Hong Kong’s sports minister, Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, has expressed regret over her social media post about former men's football coach Ashley Westwood. This came after Hong Kong’s tough loss to Singapore in an Asian Cup qualifying match last year. Speaking on a radio show Tuesday evening, Law said her comments were made as a fan, not a government official. Some saw her remarks as inappropriate government interference in football. "As a supporter of the team Hong Kong, China, if I did not feel frustrated, it would be abnormal," she said. "But if I had known [such an interpretation would be made], I would not have said it, as I don’t want people to misunderstand." Westwood was criticized for bringing back goalkeeper Wang Zhenpeng and delaying his substitution until Hong Kong fell behind in the second half. After the loss, Law wrote on Facebook, "Many fans, including myself, have opinions that differ significantly from coach Westwood’s plans!" She added, "I think this is something that must be seriously studied and reflected upon." Westwood said at the time, "The disappointment of not qualifying for the Asian Cup is something I have to live with, and nobody is hurting more than me." The Football Association of Hong Kong said it had no talks with the government about Westwood’s departure. On Tuesday, Law admitted her comment was a fan’s frustration. "But looking back, if people have such strong feelings [about my remarks], I will be more careful in the future," she said. She promised to avoid sharing personal opinions on similar issues to focus better on her official duties. "I have learned a lesson," she added. FIFA requires football associations to remain independent from government interference, with suspension risks for violations. Law also praised Hong Kong football fans as "world-class" for their good behavior after the defeat. "When we lost at such an exciting moment, I was quite worried then as it was natural around the world that the fans would vent their emotions [in a destructive way]," she said. "But that night, I did not see one single overturned trash bin or a damaged road sign. Everyone just dispersed in an orderly manner."