After joining the exodus to the Gulf state, Roberto Mancini will assess its domestic talent in his first match at Newcastle’s St James’ Park, as he eyes success in January’s Asian Cup finals.

‘We have four months. We have four friendly matches. We have two games for the World Cup [qualifiers] and after we have 20 days to prepare for the Asian Cup,’ an ambitious Mancini says.

Hong Kong boss Jorn Andersen knows his team needs to start hitting the back of the net, and hopes friendlies against Cambodia and Brunei will produce confidence-boosting wins.

Talks over match are said to be at an early stage, with source confirming that a request to hold the match has been made, as build-up to Asian Cup continues.

Despite a spirited display against the higher-ranked Thais, the home side lose 1-0 and have failed to score in eight of their past 10 matches.

Away side’s coach Jorn Andersen insists Hong Kong must play ‘offensive, aggressive football’ as they test themselves against higher-ranked opposition and a familiar face in their dugout.

Despite his hat-trick in the national team’s practice match, Hong Kong-born Michael Udebuluzor will leave town after waiting in vain for a passport he applied for at Christmas so that he could represent the city.

Michael Udebuluzor is back from playing in Germany, but Hong Kong coach Jorn Andersen cannot yet select the striker to face Vietnam and Thailand this month.

Aleksandar Jankovic confident he can overcome difficulties that have blighted football in China over last 3 years to build towards January’s Asian Cup finals in Qatar.

Socceroos will return to Qatar hoping to win the continental title, having reached the last 16 in the 2022 World Cup also staged there.

Jorn Andersen’s team drawn in Group C for tournament, will face 3-time winners Iran, United Arab Emirates and Palestine. China given tricky draw, placed in Group A alongside defending champions Qatar.

Football chief Pui Kwan-kay believes ‘it will be easier for our players to adapt’ with the expected temperature similar to that of Hong Kong.

Singaporeans take lead against run of play at Mong Kok Stadium, but hosts Hong Kong equalise just before half-time then press in vain for a winner.

Hong Kong football boss Jorn Andersen reveals side will play two games in March as preparations continue for 2023 tournament in Qatar.

Norwegian thinks Kitchee, Eastern and Lee Man already have what it takes to compete against mainland counterparts and move could help raise ‘low standard’ of game in the city.

Asian Football Confederation president Shaikh Salman highlights ‘existing world-class infrastructure and unrivalled hosting capabilities’ of desert nation, which is hosting World Cup next month.

‘Lots of learning from these two games,’ says Hong Kong captain Nizakat Khan as his side suffered a tough 155-run defeat at the hands of Pakistan.

South Korea, Indonesia and Qatar left in running to host competition next summer. Football Australia bosses had previously said any bid would depend on event being moved to early 2024.

Deadline for four associations to submit bid documents is August 31, with Indonesia and Qatar also expressing an interest, according to Asian Football Confederation.

Deadline for submission of bids is in two days and Japan had previously been said to be interested.

James Johnson says tournament would clash with Women’s World Cup, which but Australia is co-hosting with New Zealand, but leaves door open for negotiations if Asian Cup dates change.

South Korea officially submitted its bid to host the 2023 Asian Cup following China’s withdrawal due to the coronavirus, the Korean Football Association said Thursday.

Coach Jorn Andersen is hoping Hong Kong’s domestic football scene can avoid any further disruptions in the lead-up to next year’s Asian Cup after the Norwegian guided the territory’s team to the continental finals for the first time since 1968.

‘We did not dare to think of it before,’ captain Huang Yang says after Philippines’ defeat sends Jorn Andersen’s side into 2023 finals before final group game.

Hong Kong coach Jorn Andersen insists his team will not change their aggressive style of play when they face India in the last Group D match in Kolkata on Tuesday night, despite only needing a draw to guarantee themselves a spot in next year’s Asian Cup finals.

The success so far has come against the odds after the fifth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic left Andersen in a race against time to prepare his team for the qualifiers.

Jorn Andersen’s side make it two wins from two in Kolkata, with the group winners to qualify for the finals – which Hong Kong have not done since 1968.

Under-23s’ Ng Wai-him flies to India on Friday night as all three goalkeepers in Kolkata have sickness or injury problems, with Hong Kong on brink of Asian Cup qualification.

‘We were not used to Indian life,’ says Jorn Andersen, who salutes team for overcoming difficulties to beat Afghanistan 2-1 in opening Asian Cup qualifier in Kolkata.