Hong Kong head coach Westwood leaves after the team failed to qualify for the Asian Cup

Hong Kong football team head coach Ashley Westwood said on Monday he will step down from the role following the painful defeat to Singapore in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifier.

Westwood came under fire from fans and even Hong Kong’s sports minister after the team squandered an early lead to lose 2-1 to Singapore at Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday.

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) announced that it had “reached an agreement to terminate cooperation” with the 49-year-old Englishman.

«It’s time to step aside. It’s been an incredible 15 months of progress in terms of ranking, playing style and lifting a trophy in the EAFF qualifiers.» Westwood was quoted as saying.

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“The disappointment of not qualifying for the Asian Cup is something I have to live with, and no one hurts more than me. Seeing Kai Tak full of great fans, seven straight wins, record attendances and a united region are memories I will never forget.”

The HKFA did not immediately appoint a successor.

Hong Kong Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law wrote on social media after last week’s loss that her thoughts on match strategy were «quite different» from those of the coach.

Of the twenty matches he was in charge of, Westwood won ten, lost six and saw four draws after taking charge of the team in August 2024.

Published on November 24, 2025