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Hong Kong’s World Cup qualifier heroics soured after Bahrain player appears to directs slant-eyed gesture at home fans
- Bahrain coach Helio Sousa complains about Hong Kong’s time-wasting tactics
- Sousa says he did not see the gesture but insists the fans created ‘an amazing environment’
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Hong Kong’s hard-earned draw against Bahrain at So Kon Po stadium on Thursday night was tarnished by a post-match scrap and an opposition player appearing to direct a slant-eyed gesture at the home crowd.
In video footage, Bahrain’s Sayed Baqer appeared to quickly pull the gesture at jeering Hong Kong supporters before walking down the tunnel towards the changing rooms.
The match was a joint-qualifier for the Fifa World Cup 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
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Baqer – a 25-year-old defender who plays his club football for Al-Nasr SC in Kuwait – appeared upset at the time-wasting tactics employed by some Hong Kong players to see out the match and claim a vital point for the hosts.
In the post-match press conference, Bahrain coach Helio Sousa said he did not see the gesture. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” said the former Portuguese international.
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