Hong Kong striker Ricky Cheng Siu-chung hopes to continue his impressive goal-scoring form when the SAR begin their Asian Cup campaign today against Cambodia at Mongkok Stadium. Former Hong Kong Footballer of the Year Cheng has hit a purple patch lately. He has scored six goals in his last four games, including a hat-trick in the 4-3 victory against Mauritius in a friendly last week. Hong Kong coach Chan Hung-ping is confident Cheng will do the SAR proud against Cambodia. 'Ricky has been playing very well lately and we hope he will continue his good form against Cambodia. 'We know little about Cambodia, but we can't take any chances. We need a good head start and Ricky could provide us with that,' said Chan. The coach is also excited at the prospect of Cheng partnering either Yee Hope's Wong Chi-keung or South China forward Au Wai-lun, who has rediscovered his sharpness by scoring twice in his last two games. Au scored once against Mauritius and was also on target for his club when South China defeated Ho Chi Minh 3-0 in the second round, second leg of the Asian Cup-Winners' Cup last Thursday. But Chan will probably opt for Wong, with Au just behind the pair. Hong Kong have been preparing for the crucial Asian Cup qualifiers for about five weeks, although preparations have not gone exactly to plan. The SAR came within 12 minutes of scoring a famous victory against Shanghai in the annual Interport recently after Cheng had given his side a 2-1 lead. But a substitution blunder squashed Hong Kong hopes when reigning Hong Kong Footballer of the Year, Yau Kin-wai, was taken off and replaced by Chan Wai-chiu. Had Yau stayed on the pitch, Hong Kong might well have beaten Shanghai on their rivals' soil for the first time. Hong Kong have injuries to three of their players as the final squad was trimmed to 20 men. Defenders Wong Wai-tak and Leung Shing-kit plus midfielder Tam Siu-wai are all nursing injuries. Goalkeeper Fan Chuen-yip and midfielder Leung Chi-kui failed to make the final cut for the Asian Cup party.
