Draw not in plan as Hong Kong aims to beat Vietnam at soccer
Coach says impressive Uzbekistan showing gives squad the belief to aim even higher
Hong Kong will refuse to settle for a draw against the higher-ranked Vietnam when the two teams meet in a 2015 Asian Cup qualifying group match later this month.
After an impressive 0-0 draw away against the group's top team, Uzbekistan, in their opening match, coach Kim Pan-gon is ready for another tough task at home to maintain their hopes.
"We could go for the draw against Vietnam, who are a stronger team than us, but why not try to get three points to go top of the group," said Kim, whose side held Uzbekistan with 10 men in Tashkent last month.
We could go for the draw against Vietnam, who are a stronger team than us, but why not try to get three points to go top of the group
"Vietnam have a higher ranking [134 to 168] and their league is more competitive.
"They put in a good performance here in an international friendly last year which they won 2-1, but I always believe in my players and am sure they can do better this time."
Hong Kong moved up seven places after the draw against Uzbekistan, the fourth-best team in Asia with a ranking of 56.
Kim's 24-man squad had a training match against Sun Pegasus at Football Club yesterday, drawing 2-2, and the coach was pleased with what he saw.