Goalkeeper Chan Ka Ho (top) of China's Hong Kong makes a save during a match between China and China's Hong Kong at the 2022 East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship in Toyota City of Aichi prefecture, Japan, on July 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
TOKYO, July 27 (Xinhua) -- China concluded the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship men's tournament with a 1-0 win over Hong Kong, China on Wednesday.
Both sides failed to pick up a victory from the previous two rounds, as China collected one point while Hong Kong, China suffered back-to-back fiascos against Japan and South Korea.
China had a progressive start as it almost broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, but Jiang Shenglong's header was cleared off the line.
Hong Kong, China managed to weather that early siege and once the tempo and intensity of China's press dropped, the game was transformed as Wong Wai of Hong Kong, China blasted it over the bar while Matthew Orr forced a great save out of China's goalkeeper Han Jiaqi.
The goal came in the 67th minute when Tan Long hit in a first-time strike from a goalmouth melee after the Hong Kong players failed to make their clearance.
In a desperate bid to avoid another defeat, Hong Kong, China pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing minutes but failed to beat Han who had a great performance to keep the scoreline down.
China finished the tournament with four points, while Hong Kong, China suffered three consecutive defeats. ■
Tan Long of China reacts during a match between China and China's Hong Kong at the 2022 East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship in Toyota City of Aichi prefecture, Japan, on July 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
He Yupeng (L) of China vies with Sun Ming Him of China's Hong Kong during a match between China and China's Hong Kong at the 2022 East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship in Toyota City of Aichi prefecture, Japan, on July 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Fang Hao (R) of China competes during a match between China and China's Hong Kong at the 2022 East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship in Toyota City of Aichi prefecture, Japan, on July 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Zhu Chenjie (top) of China vies with Matthew Elliot Orr Wing Kai of China's Hong Kong a match between China and China's Hong Kong at the 2022 East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship in Toyota City of Aichi prefecture, Japan, on July 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Tan Long of China reacts during a match between China and China's Hong Kong at the 2022 East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship in Toyota City of Aichi prefecture, Japan, on July 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Tan Long (1st L) of China shoots during a match between China and China's Hong Kong at the 2022 East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship in Toyota City of Aichi prefecture, Japan, on July 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Sun Ming Him (3rd L) of China's Hong Kong vies with Zhu Chenjie (1st R) of China during a match between China and China's Hong Kong at the 2022 East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship in Toyota City of Aichi prefecture, Japan, on July 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
