Hong Kong Under-23 Representative Team took on Cambodia in J-Village Stadium, Fukushima prefecture, Japan on Saturday afternoon to kick-off the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 Qualifiers. Hong Kong fell behind by four goals at one point, fought back but still suffered a heartbreaking 2:4 loss in the Group K opener.

Cambodia started the game strongly in the opening minutes, yet shots from Kim Pisoth and Min Ratanak both failed to find the back of the Hong Kong net.

Hong Kong weathered the early storm and threatened the Cambodia goal on the 12^th minute. Jordan Lam made a powerful run down the right-wing and pulled off a long-range blast. However, Cambodia goalkeeper Hul Kimhuy proved equal to the task and tipped the ball over the crossbar.

Moments later, Hong Kong came extremely close to opening the score. Jesse Yu did well on the right flank, dug the ball towards the middle and found teammate Lam Hin-ting. The latter side-footed the ball but was cruelly rejected by the crossbar.

Afterwards, Hong Kong continued to pressure the Cambodia goal. Unfortunately for Hong Kong, efforts from Yip Cheuk-man, Jordan Lam and Oliver Laxton all failed to hit the intended target.

On the 28^th minute, Cambodia gave Hong Kong a great scare. A lovely Cambodia forward pass sent Sieng Chanthea straight behind the Hong Kong defense. The latter ran into the Hong Kong box and fired a running shot, only to be brilliantly turned aside by Hong Kong goalkeeper Tse Ka-wing.

The Cambodians were not to be denied and opened the score late in the first half. Sieng Chanthea picked up the ball on the left wing, cut towards the middle and blasted the ball to the far-side of the Hong Kong net, beating goalkeeper Tse Ka-wing in the process. Hong Kong was down by a goal in the half time break.

Hong Kong desperately tried to come back in the second half and had quality early chances, yet Lam Hin-ting’s header and Jordan Lam’s strike both went wide off target.

On the 54^th minute, Cambodia doubled its lead through a counter-attack. Sieng Chanthea found himself on the receiving end of a teammate’s forward pass. The latter kept his cool and finished things off with a clinical finish. Cambodia was up by two goals.

Two minutes later, Cambodia hit Hong Kong with another goal. Sieng Chanthea made a nice run down the left side and knocked the ball towards the middle. Lim Pisoth took care of the rest and tucked the ball home from doorstep. Cambodia made it a three-goal lead.

Cambodia kept the goals coming and scored once again. This time, Min Ratanak’s unloaded a dangerous strike from the wing and beat Hong Kong goalkeeper Tse Ka-wing. Cambodia was well in command at this point.

Hong Kong tried to fight back and did so on the 82^nd minute. Yuen Sai-kit delivered a teasing cross from the right wing and found Jordan Lam inside the Cambodia penalty area. Lam dished out a leaping header and found the back of the goal. Hong Kong was on the board but still chasing the game 1:4.

Late in the game, Hong Kong’s Chan Shinichi was brought down inside the penalty area. The referee quickly pointed to the penalty-spot. Jordan Lam assumed the spot-kick duty and tucked the ball home.

Both sides failed to add to the score in the remaining regulation time, as Hong Kong fell to Cambodia by 2:4.