Hong Kong Football Team entered the final round of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 1968.
In the afternoon, HK Football team received good news today (June 14) when Palestine beat the Philippines by four goals in Group B, leaving the latter unable to overtake HK in the final round of the AFC Asian Cup. HK were thus assured of at least a second place finish, the first time since 1968, in the final week of the Asian Cup.
Prior to this round of matches, the team topped Group D with six points and a better goal difference than India. A draw or a win tonight would put them in first place, and even if they lose, they still have a chance to qualify as one of the five best second-placed teams.
However, if the Philippines fail to win their Group B match against Palestine at noon, they will definitely score less than HK, and HK Football Team will then be assured of at least the best second place finish.
The match that will decide whether HK will be "guaranteed" a place in the final week was played in Mongolia. Palestine, ranked 33 places higher than their opponents in the world rankings, had the clear advantage, with the result of 2-0.
In the first Asian Cup in 1956, HK was one of the four participating countries or regions, and finished in the best ever third place. The team went on to finish in the fourth place in 1964 and fifth place in 1968, but have not reached the final round since then.
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