Substituting Chencho worked: Pema Dorji after Bhutan's loss to Hong Kong

Hong Kong defeated Bhutan 4-0 in FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Head coach Jorn Andersen was delighted with his Hong Kong, China's first half display in their 4-0 win over Bhutan on Thursday as the east Asians took a huge step towards qualifying for the second round of the Preliminary Joint Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Michael Udebuluzor scored twice with his head in the opening 15 minutes to give the home side the perfect start before Shinichi Chan and an own goal from Tenzin Norbu gave Andersen’s team a four-goal cushion at the interval.

But while Matt Orr hit the post in the dying moments of the game, Hong Kong, China were unable to add to their haul with a lacklustre second half performance that took some of the gloss off a comfortable win.

“4-0 at home is a good victory,” said the Norwegian. “We played a good first half. I think we did many good things, we created a lot of chances, we made goals. Maybe we could have had more goals in the first half, we had big chances.

“But I really have to say I was not satisfied with the second half. I warned the team at half time, after leading 4-0 that we had to be ready for the second half. Don’t go to sleep, (don’t) stop the press, (don’t) stop the accuracy, (don’t) stop the attack and that was what we were doing.

“I tried after 60 minutes to bring more energy in because we lost a lot of energy, but it was not the same as we did in the first half, where we played very good. But on the whole we can’t be disappointed, we are winning 4-0 in the first game.”

Andersen has fitness concerns over Udebuluzor and winger Everton Camargo, who both left the field with injuries before the end of the game and their involvement in the second leg in Bhutan on Tuesday is uncertain.

“We have to prepare, we have to go together to Bhutan,” he said. “We have some players who got some injuries, they will be checked and then we will sit together and see later what we can do.”

Bhutan coach Pema Dorji was left frustrated by his team’s performance in the opening 45 minutes but remains hopeful that home field advantage in Thimphu will give his side a boost in the second leg.

“In the first half my boys had a lack of concentration,” he said. “They were playing the long ball. Our tactical plan was to keep the ball and to build up from the defending third and only to attack but the plan didn’t work.

“In the second half we told them in the changing room that we have to work on things, controlling the passes and I think by substituting Chencho Gyeltshen it worked.

“We (live) at high altitude and we are used to that, so when we come here to low altitude we have no problem. In the high altitude maybe Hong Kong will have a problem in the altitude with breathing problems and with the weather conditions.

“So with the home crowd, home support, we’re thinking of that in a positive way.”