Losada submits Hong Kong application, asks not to be judged on FC Seoul outcome
Interim head coach among applicants before Thursday’s deadline, says it is ‘not ideal’ for city to tackle Korean side without frontline stars
Roberto Losada confirmed he had submitted his application for the permanent Hong Kong head coach post before the deadline on Thursday, and said he should not be judged on the outcome of this weekend’s Chinese New Year Cup clash with FC Seoul.
Currently the interim boss, Losada is without most of his mainland-based players for Saturday’s Hong Kong Stadium match. He had a similarly understrength squad for the two-leg Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup, which the city team lost on penalties, around the turn of the year.
Losada is hoping that Seoul, who arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday, barely 24 hours after sharing a 2-2 draw with Sanfrecce Hiroshima that sealed their progress to the AFC Champions League Elite knockout stage, “do not bring their full force”. Organisers are expecting an attendance on par with the 20,000 turnouts for the past two editions.
“It’s not ideal playing a super-strong team outside the Fifa window,” Losada said. “It was the same against Guangdong and, of course, it’s hard.
“Seoul are one of the best teams in Asia, even if they field their reserves they’re very strong.
“I believe [local football association chiefs] should not judge me on the results of these games. More important than results is how we can develop better players.”