October 4, Asian Games men's soccer semifinals, Hong Kong, China against Japan. 0-4, Hong Kong, China lost and missed the final. Japan entered the men's soccer final of the Asian Games for the fourth time. For Hong Kong, China, the top four is the best record in history. Asian Games men's soccer team, Hong Kong, China's ranking, higher than the Chinese men's soccer team (seventh place).
In the Asian Games Men's soccer tournament, Hong Kong, China had only two teams in Group C (Uzbekistan and Hong Kong, China). After two consecutive 0-point losses, Hong Kong, China eliminated Palestine 1-0 in the 1/8 finals and beat Iran 1-0 in the 1/4 finals to reach the Asian Games Men's Soccer Quarterfinals for the first time in their history. Japan was very strong, knocking out Myanmar 7-0 in the 1/8 finals and beating North Korea 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
Hong Kong, China's star player, An Yongjia, led him onto the pitch. Unfortunately, Poon Pui Hin, who scored in the quarterfinals, was suspended and could not feature in this crucial battle; Japan was in a 451 formation with Ayukawa Toshi leading the front line.
In the 23rd minute, Japan broke the deadlock:17th player Hino Shota free kick was hoisted into the penalty area, Hong Kong, China's Sun Mingqian clearance error, Ayukawa Toshi got the ball, left-footed shot into the net, Japan 1-0 lead.
From the half-time performance, Hong Kong, China played very well, with clear ideas of offense and defense. Although the ball possession rate is only 41%, but created 9 shooting opportunities and 2 positive shots.
In the 54th minute, Japan scored another goal: Shirou Kakuo's powerful shot was parried by the goalkeeper, and Shota Hino followed up with a header, giving Japan a 2-0 lead over Hong Kong, China.
Trailing 0-2, the Chinese fans at the scene shouted "Go, go, go" to cheer for Hong Kong, China. However, the strength of Hong Kong, China could not shake Japan. The 74th minute, Hong Kong, China's goalkeeper Xie Jiarong in the back of the ball out of the error, small see Yang break the ball after the success of the empty goal, Japan 3-0 in Hong Kong, China.
In the 86th minute, Japan's Shota Hino was accurate to make it 4-0 and the game was not in doubt. Hong Kong, China played well in the second half and lost their sharpness in the second half without a counterattack. With the score set at 4-0, Japan easily advances to the final and Hong Kong, China will play in the 3-4 final.
For Hong Kong, China, reaching the quarterfinals of the Asian Games men's soccer team has been the best result in the team's history. Prior to that, their best record was reaching the quarterfinals of the 1958 Asian Games. Despite losing the semifinals, Hong Kong, China still has a chance to compete for the bronze medal - whether they win or not, Hong Kong, China has a better record than the Chinese men's soccer team (which was ranked seventh at the Asian Games).
Japan, mainly from 2001 and 2002, managed to reach the final. This is the fourth time they have reached the men's soccer final at the Asian Games, with Japan winning the 2010 Asian Games Men's Soccer Championship; Japan were runners-up at the 2002 and 2018 Asian Games Men's Soccer Championships.
