National striker Dale Tempest made an impressive return from injury by heading the equaliser in the territory's 2-1 victory over Kuala Lumpur at the Hong Kong Sports Institute yesterday. The win was a huge boost to Hong Kong before Sunday's World Cup qualifying Asian Group Six encounter against Thailand at the Hong Kong Stadium. Tempest, who missed the first two World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Thailand because of an injury to his right knee, has impressed national head coach Kwok Ka-ming. 'Dale came in after the interval and you can see he has done his job well,' said Kwok, who will announce his final 18-man squad today. 'He has his function in the team. He sparked off things for his teammates.' Tempest's close-range header came in the 77th minute from an Au Wai-lun cross, which levelled the game 1-1 after Liew Kim-tu scored for the Malaysians in the 42nd minute. South China's Song Lianyong sealed the issue for Hong Kong with a powerful long-range shot in the dying minutes. Kwok's lineup on Sunday is likely to be made up of the players who played the second half of yesterday's game - a 3-5-2 format with Tempest and Au up front. Instant-Dict forward Tim Bredbury was moved back to midfield with Hong Kong Footballer of the Year Ricky Cheng Siu-chung, Song, Instant-Dict midfielder Tam Siu-wai and right-winger Lee Kin-wo of South China. Sing Tao's central defender Chan Chi-keung, veteran Ku Kam-fai and left-back Chan Wai-chiu were in defence in front of goalkeeper Kevin Lok Kar-win. However, Tam, who has recently recovered from an ankle injury, is doubtful for Sunday's game as he is not fully fit. His position may be taken by Golden's Chiu Chung-man. Meanwhile, the 18-man Thai squad, who were expected to arrive yesterday, have postponed their arrival to this afternoon because of last-minute injuries. Two players - goalkeeper Chaiyong Khumpiam and right-winger Pongtorn Thiubthong, who started in their 2-0 victory over Hong Kong in the first leg on March 9 in Bangkok, are injured while left-back Supakit Suwannachot has been dropped by head coach Chanvit Polchivin. Reserves Worrawoot Srimaka, Chukiat Noosalong and Vimol Niumvoranuch are also dropped. Coach Chanvit, who was finalising his squad yesterday morning, said he was confident the Thais would beat Hong Kong again on Sunday. 'We are capable of winning again, though Hong Kong will have the advantage of playing on home ground,' he said. 'Hong Kong have some fast strikers but their finishing is not good enough.' Former Golden defender Marlon Van der Sander has signed with Sing Tao to replace the injured Paul Masefield.
