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AFC Asian Cup: ‘whole of Hong Kong behind us’ for make-or-break clash, Vas Nunez says
- Hong Kong preparing for final group match against Palestine that could still send them into knockout stage in Qatar
- ‘We showed that a small city like Hong Kong can turn up in the big games,’ Nunez says. ‘I think we have surprised everybody’
Vas Nunez says Hong Kong are growing more competitive with every AFC Asian Cup game, and the fire among players and supporters will drive their push for a knockout spot when they face Palestine on Tuesday.
A group of invited fans mingled with their heroes at the team hotel in Doha at the weekend, hours after a gallant showing in defeat by Iran left Hong Kong needing to beat Palestine in their final group outing to maintain their last-16 hopes.
Nunez, integral to a defensive effort that subdued the far more illustrious Iranians, said the national team’s second spirited display in Qatar added to the sense that Hong Kong are on the up.
“We deserved more. I spoke to [Iran forward] Saman Ghoddos, and he said we should have taken three points,” Nunez said. “We showed that a small city like Hong Kong can turn up in the big games. I think we have surprised everybody.”
The Hong Kong fans, reflecting on an intrepid display the night before, recalled a time before head coach Jorn Andersen took over, when their team would go on the retreat against all but the most lowly opponents. Today’s Hong Kong are bold and offensive, and we can expect more of the same against Palestine.
“Jorn has this competitive drive, and has pushed it onto the players, in training, in speeches, in meetings and during games,” Nunez, 28, said.
“This is our make-or-break moment, and these are the games you love to play: full stadiums, big pressure. I feel ready, the team seems ready. We are gassed after Iran, we have more confidence and drive. We are more competitive, aggressive and enthusiastic with every game.”
Hong Kong were roared on by 500 of their own travelling fans at Khalifa International Stadium at the weekend, and are banking on their ardent followers countering fierce backing for Palestine at Doha’s compact Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.
“We said in the changing room after Iran that we could feel the energy, I felt we had the whole of Hong Kong behind us,” Nunez said.
“This fire from the fans and the players has started up this passion for the national team. We are all feeling it. We want to take this forward, let the ball roll, and get better results in future.”
Andersen said last week that brawny centre-back Nunez was distracted by his hunt for a new employer during the pre-tournament camp.
Nunez did not dispute that he “had a lot going on in the background”, as he tried to secure a club following the end of his contract with Dalian Pro, the mainland club that folded last week. He signed for China League One side Guangxi Pingguo Haliao this month, and is now “way more relaxed and focused”.
“In training and games, my focus is always 100 per cent,” he said. “When I did not have a contract, the Hong Kong staff did not want me to train [with the team] and risk getting injured, because there was no insurance.”
Nunez, who has a Mexican mother and English father, had to wait for his Hong Kong debut after the UK Home Office bungled paperwork during his passport application in 2018.
He won his first cap in July 2022, fulfilling a dream harboured since dropping out of school because of his family’s parlous financial circumstances. Nunez and his five siblings were raised by their mother on Lamma Island.
“My family have always been behind me, no matter what,” Nunez said. “This is surreal for them – they do not see me as Vas on the big stage, a football player.
“I am just Vas from back home, one of them. We barely talk about football when I am home. It is hard to explain, but they have my back.
“My mum has no idea what she is doing online, or how to watch the streams. I send her a link before the games, and she is always sending me photos. She is super-proud.”
Vas Nunez says Hong Kong are growing more competitive with every AFC Asian Cup game, and the fire among players and supporters will drive their push for a knockout spot when they face Palestine on Tuesday.
A group of invited fans mingled with their heroes at the team hotel in Doha at the weekend, hours after a gallant showing in defeat by Iran left Hong Kong needing to beat Palestine in their final group outing to maintain their last-16 hopes.
Nunez, integral to a defensive effort that subdued the far more illustrious Iranians, said the national team’s second spirited display in Qatar added to the sense that Hong Kong are on the up.
“We deserved more. I spoke to [Iran forward] Saman Ghoddos, and he said we should have taken three points,” Nunez said. “We showed that a small city like Hong Kong can turn up in the big games. I think we have surprised everybody.”
The Hong Kong fans, reflecting on an intrepid display the night before, recalled a time before head coach Jorn Andersen took over, when their team would go on the retreat against all but the most lowly opponents. Today’s Hong Kong are bold and offensive, and we can expect more of the same against Palestine.
“Jorn has this competitive drive, and has pushed it onto the players, in training, in speeches, in meetings and during games,” Nunez, 28, said.
“This is our make-or-break moment, and these are the games you love to play: full stadiums, big pressure. I feel ready, the team seems ready. We are gassed after Iran, we have more confidence and drive. We are more competitive, aggressive and enthusiastic with every game.”
Hong Kong were roared on by 500 of their own travelling fans at Khalifa International Stadium at the weekend, and are banking on their ardent followers countering fierce backing for Palestine at Doha’s compact Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.
“We said in the changing room after Iran that we could feel the energy, I felt we had the whole of Hong Kong behind us,” Nunez said.
“This fire from the fans and the players has started up this passion for the national team. We are all feeling it. We want to take this forward, let the ball roll, and get better results in future.”
Andersen said last week that brawny centre-back Nunez was distracted by his hunt for a new employer during the pre-tournament camp.
Nunez did not dispute that he “had a lot going on in the background”, as he tried to secure a club following the end of his contract with Dalian Pro, the mainland club that folded last week. He signed for China League One side Guangxi Pingguo Haliao this month, and is now “way more relaxed and focused”.
“In training and games, my focus is always 100 per cent,” he said. “When I did not have a contract, the Hong Kong staff did not want me to train [with the team] and risk getting injured, because there was no insurance.”
Nunez, who has a Mexican mother and English father, had to wait for his Hong Kong debut after the UK Home Office bungled paperwork during his passport application in 2018.
He won his first cap in July 2022, fulfilling a dream harboured since dropping out of school because of his family’s parlous financial circumstances. Nunez and his five siblings were raised by their mother on Lamma Island.
“My family have always been behind me, no matter what,” Nunez said. “This is surreal for them – they do not see me as Vas on the big stage, a football player.
“I am just Vas from back home, one of them. We barely talk about football when I am home. It is hard to explain, but they have my back.
“My mum has no idea what she is doing online, or how to watch the streams. I send her a link before the games, and she is always sending me photos. She is super-proud.”