AFC Asian Cup: ‘whole of Hong Kong behind us’ for make-or-break clash, Vas Nunez says
- Hong Kong preparing for final group match against Palestine that could still send them into knockout stage in Qatar
- ‘We showed that a small city like Hong Kong can turn up in the big games,’ Nunez says. ‘I think we have surprised everybody’
Vas Nunez says Hong Kong are growing more competitive with every AFC Asian Cup game, and the fire among players and supporters will drive their push for a knockout spot when they face Palestine on Tuesday.
A group of invited fans mingled with their heroes at the team hotel in Doha at the weekend, hours after a gallant showing in defeat by Iran left Hong Kong needing to beat Palestine in their final group outing to maintain their last-16 hopes.
Nunez, integral to a defensive effort that subdued the far more illustrious Iranians, said the national team’s second spirited display in Qatar added to the sense that Hong Kong are on the up.
“We deserved more. I spoke to [Iran forward] Saman Ghoddos, and he said we should have taken three points,” Nunez said. “We showed that a small city like Hong Kong can turn up in the big games. I think we have surprised everybody.”
The Hong Kong fans, reflecting on an intrepid display the night before, recalled a time before head coach Jorn Andersen took over, when their team would go on the retreat against all but the most lowly opponents. Today’s Hong Kong are bold and offensive, and we can expect more of the same against Palestine.