World Cup qualifiers: Hong Kong beaten 2-0 by Iraq in Basra; Paatelainen still winless

Goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai in top form at Basra International Stadium as Hong Kong restrict home side to two goals

With only one point from three games, coach Mixu Paatelainen is still in search of his first victory for Hong Kong after appointment in April

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Defender Andrew Russell and captain Huang Yang in strong defence

Published: 11:15am, 11 Oct 2019Updated: 10:21pm, 11 Oct 2019

Goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai saved a penalty against Iraq but Hong Kong are still searching for their first victory in group C after falling 2-0 to the hosts in their 2022 World Cup Asian zone qualifier.

Eastern’s Yapp was in great form and prevented Hong Kong losing by a bigger margin in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Basra International Stadium on Thursday night as Iraq played their first qualifier on home soil since 2011. Hong Kong last month lost to Iran 2-0 at home, having previously drawn 1-1 away to Cambodia.

Iran thrashed visitors Cambodia 14-0 in another group C match at Azadi Stadium.

Against the 79th-ranked country in the world, Hong Kong, who are outside the top 100, conceded an early penalty when full-back Daniel Cancela was booked following a a poor tackle inside the box. Mohanad Ali’s spot kick, though, was deflected by Yapp.

Ali was in the thick of the action again on 15 minutes and came within a whisker of finding the target after being played deep inside the danger area. But the Al Duhail forward saw his close-range effort blocked.