Hong Kong came back from two goals down to earn a pulsating 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan to keep their hopes alive in an Asian Cup group F qualifier in Tashkent last night.

Trailing 2-0 at the break, Kenny Lai Sun-cheung's men pulled level thanks to a brace of goals by Sham Kwok-keung as the SAR - hit by the controversial withdrawals of Shanghai Shenhua's Ng Wai-chiu and South China's Man Pei-tak last week - fought back to earn a precious point.

The result meant Uzbekistan and Hong Kong are level on four points after three games - five points behind group leaders Qatar, who thrashed Bangladesh 4-1.