Mainland Chinese coach, player rue ‘disrespect’ shown to Hong Kong in fiery football clash
Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup controversy draws call for understanding from mainland team’s coach, as player says fracas was ‘my fault’
Guangdong head coach Zhou Suian has tried to build bridges after two of his players baited Hong Kong supporters during Wednesday’s heated Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup second-leg clash.
Home fans threw drinks in paper cups and other objects at Guangdong’s opening goalscorer Behram Abduweli at Hong Kong Stadium, after he cavorted in front of them following his 32nd-minute strike.
Kyle Lau Ka-kiu equalised for Hong Kong, but with the tie poised at 2-2 on aggregate, following last week’s 1-1 first leg, Xia Dalong headed a decisive 86th-minute goal before animatedly celebrating in front of furious local supporters, while Zhou gestured for them to stop doing so.
Abduweli was later targeted with more missiles when he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in stoppage time.
Zhou hoped the two goalscorers could be forgiven for their exuberance, saying “they were participating in the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup for the first time, so they were very happy after scoring”.
“Maybe they forgot about the fans of the home team when they were happy,” Zhou added.
