Who will you support - China or Hong Kong? Local football fans must decide where their affiliations lie as the 'little and big brothers' prepare for a decisive World Cup qualifier on Wednesday in Guangzhou.
For Hong Kong, only pride is at stake, but for the mainland, a convincing win is crucial as their chances of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in Germany are hanging by a thread.
China, who, assuming that Kuwait are going to beat Malaysia in Kuwait City, need to win and score at least two more goals than their Middle-East rivals. Kuwait, who have a better goal difference than China, are well-placed to advance to the final round of the Asian qualifiers. A draw or defeat would be the end of the road for China.
The match has prompted heated discussion in local and mainland media, with one newspaper, The Oriental Sports Daily, suggesting that the Chinese Football Association should lean on its counterpart in the SAR and remind it that 'blood is thicker than water'.
The implication is that Hong Kong should let China win the match, and continue their quest to qualify for the World Cup finals.
Peter Velappan, general secretary of the Asian Football Confederation, was quoted as saying: 'If there is any funny business, they'll face the music.'
