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2024 Paris Olympics: Hong Kong’s women handed ‘tough group’ for football qualifiers

  • Hong Kong placed in Group E alongside the Philippines, Pakistan and Tajikistan
  • Winner from each group will progress to next stage where they will join North Korea, Japan, Australia, China PR, and South Korea

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Hong Kong women’s head coach Ricardo Rambo. Photo: HKFA

Hong Kong will take on the Philippines, Pakistan and Tajikistan in the first round of qualifying for the women’s football tournament at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Ricardo Rambo, the Hong Kong coach, said his side had been handed a “tough group”, and expected the Philippines, who have qualified for this year’s Women’s World Cup, to pose the biggest challenge.

Thursday’s draw, which was made at the Asian Football Confederation’s offices in Kuala Lumpur, marked the start of the long journey for the region’s teams to qualify for the Games.

The draw placed Uzbekistan, Jordan, Timor-Leste and Bhutan in Group A while Myanmar, Iran, Bangladesh and Maldives will battle in Group B.

Group C has Vietnam, Nepal, Palestine and Afghanistan with Thailand, Mongolia, Singapore and Sri Lanka in Group D.

Hong Kong were drawn in Group E, while Taiwan, Indonesia and Lebanon will face off in Group F and India, Kyrgyz Republic and Turkmenistan are in Group G.

“The group is tough, Philippines are preparing to play in the Women’s World Cup, they will play strongly,” Rambo said. “They have played friendly matches and had overseas training camps. In addition, they have new players and good resources.”

China’s women will join the Olympic qualifiers in the second round. Photo: Xinhua
China’s women will join the Olympic qualifiers in the second round. Photo: Xinhua
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