Hong Kong star Fernando keen to help young guns after shock recall at age of 37
Kitchee fullback had pulled out of AFC Asian Cup finals campaign in January but explains that ‘I love football, but I love my family more’
Recalled defender Fernando acknowledges he had put his Hong Kong career on the line when he declared himself unavailable for this year’s AFC Asian Cup finals.
The 37-year-old withdrew from the January tournament in Qatar to remain by the side of his wife, who was enduring a difficult pregnancy.
Fernando’s baby was born healthily and, 10 months later, he has been summoned by new head coach Ashley Westwood for friendly matches away to Liechtenstein on Thursday (Friday morning Hong Kong time) and at home to Cambodia next Tuesday.
“I know that when you say no to the representative team, sometimes they don’t [select] you any more, but I have just kept doing my job,” Fernando said.
“I said I could not go to the Asian Cup because there were some risks for my wife when she was pregnant. I could not leave her and my family.
“It was a very difficult time, but I think I made a good decision. I love football and I love playing football, but I love my family more.