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Paul McNamara

A furious Ashley Westwood said supporters who called for his head after Hong Kong drew 0-0 with Nepal on Thursday “know nothing about football”.
Head coach Westwood was jeered before kick-off by a section of the 6,092 crowd unhappy with his decision to exclude striker Lau Chi-lok from the squad.
The mood turned uglier at full-time, as fans chanted “Westwood out” after Hong Kong drew a blank for only the third time in the Englishman’s 10 matches in charge.
It was the city team’s second straight stalemate, after they drew their opening Asian Cup qualifier 0-0 in Singapore in March. They play India in their next qualifying match at Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday.
“I’ve never known anything like this in my life, these fans don’t appreciate hard work,” Westwood said. “I am not sure what they are expecting.
“We were 159 in the world when I came, they had been in a downward spiral for the past five years. In the Fifa rankings, they never moved, apart from downwards.
“Every window we improve, and climb the rankings, we’ve had seven wins and two draws out of nine. Every metric has improved. Possession, shots, crosses, corners, goals, clean sheets … every stat is up.
“We must be Brazil. It’s amazing. If people have this kind of opinion, they shouldn’t be coming.”

Asked if the strength of feeling against him would persuade him to walk away, Westwood said: “I’m not a quitter, I never would be, and I’m not going to listen to people who know nothing about football.
“How can you have that opinion from the product we’re delivering, the results we’re producing and our ranking improving? If you do, it’s telling me you don’t know football.”
Westwood has had a fragile relationship with supporters since he was appointed in August 2024.
He was met with calls for his dismissal after he lost his opening game, 1-0 in Liechtenstein, but head coach and fans were reconciled after Hong Kong swept aside Cambodia 3-0 in his next match.
The 48-year-old has been steadily implementing a fluid, possession-based model, which represents a huge departure from predecessor Jorn Andersen’s high-octane style.
Westwood has delivered results, albeit his victories have come exclusively against lower-ranked teams, other than November’s 3-1 win over the Philippines, and he is popular with his players.
Fans have largely stayed onside, but were quick to turn when Westwood omitted Lau, in favour of Spain-born striker Manuel Bleda.
I think their opinion is wrong and invalid. If you call yourself a supporter, get behind the team and manager
Ashley Westwood
The display against Nepal, which Westwood called disappointing, was an outlier among brighter recent performances. Afterwards, he did away with his custom of going to greet supporters and addressing them over a loudhailer.
“If I don’t agree with someone’s opinion I’m not going to waste my time and go over,” Westwood said.
“I think their opinion is wrong and invalid. If you call yourself a supporter, get behind the team and manager. Maybe, if we lose, they will be happy. Speak to the players, and everyone connected with the federation, and you won’t get one complaint. Only from people who have no idea about it.”
Westwood said centre-forward Michael Udebuluzor had pulled a hamstring in the second half, and he would “see what options we have” before summoning a replacement for the meeting with India.
Teenage winger Ng Yu-hei left Hong Kong Stadium in obvious discomfort, as he needed help from a member of the back-room team to walk. Yue Tze-nam, who continued to play after suffering an early head cut, was set to go to hospital for stitches.


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Furious Westwood blasts critical Hong Kong fans, says they know ‘nothing about football’

Michael Udebuluzor leaps to win a header during Hong Kong’s stalemate with Nepal. Photo: Elson Li

Westwood during the pre-match press conference where he defended the omission of Lau Chi-lok. Photo: May Tse

Hong Kong fans aim ire at head coach Ashley Westwood after poor draw with Nepal

Hong Kong midfielder Juninho fires a shot across goal during his side’s friendly against Nepal at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong’s Yue Tze-nam is sent flying during his side’s game against Nepal. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong star aims to use Chinese Super League lessons in valuable Nepal test

Sun Ming-him tries to fend off Harhys Stewart during Hong Kong’s AFC Asian Cup qualifier in Singapore. Photo: HKFA

Sun gets ready to deliver a cross during Hong Kong’s victory over the Philippines last November. Photo: Edmond So

Sun turns the ball goalwards under pressure from Singapore’s Shawal Anuar. Photo: HKFA

Sport

Football

Ashley Westwood responds after supporters demand his sacking, despite Englishman overseeing record nine-game unbeaten run


Ashley Westwood responds after supporters demand his sacking, despite Englishman overseeing record nine-game unbeaten run.


Fifa

Furious Westwood blasts critical Hong Kong fans, says they know ‘nothing about football’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Ashley Westwood responds after supporters demand his sacking, despite Englishman overseeing record nine-game unbeaten run

Ashley Westwood responds after supporters demand his sacking, despite Englishman overseeing record nine-game unbeaten run