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AFC Asian Cup: head coach Andersen says Palestine game is his team’s final, vows to attack from start
- Hong Kong remain in the fight for a last-16 spot at their first Asian Cup finals appearance since 1968
- Andersen keeping fingers crossed over fitness of midfield pair, considering attacking changes
Jorn Andersen has issued a compelling statement of intent on the eve of one of the biggest matches in Hong Kong’s recent history.
The city’s side take on Palestine in Doha on Tuesday, with hopes of reaching the last 16 of the Asian Cup at stake.
Calling the match a “final for Hong Kong…a pressure game”, the Norwegian promised his side would go all out to chase victory, after defeats against the United Arab Emirates and Iran drew praise for the performance, but produced one goal across 180 minutes.
“In those two games, we focused more on defending, now we have to be more dangerous up front,” Andersen said. “We had three or four big chances against Iran, but did not score. We must be stronger, and have better finishing.
“This is a final for Hong Kong. It is a pressure game … but I do not put pressure on the team. If we go to the next round, and are one of the best 16 teams in Asia, all of Hong Kong will be proud of us.”
But the likelihood that goal difference will decide the best third-place group finishers could lead to Andersen compromising his approach, and striker Michael Udebuluzor, whose strengths lie in his speed, power and skill in front of goal, is pushing to start.
Andersen is also weighing up the claims of fellow attacker Juninho, who is finally injury free, but “does not have the match practice of others”.
Wu Chun-ming and Tan Chun-lok both missed training on Sunday, but Andersen will give the midfield pair, both excellent in Hong Kong’s opening two matches, every chance to play.
“Wu is not so serious, he has some tightness in his muscles, and that can change,” Andersen said. “Tan was hit on the ankle … but ankle injuries are not too serious, we can tape it, and give him some painkillers. I think they will be ready.”
Palestine head coach Makram Daboub insisted Hong Kong would be “very difficult” opponents, regardless of personnel.
“They have advanced so much,” he said. “Their style of play has changed, they are direct and confrontational, and try to force the opponent to play their way.”
Daboub said his team were especially wary of Everton Camargo, the forward Andersen called “the best player in Hong Kong”, before the tournament.
Camargo worked tirelessly in the opening two games, but his biggest contribution was creating Philip Chan Siu-kwan’s goal against the UAE, a return that has drawn criticism from some quarters.
“He [Camargo] will get chances against Palestine, and, hopefully, use them,” Andersen said. “A tournament like this is very different from the Hong Kong Premier League. He does not have the same space and time, everything is faster and more difficult.
“But he has great potential, and I hope he can use it on Tuesday.”
Andersen said he wanted to send a “positive message” to the nation of Palestine, amid the destruction of Israel’s invasion of Gaza, while Daboub was preparing for a “historical, decisive match for the Palestine people, who deserve to be happy”. “We hope to live up to their expectations,” he added.
Andersen talked up the 500-strong backing for his own side, and said he had never experienced an event like the one where supporters and players mingled at the team hotel on Saturday.
“The fans will be our 12th man against Palestine, and support us to the end,” Andersen said.
Jorn Andersen has issued a compelling statement of intent on the eve of one of the biggest matches in Hong Kong’s recent history.
The city’s side take on Palestine in Doha on Tuesday, with hopes of reaching the last 16 of the Asian Cup at stake.
Calling the match a “final for Hong Kong…a pressure game”, the Norwegian promised his side would go all out to chase victory, after defeats against the United Arab Emirates and Iran drew praise for the performance, but produced one goal across 180 minutes.
“In those two games, we focused more on defending, now we have to be more dangerous up front,” Andersen said. “We had three or four big chances against Iran, but did not score. We must be stronger, and have better finishing.
“This is a final for Hong Kong. It is a pressure game … but I do not put pressure on the team. If we go to the next round, and are one of the best 16 teams in Asia, all of Hong Kong will be proud of us.”
But the likelihood that goal difference will decide the best third-place group finishers could lead to Andersen compromising his approach, and striker Michael Udebuluzor, whose strengths lie in his speed, power and skill in front of goal, is pushing to start.
Andersen is also weighing up the claims of fellow attacker Juninho, who is finally injury free, but “does not have the match practice of others”.
Wu Chun-ming and Tan Chun-lok both missed training on Sunday, but Andersen will give the midfield pair, both excellent in Hong Kong’s opening two matches, every chance to play.
“Wu is not so serious, he has some tightness in his muscles, and that can change,” Andersen said. “Tan was hit on the ankle … but ankle injuries are not too serious, we can tape it, and give him some painkillers. I think they will be ready.”
Palestine head coach Makram Daboub insisted Hong Kong would be “very difficult” opponents, regardless of personnel.
“They have advanced so much,” he said. “Their style of play has changed, they are direct and confrontational, and try to force the opponent to play their way.”
Daboub said his team were especially wary of Everton Camargo, the forward Andersen called “the best player in Hong Kong”, before the tournament.
Camargo worked tirelessly in the opening two games, but his biggest contribution was creating Philip Chan Siu-kwan’s goal against the UAE, a return that has drawn criticism from some quarters.
“He [Camargo] will get chances against Palestine, and, hopefully, use them,” Andersen said. “A tournament like this is very different from the Hong Kong Premier League. He does not have the same space and time, everything is faster and more difficult.
“But he has great potential, and I hope he can use it on Tuesday.”
Andersen said he wanted to send a “positive message” to the nation of Palestine, amid the destruction of Israel’s invasion of Gaza, while Daboub was preparing for a “historical, decisive match for the Palestine people, who deserve to be happy”. “We hope to live up to their expectations,” he added.
Andersen talked up the 500-strong backing for his own side, and said he had never experienced an event like the one where supporters and players mingled at the team hotel on Saturday.
“The fans will be our 12th man against Palestine, and support us to the end,” Andersen said.