Macau captain appeals to Fifa and AFC to plead for World Cup qualifier to go ahead after sudden withdrawal

Nicholas Torrao does not fear punishment from Macau FA – ‘they can come and talk to me’

Skipper says even a ‘1 per cent’ chance is worth it to chase the dreams of the fans, players and their families

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Macau captain Nicholas Torrao celebrates scoring. Photo: Twitter

Published: 12:01pm, 14 Jun 2019Updated: 12:01pm, 14 Jun 2019

“I feel until the final decision from Fifa or the AFC comes out, which would be in the next couple of weeks, let’s fight with all the chances we have,” said Macau captain Nicholas Torrao of writing to Fifa and the AFC to try to get the their World Cup qualifier second leg against Sri Lanka played.

Macau won their first qualifier for nearly two decades in the first leg in Zhuhai, China with Torrao describing their dream of getting to the second round as “50 per cent there”, before the FA pulled out of the second leg.

“These games are the most important we have and it’s only every four years,” he said. “We’re fighting for our dream and now we’re not allowed to continue it, we have to try in every way.”

Torrao, 32, decided to write to Fifa and the AFC after a sleepless night. “Football is our passion. Even though we are amateur, we have a lot of passion and give a lot of our personal time to football. All the players, they work, they have families and still they give time to football.

“We’re fighting for our passion, so whatever’s in the heart let it go on paper and let’s see what happens.”