Palestinian blanking eliminates Udebuluzor's Hong Kong from AFC Cup
German football's representative on Hong Kong's national football team is headed back to the Bundesrepublik after his Dragons wrapped up their first continental championship in 55 years with three straight defeats.
FC Ingolstadt striker Michael Udebuluzor received a starting nod in his nation's third group stage fixture at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Unfortunately for the 19-year-old, his Hong Kong "Dragons" were unable to turn their disappointing tournament around. Hong Kong's first appearance at the continental showpiece ended with three straight defeats in the group phase. Former Bundesliga trainer Jørn Andersson's side were shut out (0-1) and (0-3) in their final two group stage matches against Iran and Palestine, respectively.
Hong Kong were able to score a goal in their opening group stage fixture against the U.A.E. Udebuluzor featured as a substitute in the first two fixtures, though he was not on the pitch when Siu-Kwan Chan scored an enthralling equalizer for the heavy underdogs. In total, Udebuluzor logged a combined 40 minutes off the bench. Andersson kept him on the pitch for 70 minutes in today's final match. The teenager officially becomes the first of German football's twelve AFC representatives to be officially eliminated from the current competition.
Udebuluzor moved to Germany from his native Hong Kong some five years and has been in the Ingolstadt academy ever since. The player has garnered some German media attention since being nominated for the AFC Cup. It's been an eventful year for both club and country. The youngster officially made his professional debut for his club's senior side via three 3. Liga substitute appearances. Just one month after earning his first call-up for Hong Hong, Udebuluzor bagged a brace in a friendly against Bhutan.