Hong Kong hero Tsui Wang-kit wants to give lowly Guam proper respect in crunch EAFF clash
Defender backs switch to Hong Kong Stadium for critical encounter because ‘quality pitch makes it easier to play’
Tsui Wang-kit says Hong Kong will treat Asia’s lowest-ranked side, Guam, “like a top team” in Tuesday’s winner-takes-all East Asian Football Federation Championship (EAFF) qualifying final at Hong Kong Stadium.
Tsui was Hong Kong’s unlikely match-winner in their 2-1 victory over Chinese Taipei on Sunday that booked their date with Guam. With Chinese Taipei trying to run down the clock, and secure the draw that would have sent them through at the hosts’ expense, Tsui chose the most opportune moment to head home his first goal in 26 international appearances.
He said his 87th-minute winner “meant a lot” personally, after an injury-blighted year that started with him ruled out of Hong Kong’s return to the major international stage at January’s AFC Asian Cup finals in Qatar.
“The most important thing was to win, though – we have to win the final and qualify [for the 2025 EAFF tournament],” Tsui said.
Guam, ranked world No 203, earned their first competitive victory since June 2019 when they beat Macau 2-1 on Saturday to advance to the qualifying final.