Hong Kong boss Jorn Andersen insisted he will make full use of his year of preparation to build a team capable of competing at the 2023 Asian Cup finals in Qatar. Under the guidance of the Norwegian – whose contract is set to run out in June – the world No 146 team have qualified for the tournament for the first time since 1968. In an interview with the Post, Andersen, however, called for supporters and critics to be “honest”. “If we see the rankings of other qualified teams, Hong Kong is among the lowest-ranked teams in the finals,” he said. “It will be very difficult for us, but we will try. “We have one year for preparation, with the five Fifa international match windows, we will try to find a team who can compete, and we will work hard to find a good system, a good playing style, one that we can compete with the other teams.” Part of his preparation will be calling up expatriates playing in the Hong Kong Premier League who are available to get their Hong Kong passports. Among them are Camargo Everton of Lee Man, and Stefan Pereira and Awal Mahama of Southern. “I am looking for players with experience playing in leagues with a higher standard, as well as a stronger intensity and physicality,” Andersen said. “This is the type of football we have to bring to Hong Kong and try to get it in the team too. It is important for the national team in the future that we are able to play harder, to run more, fight more and attack more.” Despite his options – more notably in attack – Andersen insisted he wants to use as many players who were born in or grew up in Hong Kong as possible. “I am not a coach who will use 10 or 11 naturalised players to start the game,” the 60-year-old said. “My direction is to base the team on local players, and bring the quality of the team up with certain imports. “We also have some attackers who can help Hong Kong. Don’t forget we have Matt Orr in our team, we have other strikers who are born here too. “Maybe one or two more naturalised players in every line then it will be good. My job this year is to find the best players and the best team who can compete in Qatar.” Andersen revealed the Hong Kong Football Association is working hard to arrange one home game and one away game during the international window in March, with details of the opponents to be announced soon. “For June, my wish is to play two home games at Hong Kong Stadium,” the Norwegian coach said. “With one match against a weaker team around us, and a stronger team for us so that we can show the fans we are on the way to the finals, and we want to compete with higher level teams. “September is probably the same with the opponents and in October we will be playing first-round qualifiers for the next Asian Cup in 2027.” Andersen added that he wants to take the team to the Middle East during the November international match window, so his players can get accustomed to the conditions and the time difference. “Of course, it is important to play games, but we have to train too,” Andersen said. “I do not think it is the right way to only keep playing matches, we have to train and learn too, and then we can try to use it in the matches. “For these five windows, it is a process for me too. I try to find some new players and we start with 40 and end up bringing 23 to Qatar.” Having been at the helm since December 2021, Andersen admitted it had been a “very difficult” year. “It was difficult for me as a coach with the pandemic and lots of stopping football. We did play some matches but it was never with the best possible players,” he said. “But a year together and we qualified for the Asian Cup so this is the biggest moment for us. “I hope we can have some good performances in the coming matches, get confidence, improve and be able to play my offensive, pressing and aggressive style of football, and then we can go to Qatar and maybe make a good tournament.”