Hong Kong must raise the bar fast for Asian Games: coach Liu Chun-fai
Despite a 3-1 victory against Macau, coach unimpressed with Asian Games around the corner
Hong Kong's Asian Games team showed plenty of room for improvement yesterday despite a 3-1 victory over Macau on Saturday.
The Under-23 side won the annual Hong Kong Macau Interport Cup for the third time in a row, but coach Liu Chun-fai was unimpressed.
Li Ka-yiu of YFCMD put Hong Kong ahead midway through the first half before Rangers striker Lam Hok-hei added to the tally with a double before the interval. But that was the best they could offer at Macau Stadium on Taipa island.
The players lack the initiative to attack, mentally and physically. The first half was better as we were able to control the pace
The home team slowly got back into the match in the second half, with striker Leong Ka-hang hitting the net through a long-distance lob from 40 metres out.
With less than a week before departing for Incheon - where they will meet Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in group B for a place in the knockout stage - they appear to need to pull up their socks if they want to repeat their result in the Guangzhou Asian Games four years ago when they reached the last 16.
"The players lack the initiative to attack, mentally and physically," said coach Liu. "The first half was better as we were able to control the pace.
"Perhaps they were mentally relaxed with such a comfortable lead while some of the boys had weary legs after the break as they have played a number of friendly games for their clubs recently. But still there is no excuse. The Asian Games are just around the corner and they must show a big improvement quickly."