The bad weather couldn't dampen the spirits of the Hong Kong squad, who returned yesterday from Toronto after realising - only just - their dream of qualifying for the ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. Hong Kong booked the sixth and final spot for the 16-team tournament, to be played in New Zealand from January 16-30, after pipping the Netherlands and Uganda to the final berth on run rate. The six associate qualifiers will be up against the 10 test-playing nations. Coach Aftab Habib said: 'Our flight had to circle around for more than an hour because of the bad weather. It was a bit of a bumpy ride back home, but no one was worried and everyone was in a happy mood at having done the job.' Happy captain Jamie Atkinson said the players were thrilled at becoming the first Hong Kong team to make it through to a World Cup. 'The guys are absolutely delighted,' he said. 'A lot of us have played in a number of qualifiers before, but we have never made it until now. 'This is the first side to go to a World Cup and we are proud to have created history.'
