Hong Kong's football chief has voiced his support for manager Ashley Westwood amidst growing calls for his sacking from disgruntled fans, following the team's failure to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) president, Pui Kwan-kay, has declared he will not bow to pressure, even that stemming from critical comments made by the city's sports minister, Rosanna Law.
The calls for Westwood's dismissal intensified after Hong Kong's 2-1 defeat to Singapore at Kai Tak Stadium, a result that crushed their hopes of participating in the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. Angry fans flooded social media platforms, voicing their discontent with the Englishman's tactics and team selection. A primary complaint was Westwood's delayed use of substitutes and his decision to leave players like Philip Chan Siu-kwan, Wong Wai, and Jesse Yu Joy-yin on the bench.
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, also expressed her disappointment and questioned Westwood's decisions. Law stated that many fans shared differing opinions from Westwood's plans and emphasized the need for serious reflection. She noted the team's proactive first-half performance but also their physical decline in the second half.
Westwood, who took charge of the team in August 2024, has faced a "love-hate relationship" with Hong Kong supporters. Previously, he drew criticism for excluding striker Lau Chi-lok from the squad, leading to jeers and chants of "Westwood out". In response to earlier criticism, Westwood had lashed out at fans, accusing them of "knowing nothing about football".
Despite the recent backlash, Westwood remains defiant and insists he has the backing of the HKFA. He defended his team's performance, stating that they have shown improvement under his leadership and have become "contenders" in games. He also addressed his selection of 41-year-old goalkeeper Wang Zhenpeng, explaining that first-choice Tse Ka-wing was feeling pressured. Westwood added that he would remain in charge for the reverse India fixture in March unless he was sacked.
While some fans remain critical, others have urged for calm and continued support for the team. Some fans believed the defeat wasn't anyone's fault, and that constantly changing the team leadership wouldn't solve anything.
Westwood has highlighted the team's progress under his tenure, pointing out that they had lost seven out of nine competitive matches before his arrival but have since become a "winning side". He also suggested the possibility of Hong Kong qualifying for the Asian Cup "through the back door," referencing an investigation into alleged falsified documents by the Football Association of Malaysia.
