Hong Kong coach Mixu Paatelainen picks his final 23 squad for tough Iraq in Asian World Cup qualifying
- The 52-year-old coach selects a mixture of youth and experience for the group C match in Basra scheduled for Thursday
- Hong Kong are still looking for their first victory under the Finn having recorded a draw and a loss so far in their qualifiers
Coach Mixu Paatelainen hopes a mixture of youth and experience can lift the Hong Kong team in their tough 2022 World Cup Asian zone qualifying match against Iraq in Basra on Thursday.
Given limited time to prepare his team for their crucial group C match, the Finnish boss picked his 23-member squad that will face the former Asian Cup champions in Iraq’s main port city.
Missing from the squad is injured Southern forward James Ha, who played the first two qualifying games against Cambodia and Iran. The speedster has been replaced by Eastern winger Xu Deshuai, who is making a return to the side after recovering from injury.
R&F striker Giovane de Silva, who was included in the preliminary squad, failed to make the final cut as did up-and-coming Eastern young midfielder Yue Tze-nam.
Reliable forward Sandro, along with Alex Akande and youngster Sun Ming-him, of Tai Po, will provide the ammunition up front as Hong Kong attempt to win their first match in their group. So far Hong Kong drew1-1 with Cambodia in Phnom Penh before losing to Asia’s No 1 team, Iran, at home 2-0 on September 10.