HK Team

“We are ready for Qatar Game” – Jaimes McKee

By Christopher KL Lau

Hong Kong’s next game in their pulsating World Cup campaign will be away in Qatar on March 24th and a win could mean Hong Kong’s dream run could possibly continue and send them to the promised land of the final Asian World Cup qualifying round where all the big guns like Japan and South Korea will lie in wait.  Whatever the result will be away in Doha, Qatar, Hong Kong’s World Cup campaign has caught the public imagination and reenergized the local game and fan interest to levels not seen in decades. The focal points of discussion have been the fantastic 0:0 draws with China both home and away with the matches moving beyond the realm of mere sports games and into scope of self-identity and a greater sense of community.

One of the mainstays of the Hong Kong team, Jaimes McKee, has been a leading light in driving the Hong Kong team forward and has contributed some crucial goals to keep the national’s side momentum going as the team continues to defy all expectations. On the eve of Hong Kong’s make or break away game against Qatar (who will host the 2022 World Cup) McKee kindly took some time to talk about the teams chances and why the Hong Kong team have been punching above their weight and on the verge of making the final Asian World Cup qualifying round. 

Jaimes McKee discussed the pivotal match against Qatar, the historical games against China and Hong Kong’s sense of self identity.


McKee against China

McKee against China

Do you think the momentum behind the Hong Kong national team will continue beyond the World Cup qualifiers and which direction will the Hong Kong team take now?

You would hope that interest would continue but I guess the problem is that if we don’t qualify for the next stage then I don’t know when our next games (national team)  would be so I think it is important for the Hong Kong football association to try and keep the momentum going. Obviously it has been great the support especially at the games which has been amazing so there is obviously interest there so we need to keep playing friendly games if we can and because we have done well with some good results then hopefully we will get some good friendly matches and this will get some people back to watch games. There is interest there but we need to continue to foster that interest further.

Mckee playing against Bhutan

Hong Kong drew 0:0 with China both home and away. Was this more down to China playing below par or was it due to Hong Kong defying expectations and raising their game?

I think it was a bit of both. I think Hong Kong played well and did great to hold both games nil all and of course China did have chances so obviously there was a little bit of luck involved and that sort of is the beauty of football really as you never really know what the result will be and the underdog can always come up with a surprise result. There was probably uproar in China because Hong Kong is seen as a province of China and a small province really and for us to be able to draw with the whole of China is pretty amazing and they didn’t know how that could be possible.

I don’t know if this was down to Hong Kong playing amazingly or China not playing as well as they could do. Given the size of China and the number of people they do have, they have never really performed well on an international level. The Hong Kong players really gave it their all and I am really proud of the results.

Do you think the Hong Kong Team can get a result? How have you guys been preparing?

It will be a tough game as Qatar are obviously a strong team and they have already won the group while playing away is always more difficult. We have not starting preparing yet (at the time of the interview) but I am sure over the next few days they will announce the squad (McKee was included) and we still start. Everyone will be up for it especially as we have been on a good run and we have not conceded many goals and we are tough team to score against and I think everyone will be motivated and we are looking to get another result especially with our great support.

Why has there been such a surge in interest in the national team? Do you think it is down to a growing sense of self identity?

I do think there is now an increased Hong Kong identity and people need a form of outlet to express this and one of the ways they have done this is through the Hong Kong team.


Qatar Versus Hong Kong – 2018 World Cup Qualifying – March 24th, 2016 in Doha, Qatar. 

Christopher KL Lau is a photographer, editor and marketing consultant for offside.hk https://twitter.com/Chris_KL_Lau

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