Saudi Arabia friendly for Hong Kong’s footballers before historic Asian Cup tilt
- Five friendlies planned during Hong Kong’s month-long preparations for their first AFC Asian Cup finals appearance since 1968
- Squad will begin preparations at home, before fixtures during Abu Dhabi camp and Saudi encounter in Qatar
Hong Kong have finalised the bulk of their pre-AFC Asian Cup finals programme, with a friendly against Saudi Arabia in Doha set to complete a month-long preparation period.
The city’s national team, who have qualified for the continental competition for the first time since 1968, begin their tournament in Qatar with a game against United Arab Emirates on January 14. Jorn Andersen’s team then face Iran on January 20, and play Palestine on January 23 in their final Group C fixture.
Head coach Andersen’s squad will assemble on December 14 before spending 13 days together in Hong Kong, a period that will feature one practice match against domestic champions Kitchee and another warm-up game against opponents still to be confirmed.
Andersen and his players will transfer to Abu Dhabi on December 27 to accelerate preparations, and play another two games during their stay in the UAE capital. Tajikistan have been confirmed as the opposition for one match. Jordan pulled the plug on a planned clash, leaving the Hong Kong FA to work on arranging a second fixture.
A friendly meeting with Saudi Arabia – coached by Roberto Mancini and fancied to go deep in the competition – is set for Qatari capital Doha after Hong Kong arrive at their competition base. The date is yet to be established.
Hong Kong reached the finals after victories over Afghanistan and Cambodia last year. Andersen’s team lost to Iran in World Cup qualifying last week, but responded with a performance that the Norwegian called the best of his 19-match reign in a 2-2 draw with Turkmenistan on Tuesday.
Premier League holders Kitchee, meanwhile, have completed the signing of Uzbekistan international centre-forward Sherzod Temirov. The 25-year-old was most recently playing for Paykan in Iran, and could make his debut in Friday’s meeting with Southern at Mong Kok Stadium.
Interim head coach Kim Dong-jin said Kitchee had captured an “aggressive” talent. “We need a player like him and I am sure he will take the team to another level,” Kim said.
