Hong Kong coach hits back at supporters, defends omission of fan favourite striker Lau
Ashley Westwood points to fact his predecessor’s left 31-year-old Rangers man uncapped too, says others may have same opinion of 18-goal man
Hong Kong head coach Ashley Westwood has hit back at supporters who have questioned his decision to leave in-form striker Lau Chi-lok out of his latest squad.
The Englishman launched a staunch defence on Wednesday of his decision to leave the 31-year-old uncapped, and pointed out that none of his predecessors had opted to pick the BC Rangers player either.
Lau was not named in the 24-man squad who will take on Nepal at Hong Kong Stadium on Thursday, despite scoring 18 goals in domestic football this season.
And with few changes expected for next Tuesday’s crunch Asian Cup qualifier against India at Kai Tak Stadium, Lau’s first cap looks as far away as ever.
Fans eager to see their hero included were left even angrier by a first call-up for recently naturalised Manuel Bleda, who has played just eight times for Eastern since he returned from a 19-month lay-off in March.
Westwood said he had “nothing against [Lau] personally”, adding the striker did not have a permanent black mark against his name.