Hong Kong national team call-ups for Kitchee’s Champions League heroes as crucial North Korea clash draws near
Tarres and Tong of Kitchee called up for Hong Kong’s do-or-die tie against North Korea with teammate Cheng overlooked
One netizen said Hong Kong would have already qualified and defeated group leaders Jeonbuk Motors of South Korea if they had Cheng in the line-up.
The 23-member squad will travel to Beijing on Wednesday for a training camp before taking on North Korea in Pyongyang next Tuesday in their last group B match.
Hong Kong can still make it to the finals in the United Arab Emirates if they can pull off a famous victory at Kim Il-sung Stadium.
Champions Kitchee still have the most number of players in the squad with six players, despite the absence of two regulars – striker Sandro is suspended from international duty for picking up two yellow cards and midfield powerhouse Huang Yang has a hamstring problem.
Hong Kong are third in the group with five points, three behind second-placed North Korea. If they can collect all three points, they can finish second in the group on goal difference.
Hong Kong drew 1-1 against North Korea in the home leg in June. Leaders Lebanon have already qualified with 13 points and host Malaysia in Beirut next week.