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GUANGZHOU: Hong Kong and the UAE cruised into the last 16 of the Asian Games football tournament on Thursday, condemning Uzbekistan and Bangladesh to early exits.
Hong Kong saw off Bangladesh 4-1 with Au Yeung Yiu Chung grabbing two goals and Ju Ying Zhi and Chan Man Fai piling on the misery for a hopelessly outclassed Bangladesh.
Mohammed Hoque briefly pulled his side level at 1-1 midway through the first half with his team’s only goal of the tournament, but Bangladesh finished pointless in three matches having conceded 10 goals.
Hong Kong collected seven points from their three matches but finished runners-up to Group E winners UAE on goal difference after the Gulf side saw off Uzbekistan 3-0.
Theyab Al Musabi put the UAE in front after 10 minutes with Ahmed Al Jenaiby adding a brace courtesy of a strike in each half.
Later Thursday, India will face Singapore and defending champions Qatar tackle already qualified Kuwait to decide who takes the second spot from Group D.
Qatar, who drew 0-0 with Singapore in their opener, needed two goals in the last 11 minutes to defeat India 2-1 on Tuesday and now require just a point against their Gulf neighbours to make the last 16.
If they lose, Singapore would still need to beat India by at least three clear goals to reach the knockout stage as an automatic qualifier.
Singapore could qualify as one of four best third-place finishers with a convincing victory.
In Group F, Pakistan and the Maldives would have to score their first goals of the competition to beat Oman and Thailand respectively if they are to progress. – AFP
