Learn more
AFC Asian Cup: Hong Kong ‘closing gap’ on big guns, Andersen says, after Saudi Arabia defeat
- Head coach Jorn Andersen says Hong Kong a vastly improved team after a prolonged training camp
- Despite loss in final warm-up game, Andersen believes he sees a change in players’ belief and approach
Jorn Andersen said Hong Kong have “closed the gap” on Asia’s big guns, despite his team losing 2-0 to Saudi Arabia in their final AFC Asian Cup warm-up match in Doha on Wednesday.
The Norwegian’s side begin their tournament against United Arab Emirates on Sunday, and the head coach said his players “feel like they can compete with anyone”.
Andersen made five changes from last week’s defeat by Tajikistan, but opted against risking those carrying knocks. There was, however, a return for dashing full-back Yue Tze-nam, who was kicked out of the New Year’s Day victory over China.
One of the Saudis’ goals at Al Janoub Stadium came from what Andersen felt was a soft penalty. But he looked past the scoreline to reflect on a transformational body of work over a month-long training camp.
“We have taken a big step, the players’ condition is much better, we can go long distances at a high tempo, push more, and get closer to the opponent,” Andersen said.
“The organisation in the team is much better, when pressing, and against pressing. We are not seeing it in results right now, but we have played teams that on paper are much better, and higher ranked, than us.
“The gap is much closer, the players feel we can compete against anyone, and that is a good feeling.”
A planned training session on Thursday has been cancelled in favour of recovery work, with preparation for UAE beginning in earnest on Friday.
There were hints in Andersen’s selection against Saudi Arabia towards which way he is leaning for his weekend line-up.
None of the injured centre-half trio of Helio Goncalves, Vas Nunez and Sean Tse Ka-keung were able to start. Neither Nunez nor Tse have begun any of Hong Kong’s five warm-up matches, and it might be that the unlikely duo of Oliver Gerbig and Li Ngai-hoi retain their places.
In goal, the evergreen Yapp Hung-fai started a second straight match. Andersen has latterly rotated Yapp and 24-year-old Tse Ka-wing, but the signs are pointing to the senior man getting the nod for the Asian finals.
Six players are scrapping over three forward places, and it was Matt Orr, Juninho and guaranteed starter Everton Camargo who lined up against Saudi Arabia.
Tan Chun-lok and Philip Chan Siu-kwan appear fixed in Andersen’s midfield, after both played from the start against China, Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia. Wu Chun-ming is favourite to complete the engine room, after Wong Wai, who is battling a groin problem, missed out against the Saudis.
“It was a tough game, played at a high tempo from the beginning, they have fast, high-quality players,” Andersen said. “For a long time, we played well, and attacked them.
“Maybe, in the first half we were not close enough, not aggressive in midfield. They created more than us, but not big chances. We were much closer and more aggressive in the second half.”
Losing to Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia will have no bearing on Hong Kong’s Fifa ranking, given both behind-closed-doors fixtures were counted as ‘unofficial’.
But Andersen underlined the imperative of tackling nations ranked 56th and 106th in the world, respectively, to his team’s 150th. China, who Hong Kong beat 2-1, are 79th in the standings, 15 places behind UAE, who lie in wait for Andersen’s side at Khalifa International Stadium in three days.
“Overall, I was very satisfied with the mentality [against Saudi Arabia],” Andersen added. “UAE play the same style as Saudi Arabia, we are used to this way, and I think it will be an interesting game. I hope, with some luck, we can play a good match.”
Jorn Andersen said Hong Kong have “closed the gap” on Asia’s big guns, despite his team losing 2-0 to Saudi Arabia in their final AFC Asian Cup warm-up match in Doha on Wednesday.
The Norwegian’s side begin their tournament against United Arab Emirates on Sunday, and the head coach said his players “feel like they can compete with anyone”.
Andersen made five changes from last week’s defeat by Tajikistan, but opted against risking those carrying knocks. There was, however, a return for dashing full-back Yue Tze-nam, who was kicked out of the New Year’s Day victory over China.
One of the Saudis’ goals at Al Janoub Stadium came from what Andersen felt was a soft penalty. But he looked past the scoreline to reflect on a transformational body of work over a month-long training camp.
“We have taken a big step, the players’ condition is much better, we can go long distances at a high tempo, push more, and get closer to the opponent,” Andersen said.
“The organisation in the team is much better, when pressing, and against pressing. We are not seeing it in results right now, but we have played teams that on paper are much better, and higher ranked, than us.
“The gap is much closer, the players feel we can compete against anyone, and that is a good feeling.”
A planned training session on Thursday has been cancelled in favour of recovery work, with preparation for UAE beginning in earnest on Friday.
There were hints in Andersen’s selection against Saudi Arabia towards which way he is leaning for his weekend line-up.
None of the injured centre-half trio of Helio Goncalves, Vas Nunez and Sean Tse Ka-keung were able to start. Neither Nunez nor Tse have begun any of Hong Kong’s five warm-up matches, and it might be that the unlikely duo of Oliver Gerbig and Li Ngai-hoi retain their places.
In goal, the evergreen Yapp Hung-fai started a second straight match. Andersen has latterly rotated Yapp and 24-year-old Tse Ka-wing, but the signs are pointing to the senior man getting the nod for the Asian finals.
Six players are scrapping over three forward places, and it was Matt Orr, Juninho and guaranteed starter Everton Camargo who lined up against Saudi Arabia.
Tan Chun-lok and Philip Chan Siu-kwan appear fixed in Andersen’s midfield, after both played from the start against China, Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia. Wu Chun-ming is favourite to complete the engine room, after Wong Wai, who is battling a groin problem, missed out against the Saudis.
“It was a tough game, played at a high tempo from the beginning, they have fast, high-quality players,” Andersen said. “For a long time, we played well, and attacked them.
“Maybe, in the first half we were not close enough, not aggressive in midfield. They created more than us, but not big chances. We were much closer and more aggressive in the second half.”
Losing to Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia will have no bearing on Hong Kong’s Fifa ranking, given both behind-closed-doors fixtures were counted as ‘unofficial’.
But Andersen underlined the imperative of tackling nations ranked 56th and 106th in the world, respectively, to his team’s 150th. China, who Hong Kong beat 2-1, are 79th in the standings, 15 places behind UAE, who lie in wait for Andersen’s side at Khalifa International Stadium in three days.
“Overall, I was very satisfied with the mentality [against Saudi Arabia],” Andersen added. “UAE play the same style as Saudi Arabia, we are used to this way, and I think it will be an interesting game. I hope, with some luck, we can play a good match.”