Hong Kong’s men’s football team finally threw off the shackles in their dual Fifa 2022 World Cup and AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifying campaign at Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday night.
Head coach Mixu Paatelainen threw caution to the wind with a front three of James Ha, Alex Akande and Giovane Alves da Silva – and the Finn was rewarded with a first three points of his tenure and two goals to boot.
He was justified in his selection. Ha and Akande’s pace caused problems for the Cambodia defence and those two were involved in the opening goal in the 20th minute. It was scored by Ha, volleying home emphatically, but it was made by the direct running of Akande down the right wing and the cross from Roberto Affonso Jnr.
