Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Shenzen: Hong Kong’s impressive FIFA World Cup 2018 and AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifying campaign continued on Thursday as they held China to a 0-0 draw, a result which sees them still on top of the Group C standings.
The result in China leaves Hong Kong leading the way with, following earlier wins against Bhutan and the Maldives, seven points from three games, while the Chinese are three points behind with a win and a draw to their name.
Alain Perrin’s China side will surely, however, be reflecting on what could have been following a game which they dominated for large periods.
Indeed, the tone for the game was set within the first 25 minutes when, with Hong Kong struggling to gain a foothold, China hit the post twice through 2013 AFC Player of the Year Zheng Zhi and Yu Hanchao.
Wu Xi then fizzed a shot narrowly wide of Hong Kong goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai’s post, before Festus Baise cleared Wu Lei’s effort off the line and, with China in the ascendancy, Yu Dabao hit the Hong Kong upright.
Incredibly, the Hong Kong woodwork was rattled a fourth time, with Zheng’s effort coming back off the crossbar shortly before the break much to the frustration of the Chinese faithful.
Visiting striker Jaimes McKee had a claim for an early second half penalty waved away, while Zhang Linpeng fired narrowly wide and Yapp reacted superbly to repel Wu Lei’s screamer and Ren Hang’s powerful header as China. quarter-finalists at this year's AFC Asain Cup, desperately sought a breakthrough.
In the game’s last genuine opportunity, Yang Xu headed wide to leave China wondering just how they failed to garner all three points and Hong Kong sitting pretty at the top of the group.
China will now travel to face the Maldives next Tuesday, while Hong Kong are set to face Qatar at home on the same day.
The group winners and four best runners-up (total 12 teams) will advance to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals and the final round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The next best 24 teams from the preliminary stage of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining slots (12 slots or 11 slots + 1 slot for the host) in the 24-team 2019 Asian Cup.
Photo: AFP