The Hong Kong football coach hoping to lead Chinese Taipei to 2027 World Cup

Chan Hiu-ming watched his Chinese Taipei team give China a fright, then spelled out his ambition to break new ground as the first Hongkonger to coach at a World Cup.

The team ranked 42nd in the world battled back from 2-0 down in Hwaseong on Sunday, before a pair of late goals spared China’s blushes and earned them a 4-2 East Asian Football Championship victory.

Chan said that when he took over, in May 2023, he inherited a “passive team” who against the best sides tried “for an acceptable defeat”.

“Now, we try to play with the ball, press and force mistakes,” the 50-year-old added.

The former Lee Man boss had been planning a break after leaving the Hong Kong Premier League club in early 2023, but the opportunity to coach at international level proved irresistible, especially when it involved a side that came within a penalty shoot-out of reaching the last World Cup.

“In men’s football, I wouldn’t be able to touch this … I’m helping players grow, and fight against top-20 teams,” Chan, who has won 13 and lost 13 of 27 games in charge, said. “The potential for a World Cup was the original motivation for me to join. It’s what the girls are dreaming of, and it’s not mission impossible.”