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Paul McNamara

Jorn Andersen put a brave face on the lopsided defeat in Uzbekistan that sealed Hong Kong’s Fifa World Cup 2026 fate on Tuesday.
The hosts did not move beyond third gear, and comfortably withstood injury blows for their two best players – opening goalscorer Eldor Shomurodov and skilful attacker Abbosbek Fayzullaev – as they progressed to the third qualification round with a 3-0 win.
The game laid bare the flaws in a Hong Kong team missing a host of frontline performers. In terms of their fitness levels, Andersen’s players have reverted to the mean, following two months back in domestic football.
Hong Kong were a shadow of the relentless unit head coach Andersen forged for January’s Asian Cup finals, following a rigorous month-long, pre-tournament camp.
Possession was habitually surrendered, with Hong Kong crying out for a midfielder capable of measuring an accurate forward pass.
On that note, Wong Wai, who has only recently returned from a long-standing groin problem, was sorely missed. Andersen was additionally without four centre-backs who would have vied for starts, and X-factor forward Everton Camargo, who has flattered to deceive in a Hong Kong jersey, but remains the best bet to unsettle quality opposition.

Hong Kong were beaten 2-0 at home by Uzbekistan last week, and are bottom of the four-team group with a solitary point.
“I am not as disappointed as after the home game, and [in Uzbekistan] we saw the difference between the teams,” Andersen said.
“We were together before the Asian Cup, and it was easier to form the team. Now, we have had two months out of contact, and we have injuries to important players, maybe that is the difference.
“We need all our best players to compete with a quality team like Uzbekistan.
“Those who played fought as much as possible. Two of the goals we conceded were very easy, but, overall, 3-0 was the right result.”
Hong Kong were uncharacteristically passive on Tuesday, perhaps a consequence of dwindling confidence, after Uzbekistan inflicted a sixth straight defeat on Andersen’s team last week. The wide forwards, Juninho and Max Poon Pui-hin, were starved of meaningful possession. Michael Udebuluzor, given the nod to start over Matt Orr, was unable to make anything stick up front.

The teenager is bubbling with raw quality and promise, and has the potential to be a key figure for years to come. Right now, however, he is playing fifth-tier football in Germany, because of a fallout with his club, Ingolstadt 04, and it showed.
“We are growing, and we learn from these games,” said Andersen, who handed a debut off the bench to forward Jordan Lam Lok-kan. “We are fighting, we have a great goalkeeper [Yapp Hung-fai, outstanding for a second straight game], and the defenders are doing well, blocking and stopping goals.
“We have to improve in front. You see how easily and quickly Uzbekistan combine up front, and we have to make it better for Asian Cup qualification next year.”
The excellent Shomurodov steered home a low delivery from Fayzullaev for Uzbekistan’s 20th-minute breakthrough. But he succumbed to an ankle injury and went off at half-time.
Fayzullaev hobbled off soon after, but his replacement, Khojimat Erkinov, scored from distance with 27 minutes remaining.

Oston Urunov, who had replaced Shomurodov, was released by a straight ball behind Hong Kong’s high defensive line to complete the scoring seven minutes later.
Andersen said he was “proud” of the band of Hong Kong supporters who travelled to Uzbekistan more in hope than expectation. “It is very difficult to a get good result here, but they followed and supported us,” he added.
Hong Kong complete their group fixtures against Iran and Turkmenistan in June.
The second fixture, in particular, is important as winning it gives the team the opportunity to climb into third position, and gain Fifa World ranking points ahead of seeding for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, which are scheduled to start next March.
With no World Cup fixtures in the international windows in September and October, Andersen said, Hong Kong would aim to arrange friendlies against “opponents around the same level”.
“We need to come down again … to win some matches, and gain some confidence,” he said.


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Struggling Hong Kong football faces game of its life

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Realistic Hong Kong coach Jorn Andersen accepts team’s World Cup fate, plots fixtures to restore dwindling confidence

Jorn Andersen rued injuries to the host of key players who missed Hong Kong’s 3-0 loss in Uzbekistan. Photo: Getty Images 

Anderson and the Hong Kong team applaud their supporters after the match. Photo: AP

Michael Udebuluzor tried hard but struggled to make an impression. Photo: AP

Eldor Shomurodov celebrates after scoring Uzbekistan’s opening goal. Photo: AP

Hong Kong tumble out of World Cup following Uzbekistan defeat, Andersen’s side well beaten by clinical hosts

Matt Orr came on as a substitute for Hong Kong, but his team were 2-0 behind before he could have any impact. Photo: Dickson Lee

The normally outstanding Tan Chun-lok surrendered possession before Uzbekistan’s first goal. Photo: HKFA

Yapp Hung-fai made a string of excellent saves to back up a fine performance five days earlier. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong striker Udebuluzor set for move after revealing ‘toxic relationship’ with club, hopes for leading World Cup role

Michael Udebuluzor says he was below par at the Asian Cup finals, but is revitalised after returning to Ingolstadt’s second team, ahead of a summer move. Photo: Xinhua

 Udebuluzor looked sharp when he came on for Matt Orr against Uzbekistan. Photo: Elson Li

Udebuluzor left Hong Kong for Germany at 14 and is open to moving elsewhere in Europe. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong boss Andersen admits gap between side and World Cup rivals is ‘too big’, laments lack of strike threat

Hong Kong’s Everton Camargo (left), will miss his side’s game in Uzbekistan on Tuesday because of an Achilles injury. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong go to Uzbekistan with a mountain to climb on Tuesday, after receiving excellent support from their home fans. Photo: Elson Li

Michael Udebuluzor (right) is in contention to start in Uzbekistan after an impressive appearance having come off the substitute’s bench. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong no match for relentless Uzbekistan, as Shomurodov and Ashurmatov settle World Cup qualifier

Hong Kong’s Everton Camargo (left) and  Uzbekistan’s Otabek Shukurov battle for the ball at Mong Kok Stadium. Photo: Elson Li

Uzbekistan’s Azizbek Turgunboev (left) knocks the ball across the face of the Hong Kong goal into the path of Eldor Shomurodov to open the scoring. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong fans cheer their team on at a packed Mong Kok Stadium. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

Chastening 0-3 defeat in Uzbekistan confirms World Cup exit, with two group matches still to play
Andersen laments absence of host of key performers, enough preparation time together as a team


Jorn Andersen acknowledges Hong Kong were well beaten in Uzbekistan and says team needs to ‘gain confidence’ again after some stern tests.


Fifa World Cup 2026

Uzbekistan

Realistic Hong Kong coach Jorn Andersen accepts team’s World Cup fate, plots fixtures to restore dwindling confidence

Chastening 0-3 defeat in Uzbekistan confirms World Cup exit, with two group matches still to play Andersen laments absence of host of key performers, enough preparation time together as a team

Chastening 0-3 defeat in Uzbekistan confirms World Cup exit, with two group matches still to play

Andersen laments absence of host of key performers, enough preparation time together as a team