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AFC Asian Cup: Hong Kong striker Michael Udebuluzor ‘putting ego aside’ for team, pushing for Palestine start
- Hong Kong have surprised the continent with feisty displays in their first two matches, but must beat Palestine to keep knockout hopes alive
- Teenage striker Udebuluzor has started four of his seven international games but has had to settle for a bench role in Qatar
Michael Udebuluzor says he is “putting my ego aside” as Hong Kong fight to make AFC Asian Cup finals history, after the teenage striker had to settle for substitute assignments in the opening two matches in Qatar.
The city’s national side must beat Palestine on Tuesday to stand any chance of a groundbreaking knockout-round appearance, on their return to the tournament after a 56-year absence.
Udebuluzor, who made his international debut in September, played the final 17 minutes of Hong Kong’s futile pursuit of an equaliser against Iran on Saturday. In the opening defeat by United Arab Emirates, he was extremely unfortunate to have a goal scrubbed off for handball, after being introduced midway through the second half.
The 19-year-old spoke to head coach Jorn Andersen about his omission from the starting 11, but insisted team ambitions far outweighed individual concerns.
“The tournament could have been better for me, so far,” Udebuluzor said. “I would like to play more, but it is how it is.
“I just perform as well as possible when I have the chance, and I respect the coach’s decision. I am playing for Hong Kong, we have good players, I will put my ego aside and work hard for the team.”
Udebuluzor said the question over why he missed out on selection against UAE and Iran was one for Andersen.
“I asked him, he said I do not have the experience of some of the other players,” Udebuluzor said. “I do not like it, but all that matters is what is best for the team.”
Matt Orr has filled the centre-forward role, after a 15-goal season for China League One club Guangxi Pingguo Haliao earned the 27-year-old a transfer to Sichuan Jiuniu in the Super League.
The mobile Orr has the endurance of a long-distance runner, and was built to fit into Andersen’s high-pressing model. Udebuluzor, whose contract with German club Ingolstadt 04 expires in the summer, reported for a pre-tournament training camp searching for fitness after long-standing hamstring trouble.
But his cameos in Qatar have given Andersen a decision to make, with goals against Palestine imperative.
“We will give it our all,” Udebuluzor said. “I want to help by defending and attacking, and assisting and scoring goals, but I will be most happy if the team wins and reaches the next stage.
“I want to perform, not only for myself, but for the whole city of Hong Kong. It is a team sport, and getting through is what matters.”
Udebuluzor admitted the VAR call that cost him a goal against UAE was crushing, because “it could really have meant something”.
“Goal difference plays a big part in this tournament,” he said. “The feeling when I am on the pitch is amazing, I do not experience these kinds of atmospheres with my club, and I want more of it.”
Udebuluzor is in regular contact with dad Cornelius, who was a striker for Sun Hei and Rangers in Hong Kong.
“He is constantly telling me to work hard for the team, to perform and to score goals – he supports me in everything,” Udebuluzor said.
Breaking into a laugh, he added: “Sometimes he gives me tips on what I should do better, but I do not listen because he is an old guy.”
Despite twin defeats, Hong Kong have been one of the Asian Cup’s surprise packages, with their brand of fast, combative football.
For those inside the camp, however, performances have conformed to expectations.
“I believed we could be this competitive, and am not at all surprised,” Udebuluzor said.
“It is a big step to challenge these teams, if you just look at the Fifa rankings. But I told my parents, my agent, all the people around me, that we could compete.
“It did not go our way against Iran, but we can win the next game.”
Michael Udebuluzor says he is “putting my ego aside” as Hong Kong fight to make AFC Asian Cup finals history, after the teenage striker had to settle for substitute assignments in the opening two matches in Qatar.
The city’s national side must beat Palestine on Tuesday to stand any chance of a groundbreaking knockout-round appearance, on their return to the tournament after a 56-year absence.
Udebuluzor, who made his international debut in September, played the final 17 minutes of Hong Kong’s futile pursuit of an equaliser against Iran on Saturday. In the opening defeat by United Arab Emirates, he was extremely unfortunate to have a goal scrubbed off for handball, after being introduced midway through the second half.
The 19-year-old spoke to head coach Jorn Andersen about his omission from the starting 11, but insisted team ambitions far outweighed individual concerns.
“The tournament could have been better for me, so far,” Udebuluzor said. “I would like to play more, but it is how it is.
“I just perform as well as possible when I have the chance, and I respect the coach’s decision. I am playing for Hong Kong, we have good players, I will put my ego aside and work hard for the team.”
Udebuluzor said the question over why he missed out on selection against UAE and Iran was one for Andersen.
“I asked him, he said I do not have the experience of some of the other players,” Udebuluzor said. “I do not like it, but all that matters is what is best for the team.”
Matt Orr has filled the centre-forward role, after a 15-goal season for China League One club Guangxi Pingguo Haliao earned the 27-year-old a transfer to Sichuan Jiuniu in the Super League.
The mobile Orr has the endurance of a long-distance runner, and was built to fit into Andersen’s high-pressing model. Udebuluzor, whose contract with German club Ingolstadt 04 expires in the summer, reported for a pre-tournament training camp searching for fitness after long-standing hamstring trouble.
But his cameos in Qatar have given Andersen a decision to make, with goals against Palestine imperative.
“We will give it our all,” Udebuluzor said. “I want to help by defending and attacking, and assisting and scoring goals, but I will be most happy if the team wins and reaches the next stage.
“I want to perform, not only for myself, but for the whole city of Hong Kong. It is a team sport, and getting through is what matters.”
Udebuluzor admitted the VAR call that cost him a goal against UAE was crushing, because “it could really have meant something”.
“Goal difference plays a big part in this tournament,” he said. “The feeling when I am on the pitch is amazing, I do not experience these kinds of atmospheres with my club, and I want more of it.”
Udebuluzor is in regular contact with dad Cornelius, who was a striker for Sun Hei and Rangers in Hong Kong.
“He is constantly telling me to work hard for the team, to perform and to score goals – he supports me in everything,” Udebuluzor said.
Breaking into a laugh, he added: “Sometimes he gives me tips on what I should do better, but I do not listen because he is an old guy.”
Despite twin defeats, Hong Kong have been one of the Asian Cup’s surprise packages, with their brand of fast, combative football.
For those inside the camp, however, performances have conformed to expectations.
“I believed we could be this competitive, and am not at all surprised,” Udebuluzor said.
“It is a big step to challenge these teams, if you just look at the Fifa rankings. But I told my parents, my agent, all the people around me, that we could compete.
“It did not go our way against Iran, but we can win the next game.”