Hong Kong were just one step away from clinching the SAR's first medal of the games last night - on the eve of the opening ceremony.
The women's table tennis team prepared to face Singapore last night knowing that victory in the quarter-final match would assure them of at least a bronze medal.
The SAR side managed to reach the quarter-finals despite losing 3-0 to China in their final group B match at Al-Arabi Sports Club.
South Korea, North Korea and Singapore topped the other three groups and SAR women's coach Li Huifen felt lucky to draw probably the weakest of the group winners.
'The draw is favourable in that we have avoided the mainlanders in the quarter-finals. They are certainly the number one team of the tournament and it will be hard for anyone to beat them,' said Li.
'This draw gives us an opportunity to take revenge on the Singaporeans who blew us out [3-1] at the same stage four years ago. Obviously they are one of the best teams in the world or they would not have reached this stage. All their three players are from China with number one singles Li Jia Wei always a threat to any player.'
Singapore's Li needed to take two points against Thailand in the final group match to secure a place in the quarter-finals after teammate Sun Bei Bei lost in the opening match.
