HONG KONG - Former Afghanistan head coach Ashley Westwood has been appointed Hong Kong coach, the city's football association announced on Wednesday.

Westwood, a former Manchester United trainee, replaces Norway's Jorn Andersen, who earlier this year took the city to their first Asian Cup finals since 1968.

Westwood, 47, previously coached Indian clubs Bengaluru FC and Punjab FC while also working with Malaysia's Penang FA and is confident he can lead the team to the Asian Cup when the tournament is held in Saudi Arabia in 2027.

"I don't have any reservations about the quality in Hong Kong," he said. "I've played here before with my Indian sides, I've seen their standard. I think there's good players here."