Hong Kong coach Gary White to put emotions aside against old team, Taiwan, in EAFF Championship
- Hong Kong begin their campaign against the islanders on the opening day of the four-team tournament
- Only one team can qualify for the finals next year, joining China, Japan and South Korea
Gary White says he won’t let his emotions get the better of him when he leads Hong Kong against his old team, Taiwan, in the EAFF Championship qualifiers on Sunday.
The new Hong Kong coach can be forgiven for feeling a bit sentimental as he returns to the very place that saw him coach the islanders for one year but he has promised to “get on with it” as he tries to end Taiwan’s seven-match home victory streak – a record White helped Taiwan set under his tutelage.
The 44-year-old Englishman took charge of Hong Kong in September and has been involved in two friendlies with a 1-1 draw against Indonesia, which followed a 1-0 defeat by Thailand.
But Sunday’s second-round match will be White’s first official match in charge as Hong Kong look to begin their EAFF campaign on a winning note.
“It’s all about competition and there will be no emotion,” said White in Taipei on the eve of the crunch game. “After the game, it would be nice to see everybody but we are here to do the job.