2024-01-14 16:40:51
[Sports in Doha]The Hong Kong football team competed in the Asian Cup finals again after 1968. The opening match of Group C was held at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar, against the 1996 runner-up United Arab Emirates. In the second half, Chen Zhaojun scored a goal to tie 1: 1. Before the end of the game, Mi Gao made another contribution, but unfortunately he was found guilty of a foul and became a bluff. In the end, he lost 1:3. The Hong Kong team has entered a new page in history by being able to appear in the highest-level Asian team competition again after 55 years. Chen Zhaojun has also become the other Hong Kong football player to score in the finals week after Yuan Quanquan and Li Guoqiang in the 1968 session. .
Although the distance between Qatar and Hong Kong is more than 6,000 kilometers, and a direct flight usually takes more than 9 hours, in order to witness history, more than 100 “Hong Kong United” composed of two major local fan organizations, “Hong Kong Power” and “Botai Line Guys” “Army” gathered at the Khalifa Stadium with a total capacity of 40,000 people three and a half hours before today’s game. Everyone also brought large cheering banners, regional flags, scarves and drums, etc., and gathered at Section 319 of the stadium for Hong Kong. The team responded with support, and the audience shouted “We Are Hong Kong”. The loudness dwarfed the UAE fans scattered in different corners of the stadium.
The Hong Kong football team, ranked 150th in the world, is the lowest-ranked team among the 24 teams in the finals. Historically, it has appeared in the finals three times in 1956, 1964 and 1968. The best results were third place in 1956 (four teams participated), 1964 and 1968. In 2016, they ranked 4th (with 4 teams participating) and 5th (with 5 teams participating). After waiting for more than 55 years, the team did not arrive in Hong Kong again until today. This year’s opponents in Group C include Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Palestine. According to the pre-match plan, the Hong Kong team hopes to score at least 1 point in the first two games, and then defeat Palestine in the group match, hoping to advance to the knockout rounds as the third-placed team with the best results.
The United Arab Emirates is a regular participant in the finals week, and this is its 11th appearance. The best results were the runner-up in 1996, the third place in 2015, and the semi-finals in 1992 and 2019. Currently ranked 64th in the world, ranked 8th among the 24 participating teams in the final week. Head coach Paul Bindu said at the pre-match press conference that he would not underestimate the opponent and expected the Hong Kong team to be a team with high intensity, good transition between offense and defense, and an aggressive nature. However, Ali Mabkhout, who has scored 85 goals in 111 games for the national team and has scored the most goals (9 goals) in the Asian Cup finals, is not included in the main selection list.
The Hong Kong team was affected by injuries before the game. The main players such as Xie Jiaqiang, Elio and Zulian were not included in the squad. Lawrence, Michael Wong, Huang Wei and Sun Mingqian were also placed on the reserve. Coach Anderson reused the more experienced players. Captain Ye Honghui is in charge. Newcomers Zhou Yuande and Li Yikai work together to guard the middle. The two gates are Ru Zinan and Chen Jinyi. The more energetic Wu Jinming, Chen Zhaojun and Chen Junle are used in the midfield. The three arrows are Everton, An Yongjia and Pan Peixuan. In the early stages of the game, the Hong Kong team made the first move. Chen Jin used a “grenade” tactic from the left, and Everton responded with a second pass and a header. Unfortunately, he failed to exert force and was easily caught by the goalkeeper. At the 26th minute of the game, Chen Junle hit the target with a header in the penalty area. The ball landed at Pan Peixuan’s feet. Unfortunately, his first shot was blocked. An Yongjia’s follow-up shot only got a corner kick. Everton then kicked off three more times, but failed to pose a real threat.
After the United Arab Emirates established a foothold, they gradually regained possession of the ball with their better physical quality. The Hong Kong team often had to use super skills to stop their opponents. In the 31st minute, S. Sultan Adil took a kick during the melee at the top of the penalty area, and the ball hit Zhou Yuande’s left forearm. The Singaporean football referee checked VAR and awarded a 12-yard penalty, and then awarded Zhou Yuande a yellow card. In the 34th minute, Aidil’s main shot broke through the net. Ye Honghui caught the wrong path and could only watch the ball go into the net. Three minutes later, the Hong Kong team relied on Hu Jinming to successfully counterattack in the frontcourt, which led to An Yongjia’s kick in the penalty area. Unfortunately, the ball missed the edge of the post and fell behind 0:1 at halftime.
Zhou Yuande
Chen Zhaojun (middle)’s goal once tied the score.
The Hong Kong team’s performance in the first half was not disrespectful. After changing sides, the original team responded and it only took 4 minutes to equalize. Everton attacked from the right and controlled the pass. Chen Zhaojun arrived at the far post in time to beat the opponent’s defender and sent the ball into the net to tie 1:1. In the 1968 Hong Kong team, Yuen Quan-yi and Li Guoqiang scored goals against Israel and the Republic of China respectively. “Philip’s” goal was enough to put him in the history books.
Anderson
It’s a pity that the Hong Kong team was only happy for 3 minutes. Adil was barely saved by Ye Honghui in front of the goal. Zayed Sultan unexpectedly scored the goal again, falling behind the United Arab Emirates 1:2 again. Anderson changed the formation in the 66th minute and introduced Michael and Stephen Penglina. With the pressure of the defensive line, openings began to be exposed. In the 74th minute, Li Yikai was eager to return to the defense, but the ball missed the ball and came into contact with the opponent. However, the ball was not confirmed. After checking VAR, no 12-yard penalty was awarded, and the Hong Kong team escaped the disaster. However, at the end of the period, Huang Wei, Yu Zaiyan and Lawless were substituted to attack the opponent, but they failed to score a goal. In stoppage time, Chen Jinyi violated the opponent in the penalty area and lost the penalty. The UAE relied on Yahya Alghassani. The score was 3:1. However, the Hong Kong team still couldn’t beat them. At the last moment, they scored a goal from inside the penalty area with Mi Gao. Unfortunately, they were accused of committing a foul and cheating. In the end, they lost 1:3. Although they failed to grab points, their overall performance was worthy of recognition. .
Michael’s goal before the end of the game was accused of handball.
Pictures and text: Mai Jingzhi
This article is written by “Sportsroad“Originally published in”[Asian Cup·Direct Attack]Chen Zhaojun’s contributions and Michael’s deception of Hu Hong Kong Football Team’s loss to the United Arab Emirates have an explanation」
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