Hong Kong striker watches Haaland video to learn how to score goals

Matthew Orr studies superstar Erling Haaland's goals, and hopes to score against Vietnam today to end the Hong Kong team's goal drought.

* Vietnam - Hong Kong: 7:30 p.m. today, on VnExpress.

Matthew Orr is currently the top scorer in the Chinese Super League with seven goals in eight games for Guangxi Pingguo Halio. The 1997-born striker hopes to bring this form to the national team to help Hong Kong end a three-game goalless streak.

"I'm scoring consistently at club level and I'm very confident," Orr told the South China Morning Post . "I hope to continue that form into the Vietnam game, helping the team create some chances and score goals."

Hong Kong striker Matthew Orr. Photo: AFC — Hong Kong striker Matthew Orr. Photo: *AFC*

Orr assessed that Vietnam is a strong team but the friendly nature helps reduce tension. According to him, Hong Kong will play with the spirit of having nothing to lose, trying to make the best of the opportunities created. "You only have one or two chances in the match, and the striker's responsibility is to make the most of them," the striker added.

The 6ft 8in Orr, who started out as a winger but has moved into the box to play as a centre-forward, says he is taking cues from Poland and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, England and Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, who scored 52 goals as Manchester City won the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League treble this season.

"I've been watching all their recent goals on video," Orr said. He noted that Lewandowski scored 31 of his 33 goals from the penalty area, with Harry Kane scoring 28 of his 30, and Erling Haaland scoring almost all of them. "When the ball comes into the box or bounces off, they're always in the right place at the right time. I think that's important, and I try to learn from that and put it into the game."

Playing for Hong Kong, Orr has only scored three goals in 11 matches, but is still the team's top scorer at the moment. Coach Jorn Andersen regrets not having the services of striker of mixed Nigerian-Hong Kong descent, Michael Udebuluzor. The 19-year-old striker is playing for the youth team of FC Ingolstadt 04 in the German Third Division, but does not have a Hong Kong passport so cannot play.

After the friendly match with Vietnam at Lach Tray Stadium, Hong Kong will return home to host Thailand on June 19.

Hieu Luong

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