Players compete during the Men's Round of 16 between China's Hong Kong and Palestine at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, Sept 27, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The Hong Kong, China team came in fourth in Saturday’s football bronze medal match, after being beaten 0:4 by Uzbekistan. It was the third time the two teams had clashed at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Despite failing to clinch a medal, having reached the semi-final was still the best achievement ever for the Hong Kong players at the Games.

The team will return to Hong Kong on Sunday afternoon. They’ll play in the first leg of the first round of the Asian section of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Bhutan at Hong Kong Stadium at 8 pm on Oct 12

The bronze medal match kicked off in a heavy downpour. Uzbekistan broke into the penalty area from the right within the first three minutes, but Hong Kong goalkeeper Tse Ka-wing caught the ball in time. However, the Hong Kong team was still breached at the end of the first half, and conceded three more goals in the second half, finishing fourth place.  

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In the previous two competitions against Uzbekistan in Group C late last month, the Hong Kong team ended scored 0:1 and 1:2, respectively.

Tse was driven to tears at the end of the bronze medal match, saying he was sorry for having disappointed the Hong Kong public. However, he said the team still felt lucky for having reached the semi-finals.

“I hope, one day, Hong Kong will be like Uzbekistan, Japan and South Korea that can always make it to the semi-finals,” said Tse.  

Hong Kong’s Happy Valley Racecourse opened to the public on Saturday afternoon for a free live stream of the semi-final between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan, along with 88 Hong Kong Jockey Club off-course betting branches, the Tuen Mun Public Riding School and various  shopping malls across the city.

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Many residents turned up to watch the game, waving flags and banners to cheer up the Hong Kong, China team.

The team will return to Hong Kong on Sunday afternoon. They’ll play in the first leg of the first round of the Asian section of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Bhutan at Hong Kong Stadium at 8 pm on Oct 12.