Kim Pan-gon slams players as Hong Kong struggle against Guam
Kim Pan-gon says the home players failed to use their brains against a side they defeated 12-0 three years ago in the same tournament
Hong Kong coach Kim Pan-gon read the riot act to his players after a poor performance saw them eke out a 2-1 win against Guam in the opening match of the East Asian Cup qualifiers at Mong Kok Stadium yesterday.
Three years ago, in the same tournament in Taiwan, Hong Kong thrashed Guam 12-0.
"We should have dominated the match with our passing game, but it never happened," said Kim, the caretaker coach who replaced Australian Ernie Merrick four weeks ago. "If we want to play better, we have to use our brains. Our execution was simply too poor.
"Guam, though, are a different side from three years ago. They're physically stronger and, unlike us, they use their brains. There's no doubt they've made tremendous progress. It's too bad we have not."
Cheered on by a home crowd of 3,000, Hong Kong got off to the perfect start when striker Chan Siu-ki found the target from a Lam Hok-hei cross after just 80 seconds. And it did not take too long before the prolific striker netted again. This time, on 17 minutes, he headed home a pass from Jaimes McKee. But that was the best Hong Kong could offer with centre half Chan Wai-ho coming closest to adding to the tally when his header hit the post shortly after the interval.
The visitors scored through Elias Merfalen 11 minutes after the break. Ryan Guy, who plays for Major League Soccer side New England Revolution, stole the ball from Lee Chi-ho and crossed for Merfalen to score.