customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

knowledgeQuestion

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Paul McNamara

Matt Orr scored for the second straight game to earn Hong Kong a 1-1 draw from a bruising, low-quality clash with Fiji on Sunday.
The hosts scored inside 60 seconds at Churchill Park in Lautoka, and until striker Orr equalised after 77 minutes it appeared Hong Kong’s ploy of lining up a series of lowly opponents to improve their world ranking was going to come unstuck.
Orr, who ended a 20-match goal drought with a penalty in Thursday’s 3-0 victory over Solomon Islands, came to the rescue when he controlled a cutback from fellow substitute Wong Wai, then swatted a low drive inside substitute goalkeeper Jerome Narayan’s left post.
The result was enough for Hong Kong to win the tri-nations competition, by virtue of their superior goal difference over the Fijians.
The hosts were as physical and uncompromising as Hong Kong assistant coach Wolfgang Luisser had predicted 24 hours before the match, with plenty of tactical fouling.

Hong Kong’s solitary first-half chance fell to Michael Udebuluzor, but the centre-forward’s slight contact on Juninho’s left-wing delivery allowed Fiji goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva to save.
“The first half was not a good game, but the second half was better,” Luisser said. “Fiji were very aggressive, we had to fight a lot. We needed the character and mentality to fight, then we could play.”
Three days after sweeping aside Solomon Islands, Hong Kong made the worst possible start against more powerful opponents.
Yapp Hung-fai kept out a rising drive from Thomas Dunn, but as defenders stood and watched, Fiji midfielder Dave Radrigai swooped onto the loose ball to head into an empty net.
Goalkeeper Yapp saved from Aporosa Yada shortly before half-time, after Radrigai caught Wu Chun-ming dozing in midfield, before speeding forwards to feed Yada.
The off-colour Wu was replaced by Tan Chun-lok for the second half. Udebuluzor made way for Orr, too, after defender Samuela Kautoga planted his knee in the 20-year-old’s back as the pair duelled for an aerial ball.
Hong Kong were not above breaking up the game with fouls of their own and, shortly after half-time, Vas Nunez was booked for illegally stopping a Fiji counter-attack. From the resulting free-kick, Yada escaped behind a sleeping Yue Tze-nam and forced Yapp to save at his near post.
Nunez and Oliver Gerbig, in the middle of Hong Kong’s defence, were worryingly vulnerable to straight balls over the top, and Yapp had to sprint from his box to clear ahead of the pursuing Radrigai.

Gerbig eventually threw his body in front of a strike from Roy Krishna after another high ball caused confusion in the away team’s backline.
Yapp used his feet to deny an unmarked Krishna, before Hong Kong sprang to life. Wong had been on the field only a matter of minutes, after replacing Philip Chan Siu-kwan, when he broke beyond his front players to tee up Orr for a tidy finish.
It was illustrative of Hong Kong’s troubles until this point that Ashley Westwood, the new head coach who vowed to take a back seat on this trip, was on the touchline urgently issuing instructions immediately after the equaliser.
Westwood’s team increased the tempo in pursuit of a winner, and Alex Jojo was introduced to become Hong Kong’s fourth debutant this week. But it was Fiji who came closest to pinching victory.
Nunez, who had been lucky to avoid conceding a penalty for a challenge on Krishna, presented the same player with an opportunity when he undercooked a header back to Yapp but the striker shot straight into the side netting.
“At the end, it was positive, we won the trophy … we had debutants and learned how we have to play from the beginning against this kind of playing style,” Luisser said.


Hong Kong seal tri-nations glory as late Matt Orr goal earns draw against hosts Fiji

Midfielder Chan explains how ambitious Hong Kong are ‘building a new image’

Alex Jojo questions European clubs’ ‘trust’ in Hong Kong’s footballers after Sweden stint

Struggling Hong Kong football faces game of its life

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Matt Orr scored for the second straight game to earn Hong Kong a draw in Fiji. Photo: HKFA

Michael Udebuluzor had a first-half opportunity before being withdrawn because of a back injury. Photo: HKFA

Poon Pui-hin battles for possession as Hong Kong chase an equaliser following Fiji’s early strike. Photo: HKFA

Alex Jojo is hoping for senior Hong Kong honours following his key role with the city’s under-23 team. Photo: Dickson Lee.

Defender Jojo (left) is back with Eastern, where he played for three seasons from 2020. Photo: HKFA

Jojo looks on while Tse Ka-wing makes a save during Hong Kong’s Asian Games win over Iran. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong’s footballers finally win, Matt Orr scores at last – despite state of Fiji pitch

Wong Wai aims a shot during Hong Kong’s convincing victory over Solomon Islands. Photo: HKFA

Juninho steers a header goalwards during Hong Kong’s victory over Solomon Islands. Photo: HKFA

Assistant coach Wolfgang Luisser handed debuts to three players at HFC Bank Stadium. Photo: HKFA

Hong Kong’s new football coach Ashley Westwood has 3 aims and a warning for players, staff

Ashley Westwood said he was taking over the Hong Kong team at an opportune time. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

The first priority for Westwood (right) is Hong Kong’s world ranking. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Striker Matt Orr said Hong Kong could win both of their fixtures in Fiji. Photo: HKFA

Ex-Hong Kong footballer reveals drastic salary cuts, criticises lack of FA support

Clayton Afonso (left) in action for Eastern against Kitchee in September 2020. Photo: Chan Kin-wa.

Afonso (far right) during his appearance for Hong Kong against Bahrain in 2021. Photo: HKFA.

Afonso (left) tangles with BC Rangers’ Tomas Maronesi during a 2020 Hong Kong FA Cup tie. Photo: Felix Wong

Sport

Football

Hong Kong win mini-tournament on goal difference, giving boss Westwood unbeaten start ahead of October clashes with Liechtenstein, Cambodia


Hong Kong win mini-tournament on goal difference, giving boss Westwood unbeaten start ahead of October clashes with Liechtenstein, Cambodia.


Hong Kong Premier League