Historic goal not enough as Hong Kong lose to North Korea
Coach Kim praises his side, but complains of the schedule between 'the two strongest sides'
Jaimes McKee made history for Hong Kong but it still was not enough as North Korea took command in the East Asian Cup qualifiers, winning 2-1 in Taipei on Thursday.
McKee became the first Hong Kong player to score against the North Koreans in an international A match in 25 years, but the historic goal made no difference in the end as the loss means Hong Kong's qualifying hopes are in tatters. It was also McKee's first international goal since he joined the Hong Kong team in 2011.
You put the two strongest teams in the first match and the result is virtually decided. But it is not up to me to say anything about the fixture
The only chance Hong Kong have of qualifying is if Taiwan and Guam do them a favour and beat the North Koreans, one of the strongest teams in the region, in the remaining qualifiers, but that remains highly unlikely.
Tim Bredbury was the last Hong Kong player to have scored against North Korea when Hong Kong lost 4-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Pyongyang in 1989. Hong Kong also scored against North Korea at the last two East Asian Games but the competition was not a Fifa "A" tournament at the time.
Hong Kong coach Kim Pan-gon admitted his side would not make it to next year's tournament finals in China and complained about the fixture. Only the qualifying winners reach the finals.
"You put the two strongest teams in the first match and the result is virtually decided. But it is not up to me to say anything about the fixture," said the coach, who still paid tribute to his players' fighting spirit.
