AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Philippines stand in Hong Kong’s way after Nepal draw
- Ricardo Rambo’s women’s representative team knock Nepal out of qualifiers for AFC Women’s Asian Cup with goalless draw in Tashkent
- Hongkongers can qualify if they beat Malditas in Friday’s final group F game, ending 19-year wait since last appearance
Hong Kong’s women’s representative football team got off to a solid start in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign, earning a 0-0 draw with Nepal in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The result means that Hong Kong now face the Philippines in a battle for top spot and a chance to end what is an 18-year wait to play in the continental competition and will be 19 years by India 2022.
Hong Kong coach Ricardo Rambo described it as a “difficult match” because of a number of factors that saw him select an inexperienced squad with a lack of preparation matches.
“We had a completely new squad this time. Match time and a new team were both a challenge on our preparation, but I’m happy with our players’ effort. For some of them it was the first time played and they are new to the team.
“Nepal had a strong team who played three tough matches before facing us. Their match fitness was better prepared so they dominated the game but we stuck to our plan and we did well in defence, though we could create more in attack.”