Hong Kong coach Kim Pangon might rue not going more attacking from the start - though to be fair we all expected Qatar to be a lot stronger. Apart from their left back and captain, they hardly looked much better than HK.  

China, who beat the Maldives 3-0 'away' in Shenyang tonight, should fancy their chances when the two play each other in their next match, though it is (actually) away this time, in Doha. 

HK are in the Himalayas next to take on Bhutan, which you'd like to think would be a win, then China come to Hong Kong for what looks like being a must-win for them. 

Remains to be seen if any fans will be allowed in, however ... 

Bah, that's it. Barnstorming finish from the hosts, to cries of "WE ARE HONG KONG", but no more clear chances. Qatar absolutely clinging on at the end, desperate for the final whistle. All Hong Kong in the last 20-25 minutes - except they conceded a killer third in that time

89min GOAL HONG KONG!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blimey, I can't keep up. Another free kick to HK, delivered from near the left hand corner flag. Again HK win the initial header, Bai has a tame shot from the edge of the box, but it trickles to Karikari right in front of goal. He takes a touch, turns, and finishes well, lifting it over the keeper and flailing defenders. What a finish!

86min GOAL HONG KONG!!!!!

Hang about, hang about, did we speak too soon? (Probably not). Hong Kong win a free kick in Qatar's half and play it short to Cheung on the left. His excellent cross is headed down into the turf by Kilama at the back post,  and Bai He is unmarked at the other to head in from a yard out to huge cheers. Pity that wasn't to make it 1-2.

83min GOAL QATAR!

That'll be that then. Another rasper from Abdelkarim, this time with his right foot, and Yapp can only parry out as far as Qatar rightback Mohamed Musa, who has a tap in. 

77min Another good ball from deep nearly sends Annan clean through, but the Qatari keeper is out fast to snuff it out. It's been all Hong Kong the last 10 minutes and a goal now could get Qatar worried.

74min Karikari next away, this time down the right channel, but Abdelkarim puts paid to him with an excellent tackle (despite what the crowd thought). Much better delivery this time sees the Qatar keeper just get something on the ball after coming a long way, but a terrible first touch from Xu Deshuai at the back post prevents Hong Kong from pinging it quickly back across the six yard box

71min Christian Annan nearly gets in from a long ball into the channel, but Qatar's Kasola comes across to sweep up. HK win a corner from the second phase, but again it comes to nowt. Cheung's delivery hasn't been the best. Game a lot more open now as Hong Kong try to steam forward

66min Could be more goals in this now for Qatar you fear. HK did have a free kick near the left corner that could have provided a quick way back into the match, but it came to nothing. Coach Kim Pangon has pushed Annan and Lam up front to support Karikari, which will give Qatar a lot more space. 

Meanwhile a booking for Festus Baise for clattering Qatar forward Asad as he broke. Lengthy treatment to a hearty chorus of 'diu le no moh'.  

62min GOAL QATAR! 

Impressive left-back Abdelkarim comes forward from the halfway line - his initial cross is headed clear, but he picks up the rebound and absolutely leathers it low cross-goal past Yapp and into his left-hand corner. Great strike from the corner of the box, but Hong Kong had two defenders near him who surely could have done more to prevent him getting the shot away. He's been very good.

59min Hong Kong camped in their own half now, only Karikari up front. Al Haydos gets another chance to strike on goal from the 18-yeard line but Huang Yang throws himself in front of it. The resulting corner comes to nothing.

Sub HK - Jaimes McKee replaced by Christian Annan. To be fair, HK have more naturalised players on the pitch than Qatar, though we're certainly paying less

55min Qatar have come close twice already, through captain Al Haydos and left-back Abdelkarim, their two best players. Both saved by Yapp. 

We're underway again, with Chan Siu-ki hooked and Xu Deshuai coming on. Immediately, Qatar captain Al Haydos clatters Cheung Kin-fung, prompting outrage from fans who feel the ref has been a little, er, less than neutral shall we say

HALF-TIME: Hong Kong 0 Qatar 1 

Hong Kong still in this at half-time, down by one to a header from Qatar's France-born midfielder Karim. Qatar have been the better team, but not by a great deal - albeit Hong Kong have hardly created anything. Certainly China looked far more impressive last week. 

I'm sure Hong Kong will look to keep it tight for 15, 20 minutes and try to get McKee or Karikari in with their pace. 

Hong Kong will bitterly argue the free-kick that led to the goal. Yapp penalised for either carrying the ball slightly outside his area while kicking out or taking too many steps, both offences that happen umpteen times a game without being penalised.  

46min holding midfielder Ahmed tries his luck from 40 yards with a decent low effort but it's comfortable for Yapp and that's half-time

42min sub for Hong Kong, Karikari - who I thought unlucky to be dropped replacing Lo Kwan-yee, who looked to be clutching his side. Karikari going up front with Chan Siu-ki moving to right side of the three behind. Should offer more pacy outlet for HK, Chan has been anonymous up front

38min Hong Kong get a free-kick in dangerous territory, but it's completely useless from Cheung, and sets up Qatar for a fast break. Huang Yang takes one for the team - and a yellow - by pulling back his opponent.

Seconds later, Qatar win another corner, and Ali Asadalla Thaimn lashes a left-foot shot just wide as the ball falls to him on the edge of the area

36min Yeesh, another good chance for Qatar, their captain Al Haydos causing trouble on Hong Kong's left. He nearly found striker Muntari with a diknked pass then blasted across the face of Yapp's goal when that attempt was ut out

35min Another opportunity for Qatar from a corner - again stemming from a free-kick that is still being angrily disputed by one fan in particular keen to bring a point to the referee's attention. Left-back Abdelkarim had a bit of time and space at the back post, but dragged his effort wide. HK starting to look a bit shaky now.

Hong Kong then lucky not to concede a penalty after McKee handled in the area - ball to hand, right decision

30min Decent chance for HK's Kilama from a set-piece, Cheung whipping it in from the right-hand side. His header is off target though. 

25min. That's taken the wind out of the sails here a little. Only reason I can think that free-kick was given was that Yapp took too many steps with the ball in his hands, but you basically never see that given unless the keeper ends up at the halfway line. 

Qatar have another free now, about 30 yards out ... and it's wide from captain Hasan Al Haydos

21min GOAL QATAR! 

Free-kick inside the area blocked by the wall, but from the resulting corner, midfielder Karim powers a header in from the penalty spot. Great leap and header to be fair, looping up and then down into the corner low to Yapp's left. Maybe somebody should have been getting something on it, it was from far out and not super powerful, but why the free-kick was given in the first place is another question

20min Couple of top bits of goalkeeping from the hero of Shenzhen, Yapp Hung-fai, first out fast from his line then claiming a dangerous cross in the air. Hold on though, ref's giving a free-kkick inside HK area for some reason here.

15min Wee bit of argy-bargy as Qatar centre back Yasser goes down like a sack of manure after an innocuous-looking challenge from Chan Siu-ki. 'DIU!' is the cry from the home fans. Chan booked though

9min Chance for Hong Kong! Blimey. Didn't see many of those in Shenzhen. Jaimes McKee took the ball from his left back and a couple of passes later - one very hopeful one into the channel by Chan Siu-ki, was in on goal after bad Qatar defending. Denied by a last-ditch tackle. Just before, Yapp Hung-fai had to punch clear a dangerous looking cross from left-back Abdelkarim. Qatar playing 4-3-3 but full-backs bombing forward to make it often 3-4-3

5min Pretty even start so far with no chances. Hong Kong lining up 4-5-1 with Huang Yang in front of the back four. Qatar along their usual lines

China national anthem booed again before other fans try to drown it out with applause pic.twitter.com/kzoijqFYSK

— James Porteous (@JamesPorteous) September 8, 2015

Hmmm ... some fairly loud booing for China's national anthem for 30 seconds before other fans tried to drown it out with applause - could Hong Kong be facing punishment from Fifa for that, having been warned? 

Anyway, the action is about to commence

Just under 10 mins to kick off and the compact ground is red almost over - apart from 30 or so Qatar fans in a corner. 

Meanwhile, group rivals China have kicked off their tricky away trip to, er, China, to play the Maldives, after the home team's pitch was deemed not up to scratch. Maldives more than happy with the arrangement since they will get the gate.

Now for the national anthems ... 

7:30pm - 30 mins to kick off. 

Here are the teams: 

Hong Kong 4-2-3-1 Yapp Hung-fai; Jack Sealy, Festut Baise, Jean Kilama, Cheung Kin-fung; Bai He, Huang Yang; Lo Kwan-yee, Lam Kaw-wai, Jaimes McKee; Chan Siu-ki

Qatar 4-3-3? Claude Amin; Mohamed Musa, Abdelkarim Hassan, Mohammed Kasola, Ahmed Yasser Abdelrahman; Karim Boudiaf, Ahmed Mohamed Elsayed, Boualem Khoukhi; Ali Asadalla Thaimn, Hasan Al Haydos, Mohammed Muntari

Four changes for HK from the team that drew with China. Looks like Chan Siu-ki will be alone up front, Jaimes McKee dropping to the wing in support. Lee Chi-ho is out after suffering severe cramp after the China game and Cheung Kin-fung will replace him at left back. Jean Kilama starts at centre back after an impressive display as an early sub against China. Godfred Karikikari unlucky to drop to the bench after a fine shift against China as Lo Kwan-yee comes in. 

As for Qatar ... er ... we'll get back to you on that one. Probably 4-3-3. Ghanaian import Muntari has been singled out as dangerous up front

Good evening and welcome to Mong Kok Stadium for Hong Kong's latest World Cup qualifier, against Group C favourites Qatar.

But Qatar, their squad reinforced with foreigners happy to take the oil money, have won both their games in the group, including a 15-0 annihilation of Bhutan last week - although they needed a late winner against Maldives.

It's just under an hour to kick off (8pm) and the ground is already near full, with 'The Power of Hong Kong' fans group making themselves heard. Keep refreshing for the latest updates ... team news to come