SAR gear up for East Asian championship finale
Ashley Westwood says he wants to win every match. Photo courtesy of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China
Leon Jones said he's ready to play his third international game in eight days. Photo courtesy of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong, China will be looking for a breakthrough at an East Asian football tournament when they face the national team on Tuesday.
The SAR have lost all their matches at the EAFF E-1 Championship since it began in 2003.
This year, both the SAR and the national teams lost to hosts South Korea and Japan and will be battling for third place.
The last time the two teams played each other, Hong Kong, China, defeated the national team 2-1 in a closed-door friendly on New Year's Day last year when the sides were preparing for the Asian Cup.
"Of course we want to make history, but anybody who knows me knows that I want to win every single game I play," head coach Ashley Westwood said.
"It makes no difference to me whether it's China, Chinese Taipei, Brazil, France, England, I don't care who we play."
Westwood will be without star left-back Shinichi Chan, who was recalled by his club Shanghai Shenhua.
Meanwhile, centre-back Leon Jones said he's thankful that so many Hong Kong supporters travelled to South Korea for the matches.
He said the SAR team are very proud of "the sea of red" when they see the fans in the stands.
Jones also said playing three matches in eight days was not a problem for him.
"Obviously, most of the players in the squad have been coming back from the off-season, which is different from players from the other sides," he said.
"But I feel my condition's pretty good. Playing in two 90-minute games in such a short space of time is tiring, but it's normal at this level of football."
Kickoff is set for 3pm on Tuesday Hong Kong time, before South Korea face Japan at 6.24pm for the title.
The Japanese only need a draw to win the tournament on goal difference.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
a day ago
- RTHK
Ryan Choi ready for National Games after break
Ryan Choi ready for National Games after break Ryan Choi plans to recharge first before taking on the National Games in November. Photo: RTHK Fresh off making history for Hong Kong, China, fencing star Ryan Choi said his World Championships triumph has steeled his confidence for the National Games in November on home soil. The 27-year-old, however, plans to recharge first before chasing further glory. Choi cemented his status as world number one, after claiming the SAR's first-ever Fencing World Championships gold medal in Tbilisi, Georgia. He secured the men's foil title with a decisive victory over Russia's Kirill Borodachev. On returning to Hong Kong on Monday, Choi said he aims to deliver his best at the National Games, targeting at least a quarter-final finish. "I think it gives me confidence, but at the same time, I feel less pressured because I got the title I wanted since day one of being a full-time fencer so I feel relieved and I'm happy to compete now," he said. The world championship crowns a remarkable winning streak for Choi. Having already claimed the title at the Shanghai Foil Grand Prix in May and his first Asian Fencing Championships gold last month, he has secured three major titles consecutively. "I am very grateful because I believe there are still several fencers who are stronger than me. I still feel that I do not deserve to be world number one, but heaven has given me this opportunity, and I sincerely feel content," Choi said. "In the past, I might have had to remind myself to be content, but this time, I truly feel it from the heart." Choi expressed profound gratitude to his family and friends, highlighting his parents' unwavering support for his passion. He even addressed detractors with a triumphant, "I'm sorry, but I did it!" Looking ahead, Choi is eyeing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, emphasising team qualification is a key goal. He acknowledged disappointment in the World Championships team foil event, where his team, including Edgar Cheung, Leung Chin-yu and Lawrence Ng finished seventh despite Choi believing they had top-four potential. Though the athlete is currently sitting on the top spot, he said he still sees Cheung, who won two consecutive gold medals at the Olympics, as the strongest member of the team. He said he believes the Hong Kong, China, fencing team will really show its prowess once Cheung recovers from his wrist injury.
RTHK
a day ago
- RTHK
Ryan Choi ready for National Games after break
Ryan Choi ready for National Games after break Ryan Choi plans to recharge first before taking on the National Games in November. Photo: RTHK Fresh off making history for Hong Kong, China, fencing star Ryan Choi said his World Championships triumph has steeled his confidence for the National Games in November on home soil. The 27-year-old, however, plans to recharge first before chasing further glory. Choi cemented his status as world number one, after claiming the SAR's first-ever Fencing World Championships gold medal in Tbilisi, Georgia. He secured the men's foil title with a decisive victory over Russia's Kirill Borodachev. On returning to Hong Kong on Monday, Choi said he aims to deliver his best at the National Games, targeting at least a quarter-final finish. "I think it gives me confidence, but at the same time, I feel less pressured because I got the title I wanted since day one of being a full-time fencer so I feel relieved and I'm happy to compete now," he said. The world championship crowns a remarkable winning streak for Choi. Having already claimed the title at the Shanghai Foil Grand Prix in May and his first Asian Fencing Championships gold last month, he has secured three major titles consecutively. "I am very grateful because I believe there are still several fencers who are stronger than me. I still feel that I do not deserve to be world number one, but heaven has given me this opportunity, and I sincerely feel content," Choi said. "In the past, I might have had to remind myself to be content, but this time, I truly feel it from the heart." Choi expressed profound gratitude to his family and friends, highlighting his parents' unwavering support for his passion. He even addressed detractors with a triumphant, "I'm sorry, but I did it!" Looking ahead, Choi is eyeing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, emphasising team qualification is a key goal. He acknowledged disappointment in the World Championships team foil event, where his team, including Edgar Cheung, Leung Chin-yu and Lawrence Ng finished seventh despite Choi believing they had top-four potential. Though the athlete is currently sitting on the top spot, he said he still sees Cheung, who won two consecutive gold medals at the Olympics, as the strongest member of the team. He said he believes the Hong Kong, China, fencing team will really show its prowess once Cheung recovers from his wrist injury.
RTHK
3 days ago
- RTHK
HK paddlers back home after World Uni Games triumph
HK paddlers back home after World Uni Games triumph A welcome ceremony was held at the airport for the SAR's table tennis team, having won one gold and three bronze medals at the World University Games. Photo: RTHK Hong Kong, China's table tennis team received a warm welcome at the airport after returning from the World University Games in Germany on Saturday, having won one gold and three bronze medals. The historic gold medal was won by the men's doubles pair of Baldwin Chan and Yiu Kwan-to, marking Hong Kong's first-ever gold in table tennis at the World University Games. Chan described the victory as a thrilling surprise. 'We feel very happy because this is our first World University Games. Our original aim was to fight for a medal. We never imagined winning gold. Being able to win makes us feel very surprised,' he said. Yiu expressed special gratitude to head coach Chan Kong-wah, who came out of retirement to lead the SAR team. He said the coach's encouragement was crucial, especially after a difficult quarter-final men's team match, where Yiu lost both games he played. 'When I almost broke down after the team event loss, he never gave up on me and kept encouraging me to fight and forget the games. He lent me a hand to pull me up when I was at my lowest. I really want to thank him for this gold,' he said. Hong Kong, China has so far won seven medals at this year's World University Games, including two golds, one silver, and four bronzes.
