At first glance there is very little respite from Hong Kong’s Asia Cup qualifier in India on Tuesday, but the rubber-stamp battle could shape the next two years for the city team.
A convincing performance in Kochi will strengthen interim boss Roberto Losada’s case to be selected ahead of more than 300 rivals for the permanent job of head coach.
After what is expected to be the final stage of his public audition for the role, Losada will outline a 24-month plan to his bosses at the Hong Kong Football Association, China, who would like to appoint someone in time for Fifa’s June window.
“(The plan) is not about raising standards, it’s about the very unique situation we have right now,” Losada said. “Other players are getting old, and we don’t have many who will be natives in the next few years, so we have to rely on natives.
“The advantage I have is that I am not only familiar with the Hong Kong league, but with the players that I was with since 14 years old and are now playing in mainland China, I know the names of the players who are coming, and we have good scouting of young people with Hong Kong passports who are playing overseas.
“I have information, and I have an idea that we need to do to have young players ready for the (2030) World Cup qualifiers (probably starting in October next year). Let’s see if the plan is good for the Hong Kong FA.”
