Tuesday, September 08, 2015
Hong Kong face a big challenge to stifle Qatar's attack in their football World Cup qualifier at Mong Kok Stadium tonight.
High on confidence after frustrating China in a goalless draw last weekend, Kim Pan Gon's men expect to have their hands full defending against a Qatari side ranked 57 places above Hong Kong in the world rankings.
Qatar also go into the Group C match on the back of a 15-0 win over minnows Bhutan, with Ghana-born striker Mohammed Muntari scoring a hat-trick.
Unbeaten Hong Kong top the group on seven points, one clear of Qatar, who have a game in hand.
Kim said he has watched many videos of Qatar matches and while he acknowledged the strength of the visitors the coach remains hopeful that Hong Kong can come away from the game with a point.
His hope stems from the fact that Qatar could only manage a 1-0 win over Maldives in their opening fixture. Hong Kong beat Maldives 2-0 at home.
Kim can also feel encouraged by the form of goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai, Hong Kong's hero in the goalless draw in Qingdao.
China, meanwhile, will take on Maldives in Shenyang tonight. Malaysia's football chief announced plans to step down after a record 10-0 defeat by the UAE which cost the coach his job and prompted the sports minister to threaten to suspend the country's football body.
Football Association of Malaysia president Tengku Abdullah Ahmad Shah said he would gradually step aside. "I will step down in stages because there are a lot more matters that I have to complete," he said.
Coach Dollah Salleh had already resigned after Malaysia's worst loss in history.
Malaysia were also held 1-1 at home by lowly East Timor and lost 6-0 to Palestine earlier in the campaign.
NG KA-KI, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
More football: Page 31
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