Hong Kong midfielder Philip Chan Siu-kwan scored the 1,000th goal in Asian Cup history in the team’s return to the competition’s finals for the first time since 1968 on Sunday, despite the team losing 3-1 to the United Arab Emirates.
Hong Kong, the tournament's lowest-ranked side, put up a good fight against UAE and only conceded its first goal from a VAR-ruled penalty in the first half.
Referee Muhammad Taqi was called to the pitch-side screen at the 31-minute mark to rule on a possible handball in the box by Hong Kong defender Oliver Gerbig.
After a lengthy check, a penalty was given and duly converted by UAE’s Sultan Adil.
Hong Kong leveled four minutes after the break, with Chan poking the ball into UAE’s net on the far side of the post after escaping the attention of left-back Zayed Sultan, courtesy of Everton Camargo’s right-wing cross.
Hong Kong team’s hope of regaining control of the match lasted for only a few minutes as the UAE regained the lead almost instantly by Zayed Sultan, who slotted into an unguarded net from a rebound after Yapp Hung Fai blocked a UAE shot at close range.
As the clock ticked down Hong Kong pushed for a second equaliser, their chances helped by the addition of 10 minutes' stoppage time.
But after a third VAR check against them, the referee pointed once again to the spot and Yahya Al-Ghassani converted.
Hong Kong’s Michael Udebuluzor sent the ball into the net one last time as the additional 10 minutes near its end, but VAR intervened to deny it, calling for a handball which the ball hardly brushed the striker’s arm.
The game eventually ended with UAE taking the three points.
Speaking to the press after the game, Hong Kong coach Jorn Andersen, unsurprisingly, has issues with the referee.
“I’m very proud of the team, played a great match, played with high energy and high pressing, created a lot of possibilities.
“But very unlucky with referees, two 50-50 decisions and decided against us both times. They would never be penalties in Europe.
“Overall, we know these two first games are very difficult for us, the gap to UAE and Iran is very big for us, but if we play with high energy, pushing the opponent, and attack the opponent, there is always a chance to create a surprise if we are lucky.” Anderson concluded.
Despite the lost, Hong Kong still had its name written into the history books by scoring the 1000th goal in AFC history - having poetically scored the first way back in the inaugural 1956 edition.
