Don't destroy everything, pleads coach Haan after outcome spells end of the road for the Dutchman
Arie Haan's last act as China coach was to appeal to the football authorities not to undo all his work in the wake of the mainland's heartbreaking elimination from the preliminary round of Asia's World Cup qualifying competition.
China were eliminated after a 7-0 win over Hong Kong failed to lift the team top of their group above Kuwait, whose 6-1 victory over Malaysia gave the Gulf state a superior goal tally of just one strike. And it was that single goal that spelled the end to Haan's time in charge.
'These are the moments in sport that are difficult. Sometimes you have to accept things you don't want to. You just have to try to be stronger afterwards. It's better not to talk, just to look into the eyes [of the players] is enough,' said Haan.
'I just hope that by this one goal, not everything will be destroyed; that you won't start again from zero. It's impossible to go from nothing all the way to the top. Somewhere you'll have obstacles. Don't destroy, just come back stronger.'
It was the strangest of finales - a lose-lose situation. While China suffered an early exit that will only add fuel to the discontent of the top professional clubs, who are on the verge of attempting to form a breakaway league in protest at the corruption of match officials and the lack of financial transparency in the Chinese Super League, Hong Kong failed to follow up their brave talk.
Hong Kong captain Lee Wai-man had warned that the first 15 minutes would be vital, but it was his mistake - a sloppy return pass from Poon Yiu-cheuk - that led to the opening goal, a crisp Li Jinyu finish into the top corner.
