https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Hong-Kong-v-China-Mongkok/i-5V7CTvD
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Hong-Kong-v-China-Mongkok/i-hW7wwRS
Three hours before kick-off and fans queued around the corner to enter Mongkok Stadium for the World Cup qualifier against China. The atmosphere was electric, the noise and passion there for all to see and hear as ‘We are Hong Kong’ echoed across the territory – loud enough to be heard in the Liaison Office and Beijing.
The fans might have been denied the chance to fill Hong Kong Stadium, but HongKongers pride in their team was evident. Every touch greeted with a roar, every Chinese touch a massed boo. For long periods Hong Kong defence resembled the lion rock, stout, imperious, resolute and quietly in command of all it sees… There were scares with crossbar and post hit multiple times. In attack Hong Kong were often careless with the ball, giving it away far too easily, but the crowd roared them forward, keeping tired legs pumped with adrenaline.
Hong Kong scored the stadium erupted, the referee whistled dis-allowing the goal for a ‘foul’ on the keeper. It was a soft decision, as were the multiple over the top Chinese tackles that should have seen yellow but were ignored. There was a feeling the referee was politically managing the game, looking to ensure nothing he did would harm either team.
Hong Kong had chances, both teams hit the woodwork – irrespective of the impact on World Cup qualifying – the draw was cheered as mightily as a win. We are Hong Kong!
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Hong-Kong-v-China-Mongkok/i-T4HGHpj
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Hong-Kong-v-China-Mongkok/i-wg6pbkx
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Hong-Kong-v-China-Mongkok/i-jFhnNc6
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Hong-Kong-v-China-Mongkok/i-sxGqdpM
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Hong-Kong-v-China-Mongkok/i-Ds994Ss
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Hong-Kong-v-China-Mongkok/i-wGpmKm6
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Hong-Kong-v-China-Mongkok/i-sqMD334
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2015/Hong-Kong-v-China-Mongkok/i-KPXkps3