Entering this competition as the lowest-ranked Asian side at 150th according to FIFA, Hong Kong found themselves on equal footing with the UAE early in the second half before a momentary lapse in concentration cost them dearly.
Sunday marked the return of Hong Kong to the Asian Cup, the first time since 1968, yet the team remains winless in their 11 matches played in this prestigious tournament. Despite their underdog status, Jorn Andersen's men have displayed resilience in recent games. They notably came back from one-goal deficits to secure a draw against Turkmenistan in the 2026 World Cup qualifying last year. Additionally, they achieved a historic 2-1 victory over China earlier this month, marking their first win against their formidable opponent in 39 years.
While their offensive performance has been noteworthy, with only one scoreless outing in their last five matches (a 2-0 defeat against Saudi Arabia), Hong Kong has struggled defensively, conceding in each of their last seven encounters.
It's worth noting that Hong Kong has maintained an impressive record for over a decade when drawing first blood. The last time they suffered a defeat after scoring first was in a friendly against Vietnam, losing 2-1 in June 2012. As they navigate the challenges of the Asian Cup, Hong Kong aims to build on their recent successes and showcase their fighting spirit on the continental stage.