Hong Kong defender Gerbig has ‘rough start’ to Chinese Super League career, ready for World Cup qualifier clash with Iran
- Oliver Gerbig left Kitchee for Henan FC after a trio of fine performances for Hong Kong at the AFC Asian Cup finals
- Interim coach Wolfgang Luisser set to lead representative team in World Cup qualifiers against Iran and Turkmenistan
Oliver Gerbig has vowed to remain faithful to new club Henan FC despite a “rough start” to his Chinese Super League career.
The Hong Kong centre-back, who is expected to feature in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Iran, has started only three games for Henan following a February move from Kitchee.
He has played only one minute since being withdrawn at half-time of a defeat by Zhejiang FC on April 30. The team’s form has nosedived during Gerbig’s exclusion, and pressure is mounting on Nam Ki-il, the head coach.
“It has not been easy with this coach … but I think things will be better soon,” Gerbig said.
The 25-year-old had to wait until Henan’s fifth match for a start. He scored in the next game, a 1-1 draw with Nantong Zhiyun, but has been benched since, save for the abortive appearance against Zhejiang, which Gerbig acknowledged “was not my best day”.
“I had a rough start to the season,” Gerbig said. “I had no explanation from the coach [about why I wasn’t playing], and it’s been pretty frustrating. It has not been easy for a lot of the squad with [Nam].”
