Booing Hong Kong fans have plenty to cheer about after 0-0 draw with Bahrain in World Cup qualifier
- A relatively young team produce a brave performance against a strong Bahrain side, securing their second point in the group
Hong Kong fans may have booed the China anthem but they also had plenty to cheer about as a spirited home side forced a 0-0 draw against visitors Bahrain in their 2022 World Cup qualifying Asian zone clash on Thursday.
Coach Mixu Paatelainen put his faith in a number of young players who made sure they did not let the 4,500 fans at the Hong Kong Stadium down, securing their second point in group C after drawing away against Cambodia in their first match in September.
Almost half of the starting line-up was made up of up-and-coming players who the coach says will be the future of Hong Kong. Young guns such as Tan Chun-lok, Leung Nok-hang, Law Tze-chun, Tsui Wai-kit and Cheng Siu-kwan will certainly have more opportunities to prove themselves in future, while goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai also enjoyed a solid night with his acrobatic saves and earned the MVP award.
“I decided on a starting 11 who were most capable of giving us the performance [we wanted],” said Paatelainen. “They were fantastic, committed, with real desire to play for Hong Kong and for the supporters.
“The boys were organised, we’ve been developing all the time and I am glad we didn’t concede a goal today. It was a draw and we were pleased although we might have won it.”
The visitors, who upset Asian No 1 Iran 1-0 in their previous match, had more possession but lacked the know-how to unlock Hong Kong’s tight defence. In fact, a header from midfielder Roberto Affonso Jnr after a set piece by Cheng Siu-kwan almost put Hong Kong ahead but the ball sailed inches wide midway through the second half.
Bahrain coach Helio Sousa was not a happy man after the match. “We wanted to win and did everything we could to win, but were not efficient and capable to make the most of what we created and possession … we didn’t find a way to win,” he said.
“We are not happy with the final result, but we are happy with the promise the players have. We were not strong enough to score. That’s it.”
Many roads across the city were blocked on Thursday night because of protests, and riot police were present near the Hong Kong Stadium entrance. The final attendance was less than the 6,000 tickets that were pre-sold.
Hong Kong Football Association Chairman Pui Kwan-kay thanked the devoted fans for their support, though he was disappointed by the relatively low attendance – which was one-third compared with the game against Iran, which Hong Kong lost 2-0.
“The transport [problems] might have scared some of the fans as we received a number of calls in the afternoon about any refund arrangements if they cannot come,” said Pui. “The match finished a bit late and there was already no MTR in Causeway Bay and that’s why we arranged additional bus routes after the match finished.
“We know the situation was not that favourable but this is something out of our control. But with the home team performing so well tonight, we hope to attract more fans when we play hosts to Cambodia in our next home game on Tuesday.”
The FA chief said the body may face another round of sanctions from world body Fifa after fans again booed the national anthem before the match started.
“We may be fined more by the world governing body but knowing the existing political situation in Hong Kong, the fans’ behaviour is not unexpected and quite difficult to control,” he said.
