In the Asian Games Men's Soccer Semi-Final on October 4, Hong Kong, China and Japan had a fierce battle. However, the final result ended in a 0-4 defeat for Hong Kong, China, which missed the chance to enter the final. Japan with this victory, the fourth Asian Games men's soccer final stage. For Hong Kong, China, the top four results have hit a record high. It is worth noting that the Hong Kong Men's Football Team is even ranked higher than the Chinese Men's Football Team (ranked 7th). ! [Match Highlights](https://www.ballti.com/UploadFiles/163img/202310/202351205201005024903339.jpg) In the Asian Games Men's soccer tournament, Hong Kong, China was in a group with only two teams - Uzbekistan and Hong Kong, China. After two consecutive losses and finishing at the bottom of the table, 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 Asian Games Men's Soccer Tournament for the first time in its history. Japan, on the other hand, knocked out Myanmar with a 7-0 thrashing in the 1/8 finals and beat North Korea 2-1 in the quarterfinals, and are not to be underestimated. Hong Kong, China's star player An Yongjia led the team's fight. However, Poon Pui Hin, who scored for the team in the quarterfinals, was unable to play in this crucial battle due to suspension. Japan, on the other hand, played a 451 formation with Toshi Ayukawa as the striker. In the 23rd minute of the match, Japan broke the deadlock first: No. 17 player Hino Shota dangled a free kick into the penalty area, and Hong Kong's Sun Mingqian made a mistake in clearing the ball, and Ayukawa Toshi's left-footed shot broke through the goal, giving Japan a 1-0 lead. Although the first half of Hong Kong, China's performance is noteworthy, the attack and defense in order, the ball possession rate of only 41%, but created 9 shooting opportunities and 2 shots on target. However, things took a sharp turn for the worse in the second half, as Hong Kong, China lost its attacking rhythm in the second half and failed to counterattack effectively. The match resumed and in the 54th minute, Japan added another goal: Shirou Kakuo's shot was parried by the goalkeeper, and Shota Hino followed up with a header to add to the score, giving Japan a 2-0 lead. The game went to the 74th minute, Hong Kong, China goalkeeper Xie Jiarong in the backfield out of the ball error, Komiyo broke the ball after the empty goal scored, Japan 3-0 lead. In the 86th minute, Japan's Shota Hino again played heroically, 4-0, the game is no suspense. Despite the second half of Hong Kong, China, all-out counterattack, but the strength gap is obvious, the final score was fixed at 4-0, Japan successfully advanced to the final, Hong Kong, China will participate in the 3-4 final. For Hong Kong, China, into the Asian Games men's soccer quarterfinals has set the team's best record. 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. Regardless of the final result, Hong Kong, China, finished better than the Chinese men's soccer team (which was ranked seventh at the Asian Games). The Japanese 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 Football Final; Japan won the 2010 Asian Games Men's Football Championship; Japan was runner-up in the 2002 and 2018 Asian Games Men's Football Championships.
