Hong Kong's rocket man brought crashing back to earth by Japan, but boosted by late goal
Advertisement
Chan, who was born in Japan but has grown into Hong Kong's most accomplished player at the age of 22, was as culpable as any of his teammates in going 5-0 behind after 26 minutes.
The left-back, however, said a more competitive second-half display had laid the platform for another formidable test on Friday, against East Asian Football Championship hosts South Korea.
Matt Orr netted a consolation before Japan completed the 6-1 rout deep into stoppage time.
'It takes some courage to come out and fight knowing the game has gone,' Chan said. 'At half-time, we set some small targets: to score against a better side and to not concede again.
Advertisement
'We almost achieved both objectives. It's a good match for us to know where we need to improve and how to prepare for these games in future. The result was disappointing, but it reflected the difference between us and the top Asian teams.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
East Asian Football Championship: Hong Kong out to ‘impose ourselves on China'
Ashley Westwood has urged Hong Kong to go for the jugular against China when the teams renew their rivalry in Seoul on Tuesday. Advertisement Stung by a 6-1 thumping from Japan on Tuesday, head coach Westwood unfurled a more watchful strategy for his side's 2-0 defeat by South Korea in their second East Asian Football Championship fixture on Friday. The handbrake is set to come off against the Chinese, who are flattered by a world No 94 ranking on the evidence of their limp display in losing 3-0 to South Korea last week. 'Playing China, who are 94th in the world, is different from playing Korea,' Westwood said. 'We want to attack and score, we don't go many games without scoring. 'We have a good, highly qualified coaching staff, we know what we're doing, and we'll come up with something to impose ourselves on China. Advertisement 'We won't be looking to defend, defend. Part of football is coming up with a plan. Hopefully, the one for China works. If it doesn't, we'll learn another lesson.'
RTHK
13 hours ago
- RTHK
Hong Kong, China keep it close in 2-0 loss to S Korea
Hong Kong, China keep it close in 2-0 loss to S Korea The South Koreans dominated possession, shots on target and passing in the game played in the city of Yongin. Photo courtesy of HKFA Hong Kong, China fell 2-0 to South Korea on Friday in the second game of the East Asian Football Championship played at the Yongin Mireu Stadium. The SAR squad was trying to bounce back from their defeat to Japan in their opening match, and their resilience showed as they faced the home team. Hong Kong, China was solid for most of the first half, but the hosts eventually broke through their defence in the 27th minute, when forward Kang Sang-yoon spun around with a shot with his right foot to give the South Koreans the lead. Lee Ho-jae's bullet header made the score 2-0 in the 67th minute and the game was all but over. The Koreans dominated possession, shots on target and passing, but Hong Kong goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai heroically kept the scoreline respectable. Hong Kong, China now face the national team on July 15.
South China Morning Post
15 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
East Asian Football Championship: Hong Kong improve but lose to South Korea
Hong Kong remained without a point and rooted to the bottom of the East Asian Championship after they lost 2-0 to South Korea in Seoul on Friday night. In a much more compact, disciplined and pragmatic display than they served up in losing 6-1 to Japan three days earlier, however, the city team gave their passionate travelling supporters reason to believe for next Tuesday's winnable clash with China. For the hosts, this was a second successive competition victory, and 16th unbeaten match in a row, after they swatted aside the Chinese 3-0 on Monday. Like Japan, the Koreans used their meeting with underdogs Hong Kong to introduce new blood. Hong Myung-bo, the head coach, changed his entire starting 11, handing debuts to five players, and first starts to another four, who were all making only their second appearances after coming off the bench against China. Unlike Japan, however, South Korea ran into a Hong Kong team in obdurate mood. Out of possession, the visitors strung six players across the back, while the advanced four created a bottleneck in the middle.
