2023 Asian Cup qualifiers: Hong Kong on brink of finals after beating Cambodia 3-0
- Jorn Andersen’s side make it two wins from two in Group D in the qualifying tournament in Kolkata
- The winners of their group qualify for next year’s finals, while second place could also be enough for Hong Kong
First-half goals from Matt Orr and Sun Ming-him put Andersen’s side in the driving seat inside the first 21 minutes at the Salt Lake Stadium, and Philip Chan added a third in the 63rd minute to seal a second Group D win from two outings for a Hong Kong squad missing key players and dealing with illness and injury issues.
Victory or a draw against hosts India when the teams play on Tuesday would be enough to take Hong Kong into next year’s finals. A place could also be sealed in the event of a loss, if other results go Hong Kong’s way.
The winners of the six qualifying groups advance to the finals, which were due to be held in China next June and July until mainland Chinese authorities withdrew because of the country’s Covid-19 restrictions. A new host will be appointed later this year.
The five group runners-up with the best records will also progress. Hong Kong’s record of two wins from two would, at the moment, see Andersen’s team claim one of those berths at a minimum.
