Sun Pegasus centre-back, Festus Baise, has been called up to the Hong Kong team in preparation for World Cup qualifiers.
The Nigerian-born footballer, who can play as a centre half or as a defensive midfielder, was included in coach Kim Pan-gon 35-member preliminary squad for Hong Kong’s first match in the qualifiers in June.
Hong Kong face Guam in a friendly at Mong Kok Stadium on March 28 as they build up for Asian zone qualifiers in the summer.
The draw for the qualifying competition will be made in Tokyo next month and Kim is looking forward to the games as well as the opportunity to give Baise some playing time.
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“This will be the only possible friendly match we can have before the qualifiers,” kim said.
“I know the clubs will be very busy with domestic or regional cup schedules but I need the match to test many of the players who will be part of my plan.
“Baise told me he has just obtained his Hong Kong passport and I want to give him a chance, as well as some of the players who are playing in the China league.”
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Baise came into limelight for the wrong reason after scoring an own goal past his goalkeeper Tse Tak Him in a 3–2 win over Sun Hei SC in the Hong Kong first division on December 16, 2011.
The video was featured on the website of the British newspaper The Sun and was viewed over five million times on YouTube.
It was selected as the 5th best own goal of all time by the Daily Telegraph.
Kim, though, will be hoping for a scoring debut for his ward – at the right net.
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