Hong Kong coach Westwood rues missed opportunity after Asian Cup draw with Bangladesh
Matt Orr’s penalty gives hosts the lead at crackling Kai Tak, but visitors strike late after Oliver Gerbig is sent off
Ten-man Hong Kong conceded a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Bangladesh on Tuesday, blowing a golden chance to plant one foot in the 2027 Asian Cup finals in the process.
Despite a laboured performance, the home team were on course for victory at a crackling Kai Tak Stadium when Matt Orr broke the visitors’ resistance with a 36th-minute penalty.
Hong Kong were short of thrust and imagination, however, and despite appearing in control, never threatened to add to their lead.
A 76th-minute red card for Oliver Gerbig, for a second bookable offence, put the hosts in survival mode, but they could not hang on.
And eight minutes later, Fahamedul Islam stretched to reach a cross at the back post. His header arrived at the feet of Rakib Hossain, who gleefully dispatched it beyond the hitherto unemployed Tse Ka-wing.
Ashley Westwood acknowledged the draw was a “missed opportunity” for his side after they won so dramatically in Dhaka last week. They have a three-point lead at the top of Group C, with second-placed Singapore poised to meet India in Goa later on Tuesday.