2018 Asian Games: Hong Kong’s men’s football team beat Laos 3-1

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Hong Kong's men's football team got off to a winning start at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta by defeating Laos 3-1. The victory means the South China side top group A as the event's first competition gets into full swing ahead of the opening ceremony on August 18.

Hong Kong took the lead in the 20th minute. Laos failed to clear their lines and Cheng Chin-lung finished from close range to get the first goal of the tournament.

Orr Matthew Elliot Wing Kai (R) of Hong Kong tussles for the ball with Lao goalkeeper Paseuth Saymanolynh during the first match of the 18th Asian Games football competition at Patriot Stadium in Bekasi, Indonesia, August 10, 2018. /VCG Photo

Five minutes before the break, Hong Kong scored its second goal, with Tan Chun-lok rifling home from inside the area.

The Laotians pulled one back in the 62nd minute through Phit-hack Kong-math-ilath's left tap in.

But four minutes from stoppage time, their hopes of a comeback were dashed when Lathasay Lounlasyn's own goal made it 3-1. And that is how it stayed.

The rest of the group features China's Taiwan and Palestine who will play on Saturday.