Hong Kong League XI coach Kwok Ka-ming is happy to have avoided Denmark and Iran - but that doesn't mean he will be taking Uruguay lightly when the two teams clash on the opening day of the Carlsberg Cup tomorrow. Kwok will respect the South Americans' pedigree and adopt a conservative approach at the Hong Kong Stadium.
Speaking before his 26-strong squad checked into the City Garden hotel in North Point yesterday, Kwok said he will probably play a 5-3-2 formation - a tactic he has used regularly when facing a stronger side during his two terms with the Hong Kong national team.
'I still think we had a favourable draw by avoiding Denmark and Iran in the first game,' he said. 'Denmark have always played well as a team, even though the Uruguayan players might have better individual skills.
'And from what I know the Iranian players have always viewed playing for the national team as the highest honour and they will take any match, even a friendly, very seriously. You just have to look at the way they prepared for and played in the past two Asian Games, in which they twice won the gold medal, to realise what kind of a team they are.
'But having said that, I still think Uruguay are a much stronger team than we are. All I can ask from my players is to give 100 per cent and not worry about the result. And if we play a good game and still lose, I think the fans will still be happy and continue to support us.'
Kwok also confirmed that contrary to earlier reports, there would be no guest players joining the Hong Kong team that had at one point been weakened by players withdrawing due to injury and an alleged disagreement between First Division club Happy Valley and the FA.