Hong Kong star vowing to provide ‘more aggression’, help team up climb Fifa world rankings
City’s representative team have Hong Kong Stadium clash with the Philippines on Thursday, tackle Mauritius at Mong Kok Stadium next Tuesday
Hong Kong midfielder Jesse Yu Joy-yin said he needs to be “more aggressive on and off the ball” to nail down a starting spot in head coach Ashley Westwood’s team.
Yu was picked in Hong Kong’s past four games, initially under interim boss Wolfgang Luisser and then in Westwood’s opening two matches last month, after his five previous international appearances came from the bench.
He is vying to start home friendly clashes with the Philippines on Thursday, and Mauritius next Tuesday.
“Starting for Hong Kong has always been my goal, but it’s not enough and my performances haven’t been as good as I wanted,” Yu said. “This is a good time for me to take the next step and establish my spot.
“I need to be more aggressive on and off the ball. Off the ball, I need to raise the intensity of the game and apply more pressure to opponents.
“On it, I need to always look to go forwards. I am good at keeping the ball, but I have to be more dangerous with it. [Westwood] wants midfielders to connect the back with the front, to look forward and play the penetrating pass.
