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AFC Asian Cup: Andersen maintains Hong Kong last-16 ambition, ‘proud’ of players after pushing Iran close
- Hong Kong fell to a goal from Mehdi Ghayedi at Khalifa International Stadium
- Victory over Palestine on Tuesday a must for Jorn Andersen’s team to advance in Qatar
Jorn Andersen said Hong Kong remained in the fight to reach the last 16 of the Asian Cup, after his side harried Iran to distraction during a narrow 1-0 defeat in Al Rayyan on Saturday.
And it could have been a night to remember, if Everton Camargo and Philip Chan Siu-kwan had not wasted glorious first-half opportunities to score, either side of Mehdi Ghayedi bagging the winner with Iran’s first shot on target after 24 minutes.
Hong Kong ruffled their higher-ranked opponents, forcing a succession of mistakes and largely muzzling the Iranians’ gifted array of forwards.
But the result means victory over Palestine in Hong Kong’s final Group C game is a must if this first Asian Cup adventure for the city’s national team since 1968 is to extend beyond the game in Doha on Tuesday.
“I am very proud of my team, we faced a top side from Asia, 21st in the world rankings, after playing UAE [64th in global standings], who are also far in front of Hong Kong, but you could not see the difference in either game,” Andersen, whose team are ranked 150, said.
“These sides have outstanding individual players, but football is a team sport. We pushed, and attacked, and pressed Iran. Iran did not know how they could play against us. We created good chances, but could not score and take a point.”
Hong Kong’s fortunes have followed the expected script, in terms of results. It was anticipated from the day the draw was made in May that Andersen’s team would be pointless after two games, setting up a loser-goes-home meeting with Palestine in the final match.
Very few people, however, saw the intensity, combativity and competitiveness of Hong Kong’s opening pair of displays coming. Those who watched a sluggish practice match against domestic champions Kitchee, way back at the beginning of a pre-tournament training camp, would attest to the night-and-day difference following four weeks on the training ground.
The comparison Andersen was asked to draw, was between the bold display that put the frighteners on Iran in Qatar, and the less impressive effort when losing a World Cup qualifier 4-0 to the same opponents two months ago.
“Physically, we are much stronger, we can fight against a team like Iran, play with high pressure, and push them for 90 minutes,” Andersen said.
“We are fitter, tactically better, and can attack high, and counter-press. I am very surprised my players were physically so strong, we can see how important it is to train hard and clever.”
Andersen made a raft of attacking substitutions in the closing 20 minutes against Iran, but despite winning a number of threatening set-pieces, Hong Kong did not extend goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, whose late handball outside his box somehow escaped the match officials’ attention.
“I was not satisfied with the late corners, and our free-kicks were not good,” Andersen said. “We have to improve these for the next game.”
The four best third-placed teams will join the top pairs from six groups in the round of 16.
Andersen had wondered pre-tournament if one point, wedded to a respectable goal difference, might do the trick. Palestine drawing with UAE in their second match ended that possibility.
“We always said the last match is the most important,” Andersen added. “We did not want too many goals against us in the opening two games, the goal difference is not too bad, so if we win the points against Palestine, we can maybe take one of the best third -place spots.
“Palestine are strong, and playing with a lot of energy and power, but they do not have the quality of Iran and UAE. We will have one-to-two days to recover, then prepare … and try to find the best team to play the match.”
Jorn Andersen said Hong Kong remained in the fight to reach the last 16 of the Asian Cup, after his side harried Iran to distraction during a narrow 1-0 defeat in Al Rayyan on Saturday.
And it could have been a night to remember, if Everton Camargo and Philip Chan Siu-kwan had not wasted glorious first-half opportunities to score, either side of Mehdi Ghayedi bagging the winner with Iran’s first shot on target after 24 minutes.
Hong Kong ruffled their higher-ranked opponents, forcing a succession of mistakes and largely muzzling the Iranians’ gifted array of forwards.
But the result means victory over Palestine in Hong Kong’s final Group C game is a must if this first Asian Cup adventure for the city’s national team since 1968 is to extend beyond the game in Doha on Tuesday.
“I am very proud of my team, we faced a top side from Asia, 21st in the world rankings, after playing UAE [64th in global standings], who are also far in front of Hong Kong, but you could not see the difference in either game,” Andersen, whose team are ranked 150, said.
“These sides have outstanding individual players, but football is a team sport. We pushed, and attacked, and pressed Iran. Iran did not know how they could play against us. We created good chances, but could not score and take a point.”
Hong Kong’s fortunes have followed the expected script, in terms of results. It was anticipated from the day the draw was made in May that Andersen’s team would be pointless after two games, setting up a loser-goes-home meeting with Palestine in the final match.
Very few people, however, saw the intensity, combativity and competitiveness of Hong Kong’s opening pair of displays coming. Those who watched a sluggish practice match against domestic champions Kitchee, way back at the beginning of a pre-tournament training camp, would attest to the night-and-day difference following four weeks on the training ground.
The comparison Andersen was asked to draw, was between the bold display that put the frighteners on Iran in Qatar, and the less impressive effort when losing a World Cup qualifier 4-0 to the same opponents two months ago.
“Physically, we are much stronger, we can fight against a team like Iran, play with high pressure, and push them for 90 minutes,” Andersen said.
“We are fitter, tactically better, and can attack high, and counter-press. I am very surprised my players were physically so strong, we can see how important it is to train hard and clever.”
Andersen made a raft of attacking substitutions in the closing 20 minutes against Iran, but despite winning a number of threatening set-pieces, Hong Kong did not extend goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, whose late handball outside his box somehow escaped the match officials’ attention.
“I was not satisfied with the late corners, and our free-kicks were not good,” Andersen said. “We have to improve these for the next game.”
The four best third-placed teams will join the top pairs from six groups in the round of 16.
Andersen had wondered pre-tournament if one point, wedded to a respectable goal difference, might do the trick. Palestine drawing with UAE in their second match ended that possibility.
“We always said the last match is the most important,” Andersen added. “We did not want too many goals against us in the opening two games, the goal difference is not too bad, so if we win the points against Palestine, we can maybe take one of the best third -place spots.
“Palestine are strong, and playing with a lot of energy and power, but they do not have the quality of Iran and UAE. We will have one-to-two days to recover, then prepare … and try to find the best team to play the match.”