Hong Kong squad:

Goalkeepers WANG Zhenpeng (Kitchee), YAPP Hung Fai (Eastern)

Defenders LEE Chi Ho (Eastern), Wisdom Fofo AGBO (Harbin Yiteng), NAEGELEIN Andy Hannes Ling Fung (Hunan Xiangtao F.C.), CHEUNG Kin Fung (Kitchee), BAI He (Shijiazhuang Yongchang), SEALY, Jonathan Jack (South China), LEUNG Kwun Chung (YFCMD)

Midfielders HUANG Yang, LAM Ka Wai, LO Kwan Yee (Kitchee), LEUNG Chun Pong (South China), JU Yingzhi (Sun Pegasus), WONG Wai (YFCMD)

Forwards Christian Kwesi ANNAN, XU Deshuai (Kitchee), CHAN Man Fai, LEE Hong Lim, MCKEE, Jaimes Anthony (Sun Pegasus)

Striker Chan Siu-Ki is injured while captain and defender Chan Wai-Ho is missing due to poor form.

Hong Kong Ready for EAFF Qualifying Round in Chinese Taipei

The Hong Kong Men’s Representative Team has recently got back onto the training pitch in preparation for next week’s EAFF Asian Cup 2015 Preliminary Competition Round 2. The tournament will take place in Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong will square off against the likes of DPR Korea, Chinese Taipei and Guam in order to battle for the opportunity to advance to the next round.

Hong Kong Head Coach Kim Pan-gon shared his master plan for the tournament with the gathered media after a recent training session. “DPR Korea has strengthened with the addition of a few experienced players into their squad. They should be even better from their showing in the Incheon Asian Games and we will try to stay undefeated against them,” Kim offered. “Afterwards, we will try our outmost to come out victorious against Chinese Taipei and Guam. We will then see where this might lead us to.”

Veteran defender Lee Chi-ho believes the current Hong Kong squad has enough quality to overcome the loss of captain Chan Wai-ho, who was not selected by the Hong Kong Head Coach on this occasion. “(Chan) Wai-ho and I have been partners in the Hong Kong squad for all these years and of course I will miss the understanding that we have built up,” Lee admitted. “However, Andy Naegelein, Wisdom Fofo and Bai He have all proven themselves in the ultra-competitive mainland football and I believe no matter what kind of defensive pairings we deploy in the tournament, they should all be able to get the job done on the pitch.”

Returning to the Hong Kong fold will be influential midfielder Bai He, who cautions that Hong Kong must focus on playing up to its maximum potential during the tournament. “DPR Korea should be toughest team that we will face in this round but that does not mean we can afford to take the others lightly,” preached the lanky Bai He. “No matter who we come up against, I firmly believe we should focus on playing up to our maximum potential. That is the only way that we will stand any chance of advancing to the next round.”

Promising forward Wong Wai has once again been called up to the senior squad and is eager to repay his coach’s faith. “My game has definitely improved ever since returning from the Incheon Asian Games,” Wong said. “I can see that Coach Kim has been giving young players their opportunities to prove themselves in recent games and he has also taken me aside for extra shooting practices. I hope with several senior players missing on this occasion, I can step up and help lead Hong Kong to a few good results.”