Hong Kong will overcome hostile Bangladesh Asian Cup atmosphere, pledges forward
Mahama Awal set to be roared on by family and friends in birth-country Cameroon as city team gear up for pivotal qualifiers
Mahama Awal has backed Hong Kong’s energy to combat a hostile home crowd in Bangladesh this week, and the winger anticipated a packed Kai Tak Stadium helping the city team turn on “maximum power” in the return clash.
Bangladesh’s National Stadium is poised to be full to its 22,000 capacity for Hong Kong’s visit on Thursday, after an initial wave of 19,000 tickets was snapped up in 24 minutes.
The Football Association of Hong Kong China, meanwhile, said the 50,000-capacity Kai Tak had sold out, barely 24 hours after tickets became available for the game on October 14.
However, the governing body did not release any figures and previously claimed the game against India had sold out, even though the attendance was 42,000.
Winger Awal was called up for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers after injury ruled him out of last month’s King’s Cup meetings with Iraq and Fiji.
“I’m so happy to come back and I’m ready to perform,” Awal said. “We’ve heard Bangladesh is a very difficult place to go, but we’re strong and ready. We’ll go there full of energy and positivity, and give everything to win … we need the points to qualify.”