A late goal from Au Yeung Yiu-chung saved Hong Kong as they escaped with a 3-3 draw against the Philippines in the opening match of the Long Teng Cup in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, yesterday.
The midfielder was quickest to the ball to score from close range after his teammate Chan Siu-ki's free kick hit a post. Hong Kong coach Liu Chun-fai was hardly impressed by the performance despite the 86th-minute goal that saved the defending champions from defeat. 'Our defence failed to live up to expectations and repeatedly lost their concentration,' said Liu, the interim coach pending the expected appointment of a foreigner to the post. 'And there was nothing good in our passing, as we lost the ball too easily. We must improve in our two upcoming matches or it will be very difficult to win the title again.'
The second staging of the Cup also includes Macau and the hosts. The Hong Kong team hope to use the tournament to boost their world rankings as they are currently 156th in Fifa's standings, their lowest since 2008. The Philippines are in 166th place, while Taiwan and Macau are 172nd and 191st respectively.
South China winger Lee Wai-lim (pictured) gave Hong Kong a perfect start at the Kaohsiung National Stadium when he scored the first goal in the second minute. Cheng Lai-hin added to the tally in the 22nd minute, but the Filipinos scored twice to level before half-time.
They then went into the lead with Emilio Caligdong scoring his second goal in the 63rd minute, before Au Yeung's late goal saved Hong Kong from embarrassment.
