Fifa decision to allow China to play away match against Maldives in Shenyang angers Hong Kong
Fifa's decision to allow the mainland to play Maldives' away game in Shenyang 'unfair'
Group favourites China will enjoy "double" home ground advantage against Maldives in the World Cup Asian zone qualifiers.
A letter from Fifa on Wednesday confirmed the scheduled group C match between Maldives and China on September 8 had been moved to Shenyang city, Liaoning province, at the Olympic Centre Stadium with a new kick-off time at 7.35pm.
The match was originally scheduled at Maldives National Stadium in the capital Male.
China can start both matches against Maldives at home without any disadvantage of playing away. This is absolutely not fair
Reports from the mainland said the venue in Male had been switched because of the poor pitch conditions after the Maldives Independence Day celebrations in July and both nations agreed to move the match to Shenyang's 60,000-seat venue. Their home match against the Islanders, scheduled for March 24 next year at Wuhan Sports Centre, would not be affected.
Hong Kong are leading the group with six points after defeating Bhutan and Maldives in their two opening matches at home, while China and Qatar, are tied for second with one win each.
While Hong Kong Football Association chief executive Mark Sutcliffe said yesterday the venue switch was news to him and he would look into it, even though Hong Kong cried foul.
"It would be acceptable if the match was held in a neutral place as it is still an away game for China," said goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai. "But now China can start both matches against Maldives at home without any disadvantage of playing away. This is absolutely not fair."
Defender Chan Wai-ho said Qatar could only manage a stoppage time goal to beat Maldives 1-0 in Male in June and China would probably face the same difficult situation.
"We are expecting China to lose a point against Maldives in the away match, but now this is unlikely to happen. It will definitely affect Hong Kong and other teams," said the Hong Kong captain.
Coach Kim Pan-gon said he had heard the match would be rescheduled in Thailand.
Kwok Ka-ming, former international director of the HKFA, said Hong Kong object as this would affect not only Hong Kong but other teams in the group.
But since both China and Maldives had agreed to the new arrangement, it would be difficult for Fifa to reverse the decision as they have been in similar situations in the past.
