Come support the Hong Kong World Cup team, says James Ha as they embark in qualifying campaign
- Kwoon Chung Southern winger wants Hong Kong people to turn up in force as the team get ready for action in group C matches
- The 26-year-old UK-born player scored two goals over the weekend for his club but is cautious about adding to the tally against Cambodia and Iran
Speedy winger James Ha hopes Hong Kong fans can come out in force and support their team as they embark on the Asian World Cup qualifiers over the next eight days.
Returning to the senior side after a two-year absence, the 26-year-old said the team’s two forthcoming matches against Cambodia and Iran will be severe tests but he is optimistic Hong Kong can come away with encouraging results in group C.
“I am an outgoing person and I always stay positive,” said the Kwoon Chung Southern winger, who last played for Hong Kong in an international friendly in 2017. “I am happy to be part of the Hong Kong team again and also hope we can play two good matches in the coming week and provide good entertainment for the fans.
“The social unrest [in Hong Kong] has affected many people but fortunately most of my family members are not in Hong Kong so I don’t need to worry about them. My life remains pretty normal as it is all about training and resting.”
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Ha, who is better known as the “Bullet” for his speed up front, scored two goals for his club in their opening match against BC Rangers over the weekend, but the Middlesbrough-born player remains cautious of finding the net against first Cambodia in Phnom Penh on Thursday and then Iran at Hong Kong Stadium five days later on September 10.
“I’ll try to impress the coach [Mixu Paatelainen) so I can get a regular place on the team,” he said.
Ha said he learned about Cambodia through Southern teammate Zest Rehman, a Pakistan international who saw his team lose their home and away matches to the Southeast Asian nation in the previous qualifying round.
“Cambodia are supposed to be the weakest team but they have made big strides in recent times,” said Ha. “Soccer is 11 against 11 and it’s difficult to predict the result of any match even if you appear to have the upper hand.”
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Midfielder Wong Wei, meanwhile, hopes his performance in the qualifiers will help him secure a contract with a Hong Kong Premier League club.
“International games always attract people and I hope it can help secure my future,” said Wong, who has yet to find a club after leaving champions WoFoo Tai Po in the summer. “I spent the last couple of weeks training with the Chinese Super League clubs and my fitness level is fine although my form may not be as sharp as my fellow teammates who have already started playing in the league.”
