Hong Kong 2 Qatar 3 - hosts come agonisingly close in thrilling finish but lose World Cup qualifier

Follow @JamesPorteous FULL-TIME: Hong Kong 2 Qatar 3 Click here for match report and reaction Hong Kong almost completed a stunning comeback against Qatar at Mong Kok Stadium, but left themselves just too much to do after falling three goals down with less than 10 minutes remaining of the World Cup qualifier. WATCH: Some fans boo the national anthem as others tell them to shutup (from 1:27) Qatar were 1-0 up at half-time and extended their lead with just over half an hour remaining. Hong Kong, who had started out playing for the draw, had no option but to go more attacking and immediately looked far more dangerous - but conceded a killer third on the break in the 83rd minute. That looked that, but HK fought back through set-piece goals through Bai He and Godfred Karikari to thrill the capacity crowd - but the equaliser was a bridge too far. The China national anthem was booed before kickoff again, for perhaps 30 seconds before being drowned out by applause from fans realising the potential repercussions - HK could face playing games behind closed doors, or be docked points by Fifa. Well, the fans are still singing and drumming here 15 minutes after full time - it was a cracking finish that sent the punters home reasonably happy despite the loss. 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. HT: #HongKong 0:1 #Qatar. Let's say it as neutral as possible: the Qatari must be very pleased with the referee performance so far ;) @QFA — Football in HK (@offsideHK) September 8, 2015 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! Hong Kong 0 Qatar 1 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. Hong Kong are surprisingly top of the group, after home wins against Bhutan and the Maldives and last week's impressive, battling - and let's be fair, tremendously lucky - 0-0 draw in Shenzhen against China. 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. As ever, the subplot ahead of kick-off revolves around the fans for this 6,664 sellout. Will they respect the China national anthem, or again boo it and risk playing future qualifiers - including the rematch against China in November - behind closed doors, or worse? HKFA chairman Brian Leung and chief executive Mark Sutcliffe have pleaded for good behaviour. 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

Hong Kong 2 Qatar 3 - hosts come agonisingly close in thrilling finish but lose World Cup qualifier

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hong Kong lost 3-2 to Qatar at Mong Kok Stadium after almost mounting a stunning comeback from 3-0 down. Catch up with all the action on our live blog

Click here for match report and reaction

Hong Kong lost 3-2 to Qatar at Mong Kok Stadium after almost mounting a stunning comeback from 3-0 down. Catch up with all the action on our live blog