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Journalism of Courage
MARGAO, JANUARY 13: The fact that Hong Kong has brought a near-total National squad means they are here with reason. As coach Arie Adrianus Van der Zouwen, a Dutchman, puts it is a part of Hong Kong’s preparation for the pre-World Cup qualifiers later this year.
“More so it’s match experience,†he asserts. With Romania, as their opponents on Sunday, in the Sahara Millennium Cup here at the Nehru Stadium, “a good show†is what Arie expects from his team. With just three teams, including Jordan, making up group-C the match for Romania remains of utmost importance. Having lost their opener to Jordan, a “must win†is their need of the hour as a loss would mean going back to their holidaying time in Romania, where the league goes through a lay-off period.
Secondly, with just two teams making it to the knock-out phase, and Hong Kong yet to play the pressure is definitely on. However, if Hong Kong boasts of “ninety-five†percent of their best, they do have a problem on hand. Their captain defender Wong Wai-Tak, owing to a twisted left ankle sustained while practice back home, remains doubtful. “I wish he could play,†informs Arie, but then says, “the game must go on.†The likely replacement would be Cha Wai-Ho. On his chances, Arie, who closely observed the Romania-Jordan encounter, adds: “Romania did not impress, though it would be a rather premature statement as I watched it from the sidelines.â€
As a coach one ought to be optimistic as it is his team that plays and not his assessment in the final count. Ranked 123 in the world and with Arie just in the job four months, Hong Kong, remains the only team to have taken this tournament seriously apart from India.
Romania, on the other hand has had quite a few reasons to their debacle on Thursday. “Long flight, playing after a long lay-off, and the latest being some players not receiving their luggage which include their playing kits,†are some very ridiculous excuses being voiced by coach Remus Vead, when one considers that officially they are ranked poles apart from the rest in the tourney.
A brief work out on the beach of the Taj Village and a hectic practice session at the Duler ground (Mapusa) was what the Romanians went through. “We will win,†was how Remus put his chances. However, if one jinx has to be overcome it would be that of being defeated by an Asian country, Jordan in this case, as Hong Kong unquestionably remains yet another Asian opponent.
