Hong Kong played its ‘joker’ in historic football win over China, coach says

Two-goal hero who gave Hong Kong’s national team their first victory over mainland China in 29 years is making a habit of scoring at important times

‘He has speed and is now more dangerous in front of goal,’ head coach Jorn Andersen says of Kitchee ace Max Poon

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Max Poon has made telling contributions for Hong Kong in recent months. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 7:30am, 4 Jan 2024

Jorn Andersen says Hong Kong’s new goal hero Max Poon Pui-hin has become his team’s “joker” card for the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup, after the forward’s double downed China on Monday.

The Kitchee player netted twice in quick succession to lift his senior international goal tally to four from seven appearances, and only two starts.

Poon had already netted all three of Hong Kong’s goals in two home practice games last month, and been the match-winner in October when the city’s under-23s shocked Iran at the Asian Games.

And within 14 minutes of Poon joining the fray at half-time in Abu Dhabi this week, Hong Kong had gone from 1-0 down to 2-1 up, and were on the way to their first victory over China in 29 years. The 23-year-old was summoned when Brazil-born Juninho’s debut was cut short by a thigh issue.

Max Poon takes the acclaim after the 1-0 Asian Games quarter-final win over Iran. Photo: Dickson Lee

“Poon is a good ‘joker’ for us – he has speed and is now more dangerous in front of goal,” head coach Andersen said.