Fifa World Cup 2026: Hong Kong head coach Jorn Andersen criticises broadcasters for Iran snub
- Andersen planning raft of changes for next Tuesday’s meeting with Turkmenistan after defeat in Iran – but Juninho unlikely to feature
- Norwegian says that Hong Kong has to be ‘more professional to support football’ after television companies ignore Thursday night’s match
Jorn Andersen was hoping to make wholesale changes for Hong Kong’s World Cup qualifier with Turkmenistan on Tuesday, after his side lost their opening Group E fixture 4-0 in Iran.
The head coach, who criticised television companies in Hong Kong for not screening Thursday night’s match, admitted he put a premium on “mentality” when choosing his team in Tehran.
Quality is the watchword regarding selection for Turkmenistan, a game Andersen has targeted for points, amid a daunting run of fixtures.
The Norwegian was losing hope over Kitchee striker Juninho receiving a passport in time to play, while fellow Brazil-born players Stefan Pereira and Dudu are still waiting to complete their respective naturalisation processes.
Andersen tinkered with his side for the meeting with Iran, most notably leaving 19-year-old striker Michael Udebuluzor on the bench. He was without the trio of Everton Camargo, Helio Goncalves and Fernando, who have all been added to the squad for Tuesday.
“Turkmenistan is the most important game in this period, we did not have much chance in Iran,” Andersen told the Post.