HONG KONG ‘CHANGING THE NARRATIVE’, AS TEAM BEGINS BID TO REACH ASIAN CUP IN SAUDI ARABIA

Defender Oliver Gerbig on guard ahead of clash with hosts' 'quick and athletic' forwards, but optimistic about 2027 qualifying prospects

Oliver Gerbig said an unprecedented winning streak was "changing the narrative" around Hong Kong, as the team prepared to begin their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying quest in Singapore on Tuesday.

Ashley Westwood's side warmed up for the biggest game of the Englishman's reign by beating Macau 2-0 last week to extend their winning run to a record-breaking seventh match.

But to reach the finals in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong must top a group also featuring India and Bangladesh.

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Defender Gerbig played the entire game against Macau on Thursday after speaking to head coach Westwood about the importance of "getting minutes in my legs", given he did not feature in either of club team Henan FC's opening two Chinese Super League matches.

After arriving in Singapore 24 hours later, Gerbig was among a Hong Kong contingent who went to watch the understrength hosts lose 1-0 in a friendly to Nepal.

"It was good to see them play, but it wasn't their full team, we know their frontline is very quick and athletic, and we have to be switched on," Gerbig said.

"Every game in this group is going to be tough, and the conditions for all the away matches will be challenging, so it's important to have a good start. We're building something good and changing the narrative ... we're trying to be a team that competes and wins games."

Along with goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai, Gerbig is one of only two players who have been on the field for every minute of Westwood's eight matches in charge.

Of the team that started against Macau, the 26-year-old was one of five who began Hong Kong's closing fixture at last year's Asian Cup finals in Qatar, a 3-0 loss to Palestine that followed narrow defeats by the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

"We talk about wanting to go back to the Asian Cup because of the whole experience and how it felt to be there," Gerbig said. "We competed [in all three matches], but didn't get any points, so the goal next time is to win games and be more competitive."

Westwood made one change to his squad for Singapore, with Anson Wong Ho-chun replaced by striker Michael Udebuluzor, who scored in the under-22s' 2-2 draw in Myanmar on Saturday.

"Michael has a lot of potential, he's very athletic and good at holding up the ball, as well as running in behind, so he brings a lot to the team," Gerbig said.

Fernando is poised to continue in a defensive midfield role where he has flourished under Westwood. The 38-year-old is twilight of his career, however, and Gerbig is among those earmarked to fill it long-term.

"I used to play as a No 6, and the [hybrid] role is one I enjoy, I can see myself doing it if it's what the gaffer wants in future," Gerbig added.

Gerbig joined Henan from Kitchee 12 months ago, but after being sparingly used by his new club spent the second half of 2024 helping Dalian Yingbo win promotion from China League One.

"I enjoyed my time at Dalian, there were a lot of talks in pre-season with them and other clubs, but Henan decided they wanted me to stay," Gerbig said. "They're the club that signed me, so I have to respect their decision."

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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

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2025-03-24T01:43:51Z