2022 World Cup qualifiers: Hong Kong try to push Covid-19 worries aside after Iraqi tests positive
- The infected player tests positive upon his arrival in Bahrain and has been quarantined
- ‘It is out of our control and we have to rely on the organisers to provide a safe environment,’ says FA chairman Pui Kwan-kay
Hong Kong will take on group leaders Iraq in their 2022 World Cup Asian zone qualifier in Bahrain on Friday night, despite one of the Iraqi squad testing positive for Covid-19.
“We were told the Iraqi player tested positive upon his arrival at the airport in Bahrain and has since been quarantined,” said Football Association chairman Pui Kwan-kay. “That player has no contact with any Hong Kong team members at the hotel so it has given us less worry.
“But, of course, you cannot rule out the possibility that the Iraqi player may have infected his teammates before he was quarantined and Hong Kong players may be affected. But this is out of our control and we have to rely on the organisers to provide a safe environment for all participants.”
A spokesman for the Hong Kong team in Bahrain said they were told that since no other Iraqi players had showed any symptoms, the match will go ahead as scheduled.
“We can only ask the players to keep good personal hygiene, always wash your hands and put on face masks as required,” he said.
There will be another Covid-19 test for all players on Thursday, he added.
Defender Fung Hing-wa, who started in the first match against Iran last week, said they were not too concerned.
“First, we were a bit worried because we did come across many players in the hotel that do not wear masks,” said the Eastern centre back. “But then we were told the infected player did not come to the hotel with the team and we felt better. But, of course, we still have to keep good personal hygiene to protect ourselves.”
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“We have a better understanding among the players after the first game and can look forward to an improved performance against Iraq,” he said.
Iraq remain top of group C with 14 points in six matches, two ahead of Iran and hosts Bahrain. Hong Kong are still in fourth position with five points from six matches.
Only the top teams across the eight groups of the region advance to the next stage, along with the five best second-placed teams after 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar won group E but will not appear in the next round.
