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Paul McNamara

Ashley Westwood launched an impassioned defence of his embryonic reign as Hong Kong football head coach, as the Englishman prepared for his first match on home soil against Cambodia on Tuesday.
Supporters were critical of Westwood following Hong Kong’s 1-0 defeat by Liechtenstein last week. He has received further brickbats for biting back at those fans following a match he insisted his team deserved to win.
Westwood joked that the “people wanting to come and boo and shout at me” would swell the Hong Kong Stadium attendance for lowly Cambodia’s visit.
He was mystified, however, by fans’ condemnation of a possession-focused style, which represents a significant departure from the combative, high-pressing approach of popular predecessor Jorn Andersen.

The new coach had an ally in striker Matt Orr, who said the former Afghanistan boss was “a breath of fresh air” and insisted “this is the evolution we have been waiting for”.
Westwood, who was appointed in August, said that there was no time frame for embedding his methods, but that what he was trying to implement “was taking shape”.
“The frustration from the fans, I couldn’t understand at all, if I’m being completely honest,” Westwood said.
“We played against a really good Liechtenstein side, but people get obsessed with the rankings. They are [world No] 203, we were 159 when I got here, now we’re 157. We looked at [Liechtenstein’s] results over the past 18 months. They played Portugal twice [2-0 and 4-0 losses]. They drew 0-0 with Romania, and I’m pretty sure their manager didn’t get hammered for that.
“[Hong Kong fans] have this obsession with pressing and playing on the front foot, which is how I like to play. But when you come up against different systems, you have to come up with a game plan to win.”
Officially in charge for the first time in Liechtenstein, Westwood added: “I know football; we had 59 per cent possession in the second half.
“We had 11 attempts to their eight. One of their players [SPAL midfielder Marcel Buchel] has played for Juventus, and we dominated the game against a really good European side.
“It’s not ideal when fans aren’t totally behind what we’re trying to do, but they should understand football before they comment.
“I understand football and watch football. I’ve spoken to a lot of people high up the football chain who watched that game and, apart from scoring, it was a completely perfect game plan. That doesn’t mean it will be the same against Cambodia, because they are different opposition … the product we put on will be good.”
As part of his move to introduce a more fluent brand of football, Westwood switched the technically proficient left-sider Fernando to a fluid role in the middle of defence. The 37-year-old impressed in Liechtenstein and Westwood said he would “question the football knowledge” of anyone who thought the player did not perform well.
He underlined his faith in a group of players he said “can all pass the ball and are all physically fit and strong”.
Orr, who is poised to win his 30th cap against Cambodia, said: “With Jorn, we had a very specific style and we had some success with it … but I think some of the players and fans have been waiting for us to be more effective and use the ball more. This is the next evolution a lot of us have been waiting for.

“Training has been great … there’s been a lot of intensity and quality and it’s been really positive.”
Westwood showed his sense of humour was intact when he joked that Orr had mastered his script, but the 48-year-old emphasised the importance of delivering “a convincing performance and convincing result” against a side ranked 180.
“You can’t guarantee the result, so the performance, and carrying out my message and style, is more important,” Westwood said.
“I’m completely secure and confident in what I’m doing. The fans can say what they want. They can be patient, or not. I know we will get there and win football matches.”


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The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong football boss Ashley Westwood mystified by fans’ criticism, promises better results

Hong Kong’s players listen to head coach Ashley Westwood during training. Photo: HKFA

The players train at Hong Kong Stadium on the eve of Tuesday’s match. Photo: Paul McNamara

Poon Pui-hin (left) in action against Liechtenstein. Photo: HKFA

Escape to Hong Kong: football coach recalls terrifying evacuation from Ukraine-Russia war

A Ukrainian flag is seen in front of thick smoke in Kyiv after Russian missile attacks in September. Photo: dpa

Shakhtar are playing Champions League football this season despite the war. Photo: Reuters

A memory wall in Kyiv honours Ukrainian victims of the war with Russia. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong football team’s beach bar night out was a ‘bonding experience’, coach says

Ashley Westwood is keen to create a “good environment’ for his Hong Kong squad. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

HKFA chairman Eric Fok (left) backed the organisation’s positive stance on the night out. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Max Poon Pui-hin battles for possession during Hong Kong’s draw with Fiji in Lautoka. Photo: HKFA

Hong Kong coach slams Liechtenstein for ‘time wasting’, behaving like they ‘won World Cup’

Hong Kong’s Ngan Cheuk-pan (left) in action during the 1-0 defeat to Liechtenstein. Photo: HKFA

Hong Kong’s Poon Pui-hin (left) in action against Liechtenstein. Photo: HKFA

Matt Orr (left) tries to win a header as Hong Kong are beaten 1-0 by Liechtenstein. Photo: HKFA

Hong Kong seal tri-nations glory as late Matt Orr goal earns draw against hosts Fiji

Matt Orr scored for the second straight game to earn Hong Kong a draw in Fiji. Photo: HKFA

Michael Udebuluzor had a first-half opportunity before being withdrawn because of a back injury. Photo: HKFA

Poon Pui-hin battles for possession as Hong Kong chase an equaliser following Fiji’s early strike. Photo: HKFA

Sport

Football

City’s representative team will aim to bounce back from last week’s defeat in Liechtenstein when they meet Cambodia on Tuesday


City’s representative team will aim to bounce back from last week’s defeat in Liechtenstein when they meet Cambodia on Tuesday.


Fifa