Hong Kong earn confidence booster as they hold Singapore to an encouraging draw
The city’s all-time international goalscorer nets in the opening minute before the Lion City snatch a 1-1 draw in a friendly that augurs well for crucial Asian Cup qualifier against Malaysia
Captain Chan Siu-ki scored in the opening minute against Singapore in an international soccer friendly last night as Hong Kong received a timely booster ahead of their crucial match against Malaysia in the Asian Cup qualifiers.
The hosts found the equaliser through a penalty in the second half to force a 1-1 draw. But the draw will lift Hong Kong’s confidence before they challenge the Malaysians.
“It doesn’t bother me whether I score or not, ” said the Pegasus striker Chan, formerly of South China.
“The most important thing is that I am helping my team. Even if we did not win, this was a good opportunity to sharpen our form ahead of our pivotal task [against Malaysia]. Our season has just begun and some of my Hong Kong teammates have not even played their first match in the domestic fixture because of the typhoon over the weekend,” said Hong Kong’s all-time goalscorer with 35 goals.
Defender Tsui Wang-kit, who was making his debut at international level, said both Malaysia and Singapore play a similar style and the match has given them an idea what to expect from the Malaysians next week. Although happy he made his international debut, he wasn’t too happy with his own performance.
Hong Kong will take on Malaysia at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Malacca on Tuesday, while North Korea will play hosts to Lebanon, the group leaders. Both North Korea and Hong Kong have one point, five behind Lebanon, while Malaysia are bottom of the group with one defeat so far.
