AFC Asian Cup finals: Hong Kong midfielder Jesse Yu was ‘scared on pitch’ – now he is transformed and wants to wow foreign clubs
- Midfielder is fighting for a place in Hong Kong’s starting team for the finals in Qatar, and feels ready to ‘perform on biggest stage’
- Yu hopes the tournament can help earn him a move abroad, but says the campaign is also a chance to ‘promote football in Hong Kong’
Hong Kong midfielder Jesse Yu Joy-yin says he has overcome the fear that stifled his expressive talent and is ready to shine at this month’s AFC Asian Cup finals.
Yu was part of the squad who progressed from last year’s qualifying tournament, but played only 12 minutes in three matches and suspected he would not be involved in the finals in Qatar.
But the 22-year-old has forced the hand of head coach Jorn Andersen with his performances this season, for club team Eastern and in Hong Kong under- 23s’ run to the Asian Games semi-finals.
Yu impressed in warm-up matches against Kitchee and HK U23 last month, and has gone from an outsider to being named in the finals squad and making himself a contender for the starting 11.
“Last year, I barely had any game time and did not think I was an important figure in the team,” Yu said. “But I have matured a lot in the past 18 months.
