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Paul McNamara

Hong Kong conclusively ended their seven-match winless run with a 3-0 victory over a rotten Solomon Islands team in Fiji on Thursday.
On a pitch that was scarcely fit for international football, Juninho opened the scoring with his first goal for the city after 22 minutes.
Matt Orr and the excellent Wong Wai scored penalties either side of half-time following hare-brained challenges in the box, before Poon Pui-hin and Orr went close to extending Hong Kong’s lead.
Wolfgang Luisser, managing the team while new head coach Ashley Westwood watched from the sparsely populated stands, gave debuts from the bench to goalkeeper Ng Wai-him, 22, and the 18-year-old pair of Timothy Chow and Ng Yu-hei.

“I am proud of the team – it was not easy to play on this ground,” Luisser said. “We had to adapt our style and did well. It was pleasing to not concede goals, and nice that some young players got their debuts.”
Hong Kong need only a draw against Fiji on Sunday to win this tri-nations competition, after the hosts beat Solomon Islands 1-0 on Monday.
Westwood and assistant Luisser may harbour concerns about sending their players back onto the rutted, bald surface at Suva’s rudimentary HFC Bank Stadium.
A second straight victory, however, would qualify as mission accomplished on a trip that the Hong Kong camp hope can begin improving their Fifa world ranking of 159.
Their steady fall from No 145 two years ago is partly attributable to especially tricky fixtures. This contest against the world’s 141st-ranked team suggested bare numbers tell only part of the story.
“It is a big target to win the tournament, because we need to do something for our ranking,” Luisser said.
Hong Kong were on top from the moment Solomon Islands goalkeeper Michael Laulae had to desperately scramble back to his line to save after letting Wong’s long-range free-kick through his legs.
Juninho had a header from Jesse Yu Joy-yin’s left-wing corner cleared from under the bar, but the Brazil-born attacker soon broke his Hong Kong duck.
A shot by Orr was blocked and Laulae pawed Wong’s follow-up directly to Junhino, who steered home for a first goal in seven Hong Kong appearances.
Orr, made captain with goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai on the bench, had waited two years and 20 matches for an international goal. A handful of chances came and went before the striker was carelessly hauled down by William Komasi.
The skipper stroked the penalty inside Laulae’s right post and celebrated by kissing the Hong Kong badge on his shirt. A hardy core of travelling fans bounced up and down on the concrete terraces.
“It is important to get back to scoring ways,” Orr said. “I am happy to help the team win and with the overall performance.
“It was a big honour to be captain. I wanted to lead from the front, work hard and show my energy and commitment for the team. I like to [lead] not only with my voice but with my actions.”
The difference in strength between the teams was illustrated by Hong Kong selecting a back four drawn from mainland Chinese clubs. They rotated in midfield, however, perhaps saving the legs of their usual energetic trio for Fiji.
The changes gave Wong a chance to excel, and the 31-year-old crowned a fine individual display by stroking a penalty into the bottom left corner two minutes after the break.

The kick was awarded after Tigi Molea stupidly crashed into the back of Juninho, as the forward controlled a low delivery from Shanghai Shenhua left-back Shinichi Chan.
Substitute Poon shot wide from eight yards and Orr saw Komasi clear his header from the line after beating the skittish Laulae to a Yu free-kick.
Alick Stanton was lucky to get away with only a yellow card following a scything challenge on Wong as Solomon Islands tempers boiled over.
Wong was replaced for his own protection, and Hong Kong cruised to the final whistle.


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The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong’s footballers finally win, Matt Orr scores at last – despite state of Fiji pitch

Wong Wai aims a shot during Hong Kong’s convincing victory over Solomon Islands. Photo: HKFA

Juninho steers a header goalwards during Hong Kong’s victory over Solomon Islands. Photo: HKFA

Assistant coach Wolfgang Luisser handed debuts to three players at HFC Bank Stadium. Photo: HKFA

Hong Kong’s new football coach Ashley Westwood has 3 aims and a warning for players, staff

Ashley Westwood said he was taking over the Hong Kong team at an opportune time. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

The first priority for Westwood (right) is Hong Kong’s world ranking. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Striker Matt Orr said Hong Kong could win both of their fixtures in Fiji. Photo: HKFA

Hong Kong No 2 Wolfgang Luisser ‘disappointed’ to miss out to Ashley Westwood for top job

Wolfgang Luisser is disappointed to miss out on the Hong Kong job but wants to remain part of the set-up. Photo: Edmond So.

Luisser (left) oversaw an encouraging performance against Iran and a gritty draw in Turkmenistan. Photo: Edmond So.

Timothy Chow (left) received his first Hong Kong call for games against Solomon Islands and Fiji. Photo: Sam Tsang

 Everton Camargo withdrew from a Hong Kong overseas assignment for the fifth time in 11 months. Photo: Elson Li.

Ex-Hong Kong footballer reveals drastic salary cuts, criticises lack of FA support

Clayton Afonso (left) in action for Eastern against Kitchee in September 2020. Photo: Chan Kin-wa.

Afonso (far right) during his appearance for Hong Kong against Bahrain in 2021. Photo: HKFA.

Afonso (left) tangles with BC Rangers’ Tomas Maronesi during a 2020 Hong Kong FA Cup tie. Photo: Felix Wong

Hong Kong football in crisis: can Jorn Andersen’s successor turn more water into wine?

Philip Chan Siu-kwan (centre) provided a high point of Hong Kong’s year when he scored at the Asian Cup, but the odds were stacked against his team. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong players celebrate beating Iran to reach the Asian Games semi-finals. Photo: Dickson Lee

Fans pack Mong Kok Stadium for Hong Kong’s clash with Uzbekistan, but that is a rare sight. Photo: Reuters

Jorn Andersen had his share of frustrations while he was Hong Kong head coach. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong players salute their travelling fans after exiting the Asian Cup in Qatar in January. Photo: AFP

Sport

Football

Newly appointed head coach Ashley Westwood watches on as representative team set up tournament decider against hosts


Newly appointed head coach Ashley Westwood watches on as representative team set up tournament decider against hosts.


Hong Kong Premier League