January 3 – In a warm-up match for the Asian Cup that was as much about symbolism as football, Hong Kong beat China for the first time in nearly 30 years in a friendly in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Poon Pui-hin scored twice in eight minutes after coming off the bench to earn his side, who have qualified for the Asian Cup for the first time since 1968, an historic 2-1 victory at Baniyas Stadium.
Although the match was an official fixture, both teams chose to stage it behind closed doors. To heap even more embarrassment on China, who had taken the lead, they apparently had two players and a coach red-carded.
It was Hong Kong’s first victory over China since 1995 and manager Jørn Andersen praised his players’ aggression. “I don’t have to motivate the team against China,” he was quoted by the South China Morning Post.
“But it was important how we attacked them, how close we were when defending, and how we won the ball and had a good transition.
“Poon has to keep his feet on the floor and take confidence from this, not be arrogant or think he is a big player. He is very important for us and I was very happy he could score two goals.”
The result provided a huge boost before Hong Kong kick off their Asian Cup campaign in Qatar against United Arab Emirates on January 14.
Before that, they meet Tajikistan, also at Baniyas Stadium, before facing Saudi Arabia in Doha on January 10.
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