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2018 Fifa World Cup Asian qualifying
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Alain Perrin seems to have written off Hong Kong's chances of an upset. Photo: AFP

China coach demands team beat Hong Kong by at least three goals in World Cup qualifier

Alain Perrin's comments sure to fire up fans still more for much-anticipated clash

China’s head coach Alain Perrin has scoffed at Hong Kong’s chances of upsetting his side in this week’s highly anticipated World Cup qualifier in Shenzhen and says he wants to win by at least 3-0.

The Frenchman’s comments, reported by mainland media, are sure to further heat up what already seems guaranteed to be a tense atmosphere.

The match will be held at the 40,000 seat Baoan Stadium in the western part of the city on Thursday, but only 27,400 tickets will be sold due to security reasons, of which 2,200 were allocated to visiting fans from across the border.

Team China are in Shenzhen to prepare while Hong Kong are currently in a training camp north of Guangzhou before leaving for Shenzhen ion Tuesday.

READ ALL OUR CHINA V HONG KONG COVERAGE HERE

Perrin said they were targeting wins in both their World Cup qualifying matches in September. China’s next game is an ‘away’ game against the Maldives which has bizarrely been relocated to Shenyang in Northern China – rather than a neutral venue – after the Maldives said their home ground’s pitch wasn’t good enough to play on.

“Our target is to collect six points in the two matches and to score as many goals as possible against the weaker teams,” said the Frenchman. “Our biggest threat of the group definitely comes from Qatar.

Our target is to collect six points in the two matches and to score as many goals as possible against the weaker teams
Alain Perrin

“But we never underestimate any of our opponents. Hong Kong have naturalised players who are very powerful with a strong desire to win.

“They have also got some players who are playing in the Chinese leagues. We need to cope with them by adopting specific tactics.”

Hong Kong currently lead the group with six points from their first two games against minnows Bhutan and Maldives, in which they scored nine goals and conceded one.

Head coach Kim Pan-gon will be happy with a draw against the giant neighbours, 72 places above Hong Kong in the Fifa rankings.

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