Hongkongers are set to have another, notably more sporting, outlet for their anti-mainland sentiments, after China and Hong Kong were drawn in the same group for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The draw yesterday in Kuala Lumpur saw China and Hong Kong in a potentially awkward matchup in Group C, which also contains Qatar, the Maldives and Bhutan.
When the two sides met in the 1986 World Cup qualifier in Beijing, our boys beat China 2-1, slashing their hopes of reaching the tournament and sparking riots in the streets.
When we were pitted against each other most recently in the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup finals, however, we were beaten 1-0 at home before being hammered 7-0 in the return match in Guangzhou.
This year, China is, of course, leading the group, ranked 82nd in the world. We are slated to host our deadly rivals on Sept. 3, while the return match in China is likely to be on Nov. 17.
Below are all the groups for those mistakenly thinking the World Cup isn’t just about China Vs Hong Kong:
Group A: U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Palestine, East Timor, Malaysia
Group B: Australia, Jordan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh
Group C: China, Qatar, Maldives, Bhutan, Hong Kong
Group D: Iran, Oman, India, Turkmenistan, Guam
Group E: Japan, Syria, Afghanistan, Singapore, Cambodia
Group F: Iraq, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei
Group G: South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Myanmar, Laos
Group H: Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Philippines, North Korea, Yemen
