Asian Games Football Semi-Final: Hong Kong 0-4 Japan, best record in history
October 4, Asian Games men's soccer semi-final battle is in full swing, Hong Kong, China against Japan. In the end, Hong Kong, China, with a score of 0-4 defeated the opponent, unfortunately missed the opportunity of the final. And the Japanese team for the fourth time into the Asian Games men's soccer final. For Hong Kong, China, such a result has refreshed their best record in history. It is worth mentioning that in the Asian Games men's soccer team, Hong Kong, China's ranking even more than the strong Chinese men's soccer team (seventh place).
In the Asian Games Men's soccer tournament, Hong Kong, China was in Group C with only two teams, 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 quarterfinals of the Men's Asian Games for the first time in history. Japan, on the other hand, also performed well, eliminating Myanmar with a 7-0 thrashing in the 1/8 finals and defeating North Korea 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
Hong Kong, China's star player An Yongjia led the team's charge. Unfortunately, however, Poon Pui Hin, who scored in the quarterfinals, was unable to feature in this match due to suspension. Japan adopted a 451 formation, with Toshi Ayukawa leading the front line.
In the 23rd minute of the match, Japan was the first to break the deadlock: No.17 player Hino Shota hoisted into the penalty area from a free kick, Hong Kong, China's Sun Mingqian made a mistake in clearing the ball, and Ayukawa Toshi seized the opportunity to shoot a left-footed shot into the goal, giving Japan a 1-0 lead.
At the end of the half, Hong Kong, China, although the ball possession rate of only 41%, but still created 9 shooting opportunities and 2 positive shots, performance can be seen.
In the 54th minute, Japan added a second 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 "Come on, come on" for Hong Kong, China. However, in the face of the strength of the Japanese team, the strength of Hong Kong, China is difficult to shake. The 74th minute, Hong Kong, China's goalkeeper Xie Jiarong in the back of the ball out of error, small see Yang break the ball easily after the goal, Japan 3-0 lead Hong Kong, China.
In the 86th minute, Japan's Shota Hino struck again to make it 4-0 and the game was no longer in doubt. Hong Kong, China played well in the second half, but lost their sharpness in offense and failed to form an effective counterattack. In the end, the score was fixed at 4-0, Japan easily advanced to the final, while Hong Kong, China will participate 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 in the semifinals, Hong Kong, China still has a chance to compete for the bronze medal - whether they win or not, they have a better record than the Chinese men's soccer team (who were ranked seventh in the Asian Games men's soccer rankings).
The Japan team, dominated by the 2001 and 2002 teams, managed to reach the final. This is the fourth time they have reached the Asian Games men's soccer final, with Japan winning the 2010 Asian Games Men's Soccer Championship; they were runners-up in the 2002 and 2018 Asian Games Men's Soccer Championships.
