After the stunning group win in qualification for Mexico ’86, where they had progressed at China’s expense thanks to a 2-1 win in Beijing in the final, decisive game, Hong Kong had endured a stuttering qualification campaign for the 1988 Asian Games, where they had come nowhere near of qualifying with no goals and one point from four outings. If this was the new norm, then they would struggle to make much of an impact on this four nations group. Around half the side remained from the Hong Kong XI which had started in that 2-1 win away to China in May ’85. 

Friendlies:

12.02.1989: Hong Kong 0-0 China

13.05.1989: Hong Kong 2-1 Macau

World Cup qualification

Match 1
22.05.1989: Hong Kong 0-0 Japan
Line-up (4-5-1): Ming – Cheung, SW Leung (c), Ku, Yu – Yue (KW Lee 25), Santos, PO Chan, LW Chi (YN Leung 73), Lai – Bredbury

Match 2
27.05.1989: Hong Kong 1-2 North Korea
Goal: Santos 60 (pen.)
Line-up: Ming – Cheung, SW Leung, Ku, Yu – LW Chi, Santos, PO Chan, CF Chi (McDermott 54), Lai – Bredbury

Match 3
04.06.1989: Hong Kong 1-1 Indonesia
Goal: Bredbury 31
Line-up (4-5-1): Ming – Cheung, SW Leung (c), PO Chan, Yu – LW Chi (Wong 78), Ku, Santos, CF Chi, Lai (Yue h-t) – Bredbury

Match 4
18.06.1989: Japan 0-0 Hong Kong
Line-up: Lau – Cheung, SW Leung, PO Chan, Yu – LW Chi, Ku, Santos (NY Leung 76), McDermott, Lai (CF Chi 58) – Bredbury

Match 5
25.06.1989: Indonesia 3-2 Hong Kong
Goals: NY Leung 11, 64
Line-up: Lau – Cheung, SW Leung, PO Chan, WC Chan – KW Lee, Ku, NY Leung, McDermott (Yue 86), Lai (MS Chan 77) – Bredbury 

Match 6
02.07.1989: North Korea 4-1 Hong Kong
Goal: Bredbury 23
Line-up: Lau – Cheung, SW Leung (Tam 81), PO Chan, WC Chan – Pang, Ku (KF Chan 82), NY Leung, McDermott, Lai – Bredbury

Conclusion

Drawing twice with Japan were Hong Kong’s main positives from this qualification campaign, where they finished bottom of the table without a win. They were quite a small team, although they didn’t lack in terms of endeavour. Spirit alone can only get you so far. Organization at the back did seem reasonable in the two outings which we have had available to us for reviewing, and they did have some useful individuals. Centre-back and captain Sui Wing Leung led by example in defence, while diminutive midfield playmaker Leslie Santos was equipped with some excellent control and vision. Further afield in the centre of the park, Chan Fat Chi’s ability to make runs into the box from his attacking midfield role was valuable, while former Liverpool reserves player Tim Bredbury was an alert outlet up top, always contributing with top commitment.