Hong Kong’s secretive preparations for EAFF qualifier, as No 1 Yapp Hung-fai eyes history

A ring of steel erected around Hong Kong’s East Asian Football Federation Championship (EAFF) qualifier preparations has meant a muted build-up to Yapp Hung-fai winning his history-making 100th representative team cap.

The lack of fanfare will suit humble goalkeeper Yapp, who has been reluctant to talk about becoming the first Hong Kong player to reach the century landmark, for fear of hexing himself and being stranded on 99 appearances.

Nearly 15 years after his debut, in February 2010, the 34-year-old should move into three figures when Hong Kong host Mongolia at Mong Kok Stadium on Sunday. Ashley Westwood’s team meet Chinese Taipei at the same venue next Saturday, with the winners of the three-team group facing either Macau or Guam on December 17 for the right to go to next year’s EAFF finals.

Yapp said reaching 100 caps would be a “great achievement”, and added that the highlight of his Hong Kong career was playing at the AFC Asian Cup finals in Qatar this year.

“It was the first time for me and for the Hong Kong team to play at that level, so it was memorable for everyone,” Yapp said. “We have to play more games against high-level sides to see the distance between us and them.”

EAFF finals qualification would bring matches against Japan, China and hosts South Korea next July. Hong Kong’s chances of advancing have been aided by North Korea’s withdrawal from the qualifiers, with Chinese Taipei, under the charge of former Hong Kong boss Gary White, the biggest barrier to progress.