Hong Kong need a miracle to reach the 2011 Asian Cup finals after a 6-0 hammering against Japan at Out-Sourcing Stadium in Shizuoka.
The home team, strengthened by the call-up of their European-based talents, showed no mercy in a menacing ninety minutes last night.
J.League striker Shinji Okazaki grabbed a hat-trick as Hong Kong coach Kim Pan-Gon admitted his side were outclassed.
He said: 'Japan played high-quality football. We have deeply realised we need to improve.
'We want to spend sufficient time in preparing' for the home game against Japan on November 18, said the Korean, who has been in charge of the team for four months.
Okazaki hit an early opener before FC Tokyo defender Yuto Nagatomo made it 2-0 on 29 minutes.
In the 34th minute, Espanyol midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura's left-foot free kick hit the bar but the Blue Samurai completed the rout with Yuji Nakazawa and Marcus Tulio Tanaka on target before Okazaki hit two goals in two minutes.
