Hong Kong young guns will stay true to team’s identity in Guangdong clash, aim to sustain Asian Cup momentum
- A youthful Hong Kong will take on a Guangdong XI at Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday
- While most of the squad comes from the under-23 side that starred at the Asian Games, seven of those who played in Qatar are also included
Coach Takuro Hosaka said Hong Kong would remain faithful to their identity when a youthful side meets a Guangdong XI at Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday.
The match is the first leg of the 42nd Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup, with the return encounter scheduled for Guangzhou next week.
Seven of Hong Kong’s Asian Cup squad are retained for the fixture, and Hosaka said the senior figures were motivated to “work and fight for Hong Kong”.
The bulk of the 22-man party, however, is formed by players from the uplifting semi-final campaign at last year’s Asian Games.
Hosaka, on media duties because head coach Jorn Andersen was travelling back from Qatar, said Hong Kong would overcome a preparation period consisting of only one training session, to adopt their familiar high-octane approach.
“The players are ready to show the same style, that is our identity,” Hosaka, whose full-time role is Hong Kong under-16 head coach, said. “When the situation is difficult, the Hong Kong team plays really hard and supports each other to try to get the best results.