HONGKONG'S hopes of breaking Pakistan's domination of the Asian Junior Championships evaporated in Singapore last night when they lost 2-1 to the perennial champions in a hard-fought semi-final.
Pakistan went ahead through Kumail Mahmood, the losing finalist in the individual event earlier in the week, who demolished John Choi Wing-yiu 9-6, 9-0, 9-2 in the clash of the number twos.
But Jackie Lee Chun-kit put Hongkong back in the match by beating Asghar Khan 5-9, 9-3, 9-2, 9-4, proving that his triumph in the individual draw was no flash in the pan.
Lee had earlier this week broken Pakistan's stranglehold in the biennial event when he became the first non-Pakistani champion.
Hongkong's joy, however, was short-lived as Wong Wai-hang never really got into his stride against Akbar Khan, losing 9-6, 9-5, 9-2.
But, coach Allen Ngan Wai-ming was full of praise for his charges.