AFC Asian Cup: Andersen playing selection ‘poker’ in Qatar, defender Nunez’s ‘head is free’ after club resolution
- Hong Kong play second Group C game against world ranked No 21 team Iran in Al Rayyan on Friday
- Jorn Andersen hoping opponents take his team lightly, ‘then maybe we have small chance’
Jorn Andersen said Hong Kong were “playing poker” with the balance of their AFC Asian Cup squad, after resisting the temptation to replace injury-hit Juninho in the 26-man party.
The Brazil-born Forward has managed only one start, in the New Year’s Day friendly victory over China, since obtaining his Hong Kong passport in December.
He was left out for Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of the United Arab Emirates, and Andersen all but ruled out the prospect of the 33-year-old playing against Iran on Friday.
Juninho trained alone on Tuesday, and was absent from a subsequent team practice session at Qatar University, and Andersen admitted the Kitchee player’s persistent thigh problem led him to consider summoning a replacement.
But the Norwegian, whose hand has been strengthened by the return to physical and mental fitness of defender Vas Nunez, believes his side can win their final Group C game against Palestine, and has opted to play the long game.
“No one else in Hong Kong has Juninho’s quality,” Andersen said. “He could be fit for the last match, which is, maybe, the most important. We are playing poker, but, sometimes, we have to play poker in tournaments like this.