Hong Kong’s Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers delayed to June

AFC confirm dual qualifiers for Fifa World Cup and Asian Cup 2023 in China to take place in summer window

Covid-19 affected games against Iran, Iraq and Bahrain will be played at centralised venue

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Hong Kong’s James Ha in action against Cambodia in the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers at Hong Kong Stadium in November 2019. Photo: May Tse

Published: 10:29am, 20 Feb 2021Updated: 10:29am, 20 Feb 2021

Hong Kong’s Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualification matches will be played in June, the Hong Kong Football Association confirmed on Friday.

The men’s representative team’s remaining group C games – against Iran, Iraq and Bahrain – will be played in the Fifa window in June instead of March, as previously scheduled

Hong Kong are currently fourth in the five-team group on five points after five games. Mixu Paatelaine’s team stand four points ahead of bottom side Cambodia, which could see them progress to the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers.

After discussions with the five teams these remaining games of the Covid-19 affected qualification calendar will be played at a centralised venue, the HKFA announced

Coach Mixu Paatelainen with the Hong Kong team training at the Tseung Kwan O Football Training Centre, Tseung Kwan O in December 2019. Photo: Edmond So

“The matches would be held at centralised venue,” they said in a statement. “Match venues and date for the matches will be announced by AFC in due course.”