Black, white or yellow, we're all Hong Kong, say players as they shrug off Chinese FA ad
National team players say poster focusing on skin colour shows World Cup rivals are running scared
Hong Kong's players scoffed at a poster issued by the Chinese Football Association which warned fans not to underestimate the "black skin, white skin, yellow skin" players, saying it suggested China were running scared ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers between the SAR and 'big brother'.
The reason not to underestimate Qatar was the country's wealth; Bhutan - bizarrely - because one of their players is an airline pilot.
See all of the China FA's odd posters here
For Hong Kong, who China play on September 3 in Shenzhen, it was the team's different skin colours, saying China must be wary of such a 'layered' or 'diverse' team.
Once we are on the field of play, it does not matter which colour we are, black, white or whatever as long as we are members of the Hong Kong team
"Once we are on the field of play, it does not matter which colour we are, black, white or whatever as long as we are members of the Hong Kong team," said the Ghana-born player.
"I think in a way it is a good thing that the Hong Kong team are being proclaimed like this - it means they have to be aware of us.
"In the end soccer is a mind game and we don't care about this kind of thing. We just concentrate on our matches and it will push us to work hard when people try to say something to bring you down."