Hong Kong, China vs Uzbekistan Match Analysis & Prediction
21/03/2024 3:00 pm
The AFC World Cup qualifiers resume this week, with Hong Kong, China taking on Uzbekistan at Mong Kok Stadium on Thursday.
The Dragons of Hong Kong are bottom of Group E with one point after four matches, while the White Wolves of Uzbekistan are second with four points, just behind group leaders Iran on goal difference.
Ranked 154th in the latest FIFA rankings, Hong Kong started their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign by beating Bhutan 4-2 on aggregate in the first round to make it into the group stage.
Grouped alongside Iran, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, Hong Kong lost their opening match 4-0 away in Iran, before getting their first point in a 2-2 draw with Turkmenistan on home soil.
The Dragons head into the double-header against Uzbekistan looking to record their first-ever win over the White Wolves and also bag three points for the first time in the group stage.
Hong Kong’s only win this year was a 2-1 victory over arch-rivals China on January 1, but that was followed up with 2-1 and 2-0 defeat to Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia respectively before they headed to the Asian Cup.
Jorn Andersen’s side failed to pick up a point during the Asian Cup in January, conceding seven goals while scoring just once to exit the competition in the group stage.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan head into this contest in fine form having last lost any game in 90 minutes of football in September, which was a 3-0 defeat to the United States in an international friendly.
Srecko Katanec’s side have since played 12 matches, including two World Cup qualifiers, international friendlies and the Asian Cup which they exited through penalties after a 1-1 draw with eventual winners Qatar in the quarter-finals.
The White Wolves are second in their World Cup qualifying group after beating Turkmenistan 3-1 and salvaging a 2-2 draw against Iran, who are just ahead due to a superior goal difference.
Uzbekistan are currently ranked 66th in the latest rankings released by FIFA, climbing two spots from the previous rankings, a testament to their improvement over the years.
Hong Kong, China vs. Uzbekistan Head to head
In the six previous meetings between these two teams, Uzbekistan have claimed three victories while they have drawn in three. Hong Kong have scored three goals and conceded nine in the process.
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19/11/2003Hong Kong, China0Uzbekistan1Asian Cup Qualification
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16/08/2006Uzbekistan2Hong Kong, China2Asian Cup Qualification
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06/09/2006Hong Kong, China0Uzbekistan0Asian Cup Qualification
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06/02/2013Uzbekistan0Hong Kong, China0Asian Cup Qualification
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19/11/2013Hong Kong, China0Uzbekistan2Asian Cup Qualification
Hong Kong, China Team News
Brazilian-born Lee Man midfielder Dudu could receive his first taste of action for Hong Kong, having recently swicthed nationality and is now eligible to represent the Dragons.
Lee Man defender Tsui Wang Kit is also back with the squad as he returns from injury and will be in line to start for the hosts.
Hong Kong, China's Last 5 Matches
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04/01/2024Hong Kong, China1Tajikistan2Friendlies
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10/01/2024Saudi Arabia2Hong Kong, China0Friendlies
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14/02/2024UAE3Hong Kong, China1AFC Asian Cup
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19/01/2024Hong Kong, China0IR Iran1AFC Asian Cup
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23/01/2024Hong Kong, China0Palestine3AFC Asian Cup
Uzbekistan Team News
Uzbekistan record goalscorer and skipper Eldor Shomurodov is back in the fold after missing out on the Asian Cup due to a leg injury he sustained while playing for his club Cagliari.
Estenglal winger Jaloliddin Masharipov, who played as centre-forward during the Asian Cup, is expected to return to the wing for this match.
Uzbekistan's Last 5 Matches
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13/01/2024Uzbekistan0Syria0AFC Asian Cup
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18/01/2024India0Uzbekistan3AFC Asian Cup
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23/01/2024Australia1Uzbekistan1AFC Asian Cup
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30/01/2024Uzbekistan2Thailand1AFC Asian Cup
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03/02/2024QatarP 1Uzbekistan1AFC Asian Cup
Hong Kong, China vs. Uzbekistan: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
1X2: 2
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