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Hong Kong will return to action with an October friendly against Thailand. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Hong Kong set for tricky away day in Thailand in return to action following Asian Cup disappointment

The national team hasn’t played since its defeat to North Korea in Asian Cup qualifying

Hong Kong will travel to Thailand in October as part of their preparation for the East Asian Football Championship preliminary round two.

Hong Kong’s administrative manager Liu Chun-fai said, “We need training games before the tournament and Thailand also show its interest in playing a friendly against us in the same period. We think the match can bring a positive effect.”

Hong Kong rank 142 in the latest Fifa rankings while Thailand are twenty places ahead.
Hong Kong’s Festus Baise (left) and Jean Kilama (right) in action against China during 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying. Photo: Dickson Lee

The regional event will take place in Taipei in November and will be one of Hong Kong’s major targets after failing to reach the 2019 Asian Cup finals in UAE.

There will be four teams in the event including hosts Taiwan, North Korea, Hong Kong and a qualifier from round one featuring Macau, Mongolia, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands.

The round two winner will advance to the final in 2019 to take on three regional heavyweights including Japan, South Korea and China.
Hong Kong fans cheer their team during their Asian Cup qualifying campaign. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong last met Thailand in an international friendly in Bangkok three years ago before travelling to Bhutan for a World Cup Asian zone qualifier. The Southeast Asia nation won the match 1-0 through a controversial injury-time penalty.

There will be a further international friendly against Thailand as preparation for the tournament and the Hong Kong Football Association will announce details later.
Hong Kong’s last international game was in March when they were beaten by North Korea 2-0 in their last Asian Cup qualifier in Pyongyang.
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