Kenneth Lau
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
A last-minute goal from striker Chan Siu-ki against Bhutan gave Hong Kong a fighting chance of advancing further along the road to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The victory clinched in the 89th minute last night was not unlike Chan's performance in the East Asian Games football final in 2009. Then, Chan made it 1-1 with Japan and took Hong Kong into a penalty shootout. And that finished with Hong Kong winning their first championship.
The close-run game in Bhutan was tough going for Hong Kong. For it was played at high altitude in the Himalayan city of Thimphu and in driving rain. That Hong Kong when playing at home had beaten Bhutan 7-0 counted for nothing in this return in such challenging conditions, and the players struggled.
But Chan still had the will to win it by finding the target with a header from a corner.
The goal sent Hong Kong fans watching the game live on big screens at the PolyU campus and on Sai Wan Hill Road wild in celebration.
Chan Wai-ho, Hong Kong's regular captain but who was injured and did not travel to Bhutan, said the team's performance had been "acceptable" considering the environment. But Hong Kong still lacked attacking power, he said, and improvement is certainly needed in that department.
"But winning the match gives us lots of confidence," he added. "And the win is important because the second team in each qualifying group may advance. Every point is vital."
The three points for winning last night put Hong Kong's tally on 10 
China and Hong Kong each have two other matches remaining. Hong Kong will play against Maldives on November 13 and Qatar on March 24. China's games are against Bhutan on November 12 and Maldives on March 24.
Chan said that Hong Kong should beat Maldives but look likely to lose to Qatar while China look sure of wins against Bhutan and Maldives. So the game between them is critical.
And Chan said he believed he could be back on the pitch for November 17's big match.
He suffered a knee ligament injury against China last month when the teams fought out a 0-0 draw in Shenzhen.
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