Nothing to shout about Hong Kong’s naturalised players

“WHY should we be afraid? If their naturalised players are that good, then they would have played for the country of their birth instead of turning out for Hong Kong.”

This was the firm tone taken by one of Malaysia’s three naturalised players, Kiko Insa, who has promised to curtail and limit the influence of Hong Kong’s foreign players in tomorrow’s Asian Cup Group B qualifier at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Insa, who was born in Spain, said he was shocked to learn that Hong Kong had recently granted citizenships to six new players for the match.

“We do not need to fear their naturalised players. I feel we are still in with a good chance to beat them, as long as we do not make too many mistakes.

“Perhaps the difference will be in terms of physical presence on the field, but where speed and team spirit are concerned, I feel we are better,” said defendercum-midfielder Insa at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Complex yesterday.

Right-back Matthew Davies said Malaysia have nothing to fear tomorrow.

“Our neighbours like Singapore have done the same thing as well. The same goes for the Philippines who also have naturalised players in their ranks to beef up their national side.

“But what is the end result? We have played and beaten both Singapore and the Philippines a few times.

“What’s important is how the team prepares for the match, if our preparations are good enough then we can achieve a good result,” said the Australianborn, whose mother in Sabahan.

Forward Darren Lok is the other naturalised player in the national team. Firdaus Hashim