EAFF E-1 Men: Hong Kong vs. South Korea Preview
(Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
Fixture: Hong Kong vs. South Korea
Competition: EAFF E-1 Football Championship Matchday 2
Competition: EAFF E-1 Football Championship Matchday 2
Venue: Yongin Mireu Stadium, Yongin
Date: Friday 11th July, 8:00 PM KST
Last Time Out
Highlights
South Korea, meanwhile, got their EAFF title pursuit up and running with a 3-0 win over China. Lee Dong-gyeong opened the scoring with a wonderful, curling effort from just outside the box nine minutes in, before Joo Min-kyu nodded in a second on 21 minutes, before Kim Ju-sung capped off the win on 57. It was a comprehensive win for South Korea, and a match they were in full control of from the opening exchanges. It was also a match that saw debuts being handed to a handful of players. Kim Bong-soo started the match, while Kang Sang-yoon, Lee Ho-hae, Seo Min-woo, and Mo Jae-hyeon came off the bench in the second half.
Highlights
Head-to-Head
There have been 30 meetings between the two teams over the years, with South Korea winning 26, Hong Kong one, and three draws. The most recent encounter was the 2022 EAFF when South Korea ran out 3-0 winners. Each of the last six meetings has been in the EAFF or previous versions of the tournament, with the last encounter outside of the East Asia Cup being 1997 - a 4-0 South Korea win in a 1998 World Cup qualifier.
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| (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images) |
In EAFF action alone, there have been six meetings, with all six ending in wins for South Korea, with 17 scored and three conceded. Hong Kong's last win over the Taeguk Warriors dates back to 1958, a 3-2 friendly win in Hong Kong.
The Opposition
What did you think of the performance against Japan?
The performance against Japan is definitely not one to be celebrated. It becomes evident that the depth of talent in Japan is enormous, and the gap between the two teams will continue to be huge for some time.
Still, most fans will not read too much into the game, and the fact that we recorded our first goal in the EAFF Final Round in 22 years should not go unnoticed. Hong Kong has made incremental progress in terms of possession and creating goal-scoring chances. Westwood also seems willing to adapt mid-game, from his more experimental approach to a more conservative one.
What does this tournament (one that has been dominated by Korea and Japan over the last few editions) mean to Hong Kong?
Yes indeed. This competition has long been dominated by both Japan and Korea. If Hong Kong earns a spot in the Final tournament, we know we are not here competing for the trophy, and we always treat it as a good opportunity to play against some quality opponents from the region. Coaches also put their philosophies into practice without pressure for an extraordinary result. Also, a good platform for some of our players to showcase their skills to scouts in East Asia.
What are the expectations from the fans and media?
Generally, fans and media don't expect much from the EAFF tournament, as we well understand the gap between us and the giants like South Korea and Japan. As long as the scores are respectable, the fans would gladly take that. However, after the friendly victory vs. China in 2024 (as part of the Asian Cup preparation) and recent win over India in Asian Cup Qualification, there is a growing number of fans becoming confident about Hong Kong's odds against China and hoping to replicate that success.
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| (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images) |
Hong Kong were in good form before the tournament started, bouncing back from the loss to Liechtenstein. How confident are you of that form continuing against Korea and China?
I won't say I am confident in pulling an upset versus Korea, and I believe most fans are realistic enough to expect a defeat. However, the ultimate goal for the team is to play with our own style, occasionally control the games, and wage a close battle against China to secure a positive result.
Who would you say are Hong Kong's key players?
The best attacker, Everton Camargo, will be unavailable for the tournament due to injury. Still, opponents should have a close look at players like Shinichi Chan (LB), Yue Tze-nam (RB), and Matt Orr (CF). Chan has been starting for Shanghai Shenhua in the past year, while Yue and Orr also appear regularly in the China Super League.
What can we expect tactically?
You may have heard about Jorn Andersen drastically transforming Hong Kong into an aggressive, attacking-minded high press machine in the 2024 Asian Cup, but Hong Kong has again evolved tactically under Ashley Westwood. He usually fields a 4-1-4-1 on paper, but in-game formation resembles more like a 3-2-4-1, with one centre back pushed up to form a box midfield. The hybrid tactical style improves stability at the back and offers a numerical advantage in attack. However, whether Westwood's philosophy, which is rather modern to Hong Kong football, will work against the best teams in Asia remains to be seen.
By Kaho Lam from Hong Kong Kickers
What to Watch
Hong Myung-bo spoke about the back-three system that he opted for in the win over China, saying he could use it at the World Cup next year. The Hong Kong game could be a chance for Hong to see which other players he can use in that system, with versatility key. Park Jin-seop and Park Seung-wook will be asked to play in different positions, either as a centre back or central midfielder for the former, or right back and centre back for the latter. Hong said, speaking to the press afterwards, that ball distribution and transitions from the three centre backs (Kim Ju-sung, Park Jin-seop, Park Seung-wook) were "quite good," but it's "still early." Expect more of the same in terms of shape, but perhaps with different personnel. Cho Hyun-taek could start at left wingback, while former Olympic team captain Byeon Jun-soo could slot in at centre back.
Korea will have seen the Samurai Blue put Hong Kong to the sword and will want to do the same to boost their goal difference.
Prediction
Although some rotation will be likely, not just to give players adequate rest before what's expeted to be the crunch decider with Japan on the 15th, but with captial region in the midst of a heat wave too, South Korea will be too strong for Hong Kong and if they get on the scoresheet early, they could go on to score four or five.
Hong Kong 0-4 South Korea
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