The EAFF E-1 Football Championship kicks off tonight (6:20pm HKT) as Hong Kong plays in their opener against the hosts, Japan, at the Kashima Stadium.
Coach Jorn Andersen, during his press conference, said that Japan is the strongest opponent of the tournament, especially because they have the support of the home fans. He hopes Hong Kong can learn as much as possible from the stronger teams in this tournament in preparation for the Asian Cup next year.
Key midfielder Mark Tan Chun-lok of Guangzhou City FC has arrived in Japan, but it is unknown when he will make his tournament debut.
After Japan, Hong Kong will face South Korea on Sunday (July 24, 3pm HKT) and China next Wednesday (July 27, 3pm HKT).
The EAFF E-1 Football Championship is a single round-robin format, and the standings will decide the rankings after the games.
The Hong Kong Football Association announced its final squad for the tournament last Friday. Notable players include Mark Tan Chun-lok of Guangzhou City FC, Jacky Leung Nok-hang of Zhejiang FC, and Vas Nunez of Meizhou Hakka FC. The squad is named below:
Goalkeepers: Chan Ka-ho, Paulo Cesar Da Silva Argolo, Ng Wai-him.
Defenders: Fung Hing-wa, Lau Hok-ming, Leung Kwun-chung, Leung Nok-hang, Law Tsz-chun, Vasudeva Das Lilley Nunez, Tomas Maronesi, Ellison Tsang Yi-hang, Sean Tse Ka-keung, Tsui Wang-kit.
Midfielders: Cheng Chin-lung, Sohgo Ichikawa, Ju Yingzhi, Tan Chun-lok, Wong Wai, Wu Chun-ming, Yiu Ho-ming, Yue Tze-nam.
Forwards: Cheng Siu-kwan, Jahangir Khan, Matthew Elliot Orr Wing-kai, Sun Ming-him, Jesse Yu Joy-yin.
Vas Nunez of Meizhou Hakka FC
