Hong Kong and China to square off in World Cup qualifier … that sparked Beijing riot 30 years ago
Dramatic draw for Asian campaign sees city placed in group C with China, Qatar, Bhutan and Maldives
History often repeats itself in football, and Hong Kong will be hoping they can replicate the Asian World Cup qualifying campaign of 30 years ago - when they stunned China - after the rivalry was renewed at Tuesday's 2018 World Cup Asian zone second round qualification draw in Kuala Lumpur.
The two teams will once again meet - drawn together in group C, a pool which also features World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar and two regional minnows, Bhutan and Maldives.
In 1985, Hong Kong upset China 2-1 at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing, a result that ended their northern neighbour's hopes of reaching the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and lead to rioting on the streets of the capital.
Thirty years on, the rematch will be on September 3 in a stadium to be confirmed, while China will come to Hong Kong on November 17.
If we can get a good result against China - because we know them well - we may be able to challenge for second place in the group
Since then, the atmosphere surrounding the fixture has been ramped-up whenever the two meet, with China desperate to avoid losing to tiny Hong Kong, now a special administrative region under Chinese sovereignty, but an independent sporting entity.