***I DON’T HAVE FIFA’S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT TO USE, TALK, THINK OR EVEN YELL AT RANDOS FROM MY BALCONY ABOUT ANY NAMES, COUNTRIES OR EVENTS MENTIONED IN MY FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 COVERAGE, SO FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS FROM HERE ON IN, THE EVENT WILL BE REFERRED TO AS QLAMQTAR 2022.***
The Qlamqtar 2022 World Cup’s only about 14 moons away (depending on your own set of lunarcircumstances), I’m going to be answering all the burning questions leading up to the tournament. Today, I take a look at Hong Kong, who have never qualified for a World Cup.
HONG KONG
The fun ends in 26 years
Nickname: The Strength
FIFA Ranking: 148 (Oct 2021)
FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualification result: Failed to qualify
Since becoming a member of FIFA in 1954, Hong Kong has punched well above its weight in the world game, winning minor continental tournaments, holding its own in Asian Cup qualifying and even pushing its bitter rivals China in recent World Cup qualification. But just so you know, if you’re planning to tune into to watch The Strength competing as a free nation post-2047, maybe just forget it. For reasons that no one is allowed to go into, and no one even dare mention, Hong Kong has only 6 more chances to qualify for a World Cup, upon when it’s 50 year Basic Law of autonomy expires and China takes full control over it. So whether you’re a Hongkonger, Chinese or Lebron James, just enjoy the next 26 years, because actually you know what, it’s best to just drop it right there. Just leave it.
One to watch: That surveillance camera
You’re gonna wanna keep an eye on that surveillance camera on your street, in your workplace or classroom, especially If you’re even thinking of uttering the words ‘Free Hong Kong’, ‘Hong Kong is not China’, or even ‘Hong Kong’ for that matter.
The highpoint: Defeating China 2-1,World Cup 1986 qualifying
Hong Kong’s 2-1 away defeat of China not only was its first win over its annoying non-ruler ruler, but it also dashed any hopes its non-ruler ruler had of reaching the World Cup by eliminating it from contention, and to boot, it sparked riots, causing an incident that’s still remembered as the ‘May 19 incident’. Win-Win-Win!
Learn the lingo & speak like a local!
