Fifa World Cup 2026: Andersen hails Hong Kong’s ‘best yet’, praises players’ fight and mentality after Turkmenistan draw
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Jorn Andersen said Hong Kong delivered the best display of his near two-year reign in Tuesday’s rip-roaring World Cup qualifying draw with Turkmenistan.
The Norwegian head coach is wedded to an assertive, hard-running brand of football, and since his appointment in December 2021 has been up front about his desire to create a Hong Kong team in his own image.
There was initial success, in terms of results, at least, when Andersen led the city’s national team to its first AFC Asian Cup finals qualification for 64 years, in June last year.
The style of football was a slow burner, but recent signs that Hong Kong’s players are getting to grips with their boss’s demands culminated in a courageous, front-foot performance against Turkmenistan, which arguably deserved more than one point.
While the raging voice thundering into the media centre from the visitors’ dressing room next door suggested Turkmenistan head coach Mergen Orazow was stripping the paint from the walls post-match – he got stuck into the team during his press conference, too – Andersen cut a contented figure.
“We played the best game since I became Hong Kong head coach,” Andersen said. “This is what I have waited for – I said, playing against stronger and better players, we have to fight with them.