Leon Jones has urged Hong Kong to finish their East Asian Championship campaign in historic style when they meet China on Tuesday.
Hong Kong were rigid and determined in a 2-0 loss to hosts South Korea on Friday, three days after failing to do themselves justice in a heavy 6-1 defeat by Japan.
Centre-back Jones credited a change of structure for “making us more competitive” and said a first meaningful meeting with the Chinese since 2022 was “a chance, against good opposition, to show what we can do”.
Hong Kong beat China 2-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly on New Year’s Day last year, but May 19 marked the 40th anniversary of the city team’s only competitive success against their mainland rivals: a 2-1 World Cup qualifying win in Beijing.
“A lot of people feel strongly about the Hong Kong team, and China is a big derby game; a big rivalry,” Jones said.
“I know it means a lot to our travelling support, and to the fans back in Hong Kong.
“It’s the same for everyone in our squad It means a lot to us.
“I don’t think players tend to look at records, but … if we win, it would end that 40-year record and make the people of Hong Kong very proud.”
Hong Kong have lost their four previous East Asian encounters with China by an aggregate score of 8-1. Their task of breaking that sequence could be complicated by Chinese league clubs ordering their Hong Kong players back to the mainland before next week’s match. Jones’ three fellow defenders, Shinichi Chan, Oliver Gerbig and Yue Tze-nam, are among seven of the 24-man squad based in mainland China.
“If we’re losing players, it’ll be a challenge, but also an opportunity for someone else to step in, make Ashley [Westwood] take notice and stake a claim for a place in the team,” Jones said.
For Jones, the game at Yongin Mireu Stadium will supply a chance to put himself in the shop window after he recently left Kitchee following the end of his contract.
The 27-year-old, who was born in Scotland to a Hongkonger mother, has 14 caps following a debut in June last year.
“People in China will be watching the game and, as with any of my caps, it’s an opportunity to impress,” Jones said. “Not just Chinese clubs, but teams from other leagues, too.
“I’m trying to focus on doing my best for Hong Kong, then if an opportunity comes from performing well, that would be great.”
A former Scotland youth international, Jones has started all 13 matches since Englishman Westwood took charge last August.
He said the “manner of defeat” in the 6-1 hammering by Japan, which emphatically drew a line under an unbeaten 10-match run, had “left everybody upset”.
“We don’t think the gap between the teams is as big as 6-1, but we conceded early and didn’t adjust our style quickly enough,” Jones said.
A more circumspect Hong Kong mounted a largely effective rearguard against the Koreans, which Jones said would provide a springboard for tackling China.
Hong Kong will have an extra day’s rest, with China in action against Japan on Saturday night.
“In tournament football, you have to look forward. It was good to have a game three days after Japan, rather than having to wait a week,” Jones added.
“Part of being a player is to learn from your mistakes and go again.
“The extra day might give us a little bit of an advantage, but not much. Both teams will be up for it and it’ll be a good game.”
https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3317962/hong-kong-defender-targets-historic-win-break-40-year-drought-against-china