Hong Kong – Maldives lost their second game to Hong Kong by 2-0 tonight in the 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup at Mongkok Stadium.
Maldives played well in the first half and created some chances unfortunately they failed to convert those chances to a goal.
In the 24th minute Asadhulla Abdulla missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock, Hong Kong defender blocked Asadhulla’s first attempt and he made another stunning shot inside the box from the rebounded ball but it was cleared as well.
Five minutes before the break coach Velizar Popov has to substitute Asadhulla Abdulla due to a hamstring injury.
Popov faced another nightmare when he was forced to substitute the leader and goalkeeper Imran due to a serious knee injury when he collided with a Hong Kong player.
Xu Deshuai opened the scoring for Hong Kong on 63 minutes before Lam Ka Wai scored Hong Kong’s second on 67 minutes to place the side on top of Group C where in another game China whipped Bhutan 6-0.
Maldives coach Velizar Popov said in the post match press conference that he is proud of his players and they missed the chances that they got in the first half.
“I am proud with my team and the only the difference was the two goals Hong Kong has scored and we got four or five goal scoring opportunities and if we missed these kinds of chances specially in an away game we will lose the match.”
“Hong Kong played well in the second half and they took advantage from our mistakes and that killed us.”
When asked about the coach’s opinion about the turning point of the game he replied it was the moment of Imran’s injury.
“Unfortunately yes, our goalkeeper is the leader and the commander in our team specially in the defense and I was forced the change him and I don’t have any chance for a technical substitute later in the match.”
In the other match of this group China beat Bhutan by 6-0 tonight in Bhutan.
Name
Comment