Hong Kong send SOS to fourth-choice goalkeeper as sickness ravages squad in India ahead of crucial Asian Cup qualifier
- Under-23s’ Ng Wai-him flies to India on Friday night as all three goalkeepers in Kolkata have sickness or injury problems
- After beating Afghanistan, victory over Cambodia on Saturday will all but seal an Asian Cup spot for first time in over 50 years
A patched-up Hong Kong team were forced to send an SOS back home for a fourth-choice goalkeeper ahead of their 2023 Asian Cup qualifying match against Cambodia in Kolkata on Saturday, where victory is likely to put them through to the continental cup for the first time in over 50 years.
Goalkeeper Ng Wai-him of Kwun Chung Southern flew to India on Friday night soon after obtaining an entry visa, with the squad’s three goalkeepers in India picking up injuries or sickness problems.
Third-choice Wang Zhenpeng of Kitchee started between the posts in Hong Kong’s first match against Afghanistan on Wednesday, ahead of regular No 1 Yapp Hung-fai, and Wang’s clubmate Paulo Argolo.
A spate of sickness has hit the squad in Kolkata, with some players suffering from diarrhoea, fever and headaches, coupled with five members of the travelling party – two players and three officials – testing positive for Covid-19.
All three goalkeepers had suffered problems, with Wang having the least severe symptoms among them, prompting a dramatic call-up for Ng – a member of the city’s under-23 squad that has been training for next month’s EAFF Championships in Japan.