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
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.
“Poon is a good ‘joker’ for us – he has speed and is now more dangerous in front of goal,” head coach Andersen said.
“He has a good nose for goal, and his second against China was similar to the one against Iran in the Asian Games, finishing from a teammate’s header close to goal.
“It is good that we have a player with his quality in the box.”
Juninho was one of a handful of Hong Kong walking wounded after a bruising encounter in the United Arab Emirates. Despite it being an official Fifa friendly, both teams’ governing bodies cloaked the match in secrecy, releasing few details.
But official records showed Poon’s goals sandwiched a red card for China midfielder Wang Shangyuan, and his dismissal was one of three on the night for the mainlanders.
Assistant coach Marko Perovic was ordered off for dissent after 61 minutes, and the match was reduced to 11 against nine when centre-back Wu Shaocong walked for a dangerous tackle 12 minutes later.
Andersen was keen to allay fears that Hong Kong’s historic victory would come to be viewed as Pyrrhic, on account of the injuries suffered.
Captain Helio Goncalves was forced off after only 15 minutes with what was termed a “muscle problem”, but Andersen said the defender needed only a “short break”, and was likely to be ready for Hong Kong’s friendly against Saudi Arabia in Doha next Wednesday.
Right-back Yue Tze-nam, a key figure under Andersen’s hard-running style, sustained a lower-leg injury but is expected to recover quickly.
Hong Kong’s first Asian Cup finals appearance since 1968 begins against UAE on January 14, with Iran and Palestine completing Group C in Qatar.
“It was good to see [against China] we have taken a step forwards after our hard work in Hong Kong [at the training camp],” Andersen said.
“The players were very fit and aggressive, playing quicker, pressing in front and winning the ball early. We have improved a lot, and will try to play the same style in our next games.”
Hong Kong were set to face Tajikistan in another practice match behind closed doors in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, before flying to Qatar on Friday. Andersen planned to “give other players the chance to show their potential”.
Juninho was set to be rested as a precaution, and the versatile Sun Ming-him “has a cut, which allows him to train but not play”. Vas Nunez was fit after a shoulder issue and set to feature, along with fellow centre-back Sean Tse Ka-keung, who was called up this week.
A Hong Kong Football Association spokesman said Andersen would name a preliminary squad for the February 4 exhibition match against Inter Miami “in the next few days”.
In domestic football, Southern have signed 33-year-old striker Jackson Franklim de Sousa from CD Monte Carlo in Macau. Tai Po have recruited fellow Brazilian Guilherme Biteco, the 29-year-old former Gremio midfielder, from Sao Jose.
