Cristiano Cordeiro became a fully fledged member of the Hong Kong team yesterday when he was included in a 20-strong squad bound for Doha next week for the Asian Cup qualifier against Qatar.
The Brazilian-born player had waited almost six months before he received his SAR passport and the 33-year-old defender said he couldn't wait to wear the bauhinia colours in the group F encounter next Wednesday.
'I have waited so long for this and finally it has become a reality,' said Cordeiro, a former Hong Kong Footballer of the Year. 'I have given up my Brazilian passport and now that my new passport has finally come through, you can't call me a foreign player anymore,'
Cordeiro's inclusion in the SAR team presents a huge boost for Kenny Lai Sun-cheung's men as the South American will take his place in the heart of Hong Kong's defence. The central defender is one of two expat players to have been included on the team, joining Cameroon-born Gerard Ambassa Guy.
News of Cordeiro's inclusion also offered some consolation for his red card offence during Xiangxue Sun Hei's 2-1 defeat by Lanwa Redbull last Sunday when four Sun Hei players were given their marching orders.
'I am really looking forward to playing for Hong Kong. It was a decision I made a long time ago to try to play for the team. I'm happy everything has been sorted out, and I think I have a few good years left in me,' said the Sun Hei captain.