Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bangkok: Two-time winners China recorded their first victory at the AFC U-16 Championship and condemned tournament debutants Hong Kong to a third consecutive defeat after a penalty from He Xin and a Duan Liuyu strike secured a comfortable 2-0 win on Wednesday.
With both teams already eliminated after suffering consecutive defeats to Japan and Australia in Group B, there was only pride left to play for at Rajamangala Stadium.
And China started well and went in front after 25 minutes through a penalty from midfielder He, and after Hong Kong improved after half-time, captain Duan netted midway through the second half to seal the win.
"There was less pressure on the players and we played much better today," said China coach Zhang Haitao.
"The tournament has been a good experience for us as we have played a competition at the highest level.
"We saw the difference between the quality of our players and the players from Japan and Australia. Now we can use this experience to help us improve."
China had the better of the opening stages and registered their first shot in the 11th minute as Duan's effort drifted harmlessly wide of Tse Ka-wing's left post.
But China did take the lead in the 25th minute after Hong Kong defender Ng Yui-kan upended midfielder Qian Yumiao as he cut into the area from the right and He coolly converted from the spot to register his team's first goal of the tournament.
And it was not until the 34th minute that Hong Kong recorded their first effort on goal as Ho Chik-hin's header from a corner flew over the crossbar.
China, though, continued to dominate possession although they struggled to create any further goalscoring opportunities.
And Hong Kong almost snatched an equaliser on the stroke of half-time only for China goalkeeper Li Guanxi to rush off his line and thwart Hong Kong striker Harima Hirokane as he raced through on goal.
Xavi Bravo's Hong Kong kept the ball well in the early stages of the second half but had to wait until the hour mark for their first chance of note when China custodian Li got down well to his right to stop a goalbound effort from substitute Lam Lok-kan.
But China then doubled their lead in the 66th when Duan's scuffed shot from 14 yards crept under Tse's body.
And China should have wrapped the game up 12 minutes from time but He shot over from four yards after Tse could only parry Duan's low cross.
Two minutes later, Duan then broke into the Honk Kong area with ease but Tse got the better of the one-on-one dual.
"Today was our best match and it was only two mistakes that cost us," said Hong Kong coach Bravo.
"We need to improve and not concede easy goals, but the tournament has been a good chance for us to compete at a high level.
"I think we felt a lot of pressure at the beginning, but we will be better prepared for the next competition."