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Hong Kong’s World Cup qualifier heroics soured after Bahrain player appears to directs slant-eyed gesture at home fans

South China Morning Post

發布於 2019年11月15日09:11 • Andrew McNicol
  • Bahrain coach Helio Sousa complains about Hong Kong's time-wasting tactics
  • Sousa says he did not see the gesture but insists the fans created 'an amazing environment'
Bahrain’s Sayed Baqer appears to aim a racist gesture at Hong Kong supporters after a fractious ending the their World Cup qualifying match. Photo: Twitter/@pjrydo
Bahrain’s Sayed Baqer appears to aim a racist gesture at Hong Kong supporters after a fractious ending the their World Cup qualifying match. Photo: Twitter/@pjrydo

Hong Kong's hard-earned draw against Bahrain at So Kon Po stadium on Thursday night was tarnished by a post-match scrap and an opposition player appearing to direct a slant-eyed gesture at the home crowd.

In video footage, Bahrain's Sayed Baqer appeared to quickly pull the gesture at jeering Hong Kong supporters before walking down the tunnel towards the changing rooms.

The match was a joint-qualifier for the Fifa World Cup 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

Baqer " a 25-year-old defender who plays his club football for Al-Nasr SC in Kuwait " appeared upset at the time-wasting tactics employed by some Hong Kong players to see out the match and claim a vital point for the hosts.

After a tense week in, something to cheer for fans at Hong Kong Stadium. Hugely credible World Cup qualifying draw with Bahrain, marred slightly by an apparent racist gesture by Bahrain player at the end of the match #WCQ #HongKongProstests pic.twitter.com/u24ToT3iF7

" Paul Ryding (@pjrydo) November 14, 2019

In the post-match press conference, Bahrain coach Helio Sousa said he did not see the gesture. "I don't know what you are talking about," said the former Portuguese international.

"We were very pleased with the crowd " they created an amazing environment for the game, always supporting and motivating the home team".

Players from Hong Kong and Bahrain came together in the centre-circle after full-time to supposedly shake hands, as is customary. However, some Bahraini players were visibly upset and there were verbal exchanges before minor scuffles broke out as fans continued to boo the visitors.

Sousa cited Hong Kong's lengthy injury treatments and a lack of sufficient injury time as contributors to his players' anger after the game.

"Some situations after the game, I don't know what happened at that moment but this is competition," he said. "We (showed) respect during all 95 minutes. We gave it all and wanted to play football."

Bahrain, who are ranked 101st in the world, were joint-top of group C going into last night's match having beaten 27th-ranked Iran in their last group game. Hong Kong are ranked 145th in the world, and remain in fourth place in the five-team group.

"When we have players being difficult, we don't do nothing. We keep playing," Sousa said.

"Maybe our players were not happy with the time that … (we) were getting from the referee. Three substitutions with each team " the rules are that we must give 30 seconds for each one. Just on that we have three minutes of extra time " just on that."

Several home players were treated for injuries during the second-half, and a number of Bahraini players were seen urging Hong Kong players to get up and directed their anger towards South Korean referee Kim Dong Jin.

"There were five or six times that the (Hong Kong) players needed assistance on the pitch … more time that was lost," Sousa added.

"We respect the game. None of our players went to the floor. But the other team do all they can do. It was a great match, a great challenge. We must be stronger and get more chances."

Hong Kong fans observe minute's silence in memory of Chow Tsz-lok, applaud Bahrain national anthem and boo China anthem

Social media users were left outraged by Baqer's gesture, with many calling for governing body Fifa to take action against the Bahraini.

The Hong Kong Football Association was approached for comment on Friday morning.

Copyright (c) 2019. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

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