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Jiang Chuqin

Hong Kong football fans continued to vent their anger at head coach Ashley Westwood on Wednesday after the team’s disappointing loss to Singapore, and even the city’s sports minister weighed in, expressing reservations over the boss’ tactics.
Almost 24 hours after the 2-1 defeat at Kai Tak Stadium ended any hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, angry fans swamped the Football Association of Hong Kong, China’s social media platforms, calling for the Englishman to be sacked.
Chief among their complaints was the failure to use his substitutes before what many considered to be too late, and leaving Philip Chan Siu-kwan and the creative duo Wong Wai and Jesse Yu Joy-yin on the bench.
“Everything qualified, except Westwood,” commented one social media user, while hundreds more chanted “Westwood out” with multiple exclamation points under some of the association’s post-game content.
A disappointed Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, added her voice to the discontent, expressing surprise at some of Westwood’s decisions.

Law posted on various social media on Wednesday after a night of being in “no mood to comment much apart from sharing my grief with football fans at the scene”.
“Many fans, including myself, have opinions that differ significantly from coach Westwood’s plans!” Law wrote. “I think this is something that must be seriously studied and reflected upon.”
The team had played “proactively and aggressively” in the first half, Law said, but had not made that superiority count before experiencing a physical decline in the second half.
“Although the next game with India is ‘only for formality’, I believe that the Hong Kong team will still go all out in the spirit of sportsmanship and to thank the fans for their loyal support.
“Let’s all calm down, pick ourselves up, and think positively about how to continue supporting our Hong Kong football team!”
Law was not the only politician getting involved after the game, with Singapore’s acting sports minister has conceded he “should have been more respectful” after calling Hong Kong football fans and players “idiots” in a locker room pep talk to his side, following the city state’s historic win on Tuesday night in Hong Kong.
Some Hong Kong fans, though, believed defeat was no one’s fault in particular, while others said they would continue to support the team despite the result.
“So if they win, we issue an apology letter to Westwood; if they lose, we want Westwood out. The same logic applies to Matt Orr,” wrote one social media user.
“Hey, do you really think everyone can be Alex Ferguson and Erling Haaland? Just make a fuss and change the team leader, and the team will suddenly become invincible? Can’t Hong Kong people stop being so pathetic?”
“I believe the bitter taste of losing a game with such a minor margin would certainly turn the boys stronger next time! Come on! We are Hong Kong!” another social media user wrote.
Westwood also defended his handling in the game and said he expected to continue as coach because “we’ve improved loads”.
“It feels terrible,” he said. “We want to be in big tournaments. We’ve taken expectations to a place where we’re devastated over not qualifying.”
He added that “you can’t apologise for giving your best”.


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Hong Kong’s have been venting their frustration following their team’s loss to Singapore. Photo: Sam Tsang

Singapore players celebrate their famous victory at Kai Tak Stadium. Photo: Sam Tsang

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Singapore’s Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo speaking to Singapore’s national football team in a locker room after their win over Hong Kong in an Asian Cup qualifier match in Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday. Photo: Facebook/David Neo 

Leon Jones (right) of Hong Kong vies with Ryhan Stewart of Singapore during the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers football match between the two sides in Hong Kong on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

Singapore’s Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo addresses on social media about his remarks on Hong Kong’s football team and fans after an Asian Cup qualifier match between Singapore and Hong Kong in Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday. Photo: Instagram 

Ilhan Fandi (front) and Ikhsan Fandi of Singapore celebrate during the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers football match between Hong Kong and Singapore in Hong Kong on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

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Hong Kong’s players face their fans after Tuesday’s defeat at Kai Tak Stadium. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong fans show their support during Tuesday’s match at Kai Tak Stadium. Photo: Sam Tsang

Singapore’s players celebrate while Hong Kong’s are devastated at Kai Tak. Photo: Sam Tsang

Sport

Football

Hong Kong

Supporters take to social media to vent frustration at city’s head coach Ashley Westwood after Asian Cup qualifying loss at home to Singapore


Supporters take to social media to vent frustration at city’s head coach Ashley Westwood after Asian Cup qualifying loss at home to Singapore.


Ashley Westwood

Rosanna Law Shuk-pui

Hong Kong fans want Westwood sacked, while sports minister questions coach’s tactics

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Supporters take to social media to vent frustration at city’s head coach Ashley Westwood after Asian Cup qualifying loss at home to Singapore

Supporters take to social media to vent frustration at city’s head coach Ashley Westwood after Asian Cup qualifying loss at home to Singapore