The AFC World Cup qualifiers resume this week, with Hong Kong taking on Uzbekistan on Thursday afternoon at the Mong Kok Stadium.
The Dragons of Hong Kong are bottom of Group E with one point after four matches while the White Wolves of Uzbekistan are second with four points, only behind group leaders Iran on goal difference.
Match preview
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Ranked 154th in the latest FIFA rankings, Hong Kong started off their 2026 World Cup qualification journey by beating Bhutan 4-2 on aggregate in the first round to make it into the group stage.
Grouped alongside Iran, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, the Dragons lost their opening game 4-0 away in Iran, before getting their first point in a 2-2 draw with Turkmenistan on home soil.
Hong Kong head into the double-header against Uzbekistan, looking to record their first-ever win over the White Wolves and also bag three points for the first time in the group stage. However, their form heading into this match leaves a lot to be desired.
The Dragons' only win this year was a 2-1 victory over arch rivals China on January 1, but that was followed up with 2-1 and 2-0 defeats to Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia respectively, before they headed to the Asian Cup.
Jorn Andersen's side failed to pick up a point during the Asian Cup in January, conceding seven goals while scoring just once to exit the competition in the group stage.
This will be Hong Kong's seventh meeting against Uzbekistan, and they have lost three times while drawing the other three. However, all of those meetings were in the Asian Cup qualifiers and this will be the first ever meeting between both countries in a World Cup qualifying match.
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Uzbekistan head into this match in fine form, having last lost any game in 90 minutes of football in September 2023, which was a 3-0 defeat to the USA in an international friendly game.
The White Wolves have since played 12 matches including two World Cup qualifying matches, international friendlies and the Asian Cup which they exited via penalties after a 1-1 with eventual winners Qatar in the quarter-finals.
Srecko Katanec's side are second in their World Cup qualifying group after beating Turkmenistan 3-1 and salvaging a 2-2 draw against Iran who they are only behind due to an inferior goal difference.
Uzbekistan are currently ranked 66th in the latest rankings released by FIFA, climbing two spots from the previous rankings, a testament to their improvement over the years.
Team News
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Brazilian-born Lee Man midfielder Dudu could receive his first taste of action for Hong Kong having recently switched nationalities, and he is now eligible to represent the Dragons.
Lee Man defender Tsui Wang Kit is also back with the squad as he returns from injury and will be in line to start for the hosts.
Nigeria-born Michael Udebuluzor, who switched nationalities to make his debut for the Dragons in 2023, is expected to lead the attack once again.
For Uzbekistan, record goalscorer and skipper Eldor Shomurodov is back in the fold after missing out on the Asian Cup due to a leg injury he sustained while playing for his club Cagliari.
Esteghlal winger Jaloliddin Masharipov, who played as center-forward during the Asian Cup, is expected to return to the wing for this one.
Hong Kong possible starting lineup:
Tse; Chan, Gerbig, Nunez, Yue; Wu, Tan; Orr, Chan, Camargo; Udebuluzor
Uzbekistan possible starting lineup:
Yusupov; Ashurmatov, Eshmurodov, Abdullayev; Sayfiyev, Shukurov, Hamrobekov, Turgunboyev; Fayzullayev, Urunov, Masharipov
We say: Hong Kong 0-2 Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan are significantly better than Hong Kong and should win this tie without too many issues. The White Wolves have never lost to the Dragons in history and they are currently on a run of 12 matches without defeat in 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
