HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s goalkeeper threw down the gauntlet to four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi yesterday, declaring he was “very confident” he could stop any penalties by the Barcelona icon at a friendly in the Chinese city.
His team’s ranking of 164th in the world notwithstanding, Yapp Hung-Fai drew laughter as he challenged the Argentinian player, who missed a first-half penalty against Brazil during a friendly in Beijing on Saturday.
It was his second penalty miss in two weeks after he also miscued one for his club last month against Levante.
“I am very confident I could save a Messi penalty because I saw him miss in Brazil,” Yapp, leaning forward and grinning, told a press conference at the Hong Kong Stadium. Messi was not present.
“I would have full confidence I could save it,” the 24-year-old, widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Hong Kong, declared.
Hong Kong coach Kim Pan-gon was slightly more circumspect, saying that how to stop Messi was a question for defenders the world over -- but that his side “should not fear” meeting Argentina on the pitch. Hong Kong take on the mighty World Cup finalists Argentina today in an exhibition game marking the Hong Kong Football Association’s centennial celebrations.
Argentina manager Gerardo Martino told reporters his side’s 2-0 loss against Brazil on Saturday would not affect their performance on Tuesday.
Neither would Hong Kong’s low world ranking, he added, vowing his team would play their best in the exhibition game.
The long journey halfway across the world to Asia had not affected Messi or the rest of the team’s ability to play, he said.
“I will confirm the starting line-up after training tonight,” he said, without revealing how long he might play Messi for.
Asked how Argentina were bouncing back from their World Cup final loss to Germany earlier in the year, Martino said the team was focused on the road to Russia in 2018.
“No one knows what will happen in the next four years,” he said.
Meanwhile, Brazil coach Dunga denied yesterday insinuating drug use in the Argentina camp after he was filmed pinching his nose and pointing at the rival bench during the weekend win in Beijing.
Dunga, questioned over the incident during Brazil’s trip to Singapore, said he was making reference to severe pollution in the Chinese capital which gave players blocked noses.
Saturday’s “Superclasico” friendly was anything but, as a fired-up Brazil won 2-0 to restore pride against their fierce rivals following a poor World Cup campaign on home soil.
“I never mentioned that the players were using drugs. This kind of statement came from the media,” Dunga told reporters in Singapore, where Brazil play Japan on Tuesday.
“Maybe it’s due to the pollution in China that players had blocked noses all the time.”
Media interpreted Dunga’s repeated gesture as a “cocaine nose”, implying drug use. Argentine legend Diego Maradona has endured well-publicised struggles with cocaine.
“If Brazil wants a competitive team we have to go for new tactics,” Dunga said, defending his animated behaviour.
“Otherwise the players will be playing calmly and I think this is not what Brazilians expect for the Brazilian team.” Dunga is looking for a fourth straight win since taking over following Brazil’s humiliating World Cup exit, when they were beaten 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals. AGENCIES
