City’s representative team will aim to bounce back from last week’s defeat in Liechtenstein when they meet Cambodia on Tuesday.
Ashley Westwood launched an impassioned defence of his embryonic reign as Hong Kong football head coach, as the Englishman prepared for his first match on home soil against Cambodia on Tuesday.
Supporters were critical of Westwood following Hong Kong’s 1-0 defeat by Liechtenstein last week. He has received further brickbats for biting back at those fans following a match he insisted his team deserved to win.
Westwood joked that the “people wanting to come and boo and shout at me” would swell the Hong Kong Stadium attendance for lowly Cambodia’s visit.
The new coach had an ally in striker Matt Orr, who said the former Afghanistan boss was “a breath of fresh air” and insisted “this is the evolution we have been waiting for”.
Home team reward a small crowd at Hong Kong Stadium as they bounce back from their loss in Liechtenstein
Ashley Westwood’s first home match in charge of Hong Kong ended in a 3-0 victory over Cambodia on Tuesday night.
Englishman Westwood had joked that Hong Kong Stadium would be in for a bumper crowd if all the people who wanted to voice their dislike for him showed up, after last week’s defeat by Liechtenstein.
As it transpired, only 5,289 paid through the gates and, save for a few boos when Westwood’s name was announced before kick-off, those who turned up gave vociferous and unstinting backing for their team.
In return, they received bang for their buck, as the hosts comprehensively outplayed a flimsy, compliant Cambodia team.
Asked before the game whether he viewed facing world No 180 team Cambodia as a chance to end his wait for a Hong Kong goal, Matt Orr bristled slightly as he pointed out he had scored in both his side’s matches last month.
The Englishman has endured a frosty relationship with fans since taking charge in August, with his name even booed before kick-off.
The Englishman has endured a frosty relationship with fans since taking charge in August and his name was even booed by a few when it was announced before the game at Hong Kong Stadium.
A truce appears to have been called, however, after Westwood’s side blew away Cambodia to banish memories of the 1-0 loss to Liechtenstein last week that stoked some fans’ ire.
He questioned whether those who criticised him in Europe had their finger on the pulse of Hong Kong football, and said his impromptu address to a throng of fervent supporters after beating Cambodia began as a “tongue-in-cheek attempt to start the ‘Westwood out’ chants”.
Orr did, however, treat the fans to a long-awaited strike at home with his third in four international games, following a barren 20-match run. His 29th-minute goal gave Hong Kong a lead their superiority deserved.
Hong Kong's Dominant Performance
Hong Kong 3-0 Camboya
The match started with a very even pace, both teams seeking to impose their playing style and fighting for possession. It was clear that Hong Kong was trying to press early in the game to open the scoring.
The First Half
Hong Kong started to go forward looking to press and look to open the scoreboard early. Cambodia, on the other hand, waited for Hong Kong and played on the counter-attack hoping to find space.
Hong Kong approached the first goal of the match, going ahead and not stopping pressing the opponent. Cambodia suffered in the defensive zone and was unable to get out of their own area.
Hong Kong had 2 shots on goal at the moment, while Cambodia had not been able to get a shot on target.
Yellow card for Cambodia's Brak, who in his desperation to regain possession, commits a foul.
The pace of the match was increasing and Cambodia were starting to take the pressure off and were going forward looking for space.
Hong Kong was missing many opportunities to open the scoring, they were not being effective in the last play.
The scoreboard does not move and continues the scoreless draw in this friendly match.
Yellow card for Yu Joy Yin of Hong Kong.
In the last minutes of the first half, Hong Kong is 5 minutes away from taking a minimal lead into the break.
Goal by Hong Kong, finally after a lot of pressure, the goal gives the advantage to the locals with a great collective play and better definition.
Goal by Hong Kong, the second goal is scored in a counter-attack that ends in a huge definition for the locals to increase the score.
Will be added 2 minutes
End of first half Hong Kong 2-0 Cambodia
The Second Half
The second half begins between Hong Kong and Cambodia. There were no changes for the second half, with the same 22 players taking the field.
Cambodia starts with pressure looking to score and get on the scoreboard.
Hong Kong is already two goals ahead and playing better on the counter-attack.
Cambodia fails to generate danger, Hong Kong defends very well.
The substitute players get up to warm up for possible modifications.
Changes are coming in this match, both teams call players from the bench.
Yellow card for Ogawa of Cambodia.
The pace of the game has slowed down a bit, the number of arrivals and pressure has been less as time has gone by.
Very clean game with only 2 yellow cards.
Hong Kong makes changes in an effort to freshen up the team in this final stretch.
For their part, Cambodia made changes looking to be much more offensive and looking to get on the scoreboard.
The pace of the match slows down and Hong Kong looks very comfortable on the field.
Last minutes of the match, Hong Kong is 5 minutes away from winning this international friendly.
Hong Kong's goal to settle this match that has been a one-sided affair.
Westwood's Message to the Fans
Ashley Westwood has moved to build bridges with Hong Kong supporters after grabbing a loudspeaker and promising to make them proud following his team’s 3-0 victory over Cambodia on Tuesday.
Westwood's message was a powerful one, and it is a sign that he is committed to winning over the Hong Kong fans. The victory over Cambodia was a step in the right direction, and it is clear that Westwood is ready to build a strong foundation for the future of Hong Kong football.
This victory over Cambodia is a sign that Hong Kong is ready to start a new chapter in their football journey, and it is one that fans are excited to be a part of. Westwood has a tough job ahead of him, but he has the right attitude and the right approach. He knows he needs to win over the fans, and he is determined to do just that.
Hong Kong's Footballing Future
The victory over Cambodia has given Hong Kong fans a reason to be optimistic about the future. Westwood's commitment to a possession-based style is a sign that he is looking to build a team that can compete on the international stage. His message to the fans after the match shows that he understands the importance of connecting with them, and that he is determined to make them proud.
Hong Kong's footballing future is bright, and it is exciting to see how Westwood and his team will develop in the years to come. With Westwood at the helm, Hong Kong football is poised for a resurgence.
