything, or our efforts over the past couple of months would be ruined," he said.
Honorary head of the Hong Kong delegation Chim Pui-chung will again offer HK$500,000 as a winning bonus and HK$300,000 for a draw - the same incentives offered against China last week.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong are likely to make three changes, with striker Chan Siu-ki, midfielder Lo Kwan-yee and full back Cheung Kin-fung in the starting line-up.
Qatar have a 5-0 head-to-head record against Hong Kong but coach Kim Pan-gon was upbeat about their chances.
"Times have changed and the environment has changed," said Kim. "Qatar struggled in their away match against Maldives with victory only coming after a late goal in stoppage time.
"We are a united side and the team spirit is high. With the fans behind us, it is possible we can win the match and collect all three points."
