Pyongyang: Hong Kong came alive in the second half, beating Chinese Taipei 4-0 in their final Group G qualifying tie at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang on Sunday, to keep within sight of the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship Finals.
Hong Kong desperately needed to win to keep their hopes alive after having drawn their first two matches against DPR Korea and Laos, with both ties ending 1-1.
Chinese Taipei, however, were already out of the running for a place in the Finals going into the match, having lost 3-1 to Laos and 7-1 to DPR Korea.
Hong Kong were clearly the hungrier of the two sides but Chinese Taipei, with nothing to lose, defended resolutely in the first half to frustrate their opponents time and again.
There was, however, only so much Chinese Taipei could do and their resolve was finally broken in the 61st minute when midfielder Tan Chun Lok found a way through for Hong Kong.
Having scored their first, there was to be no stopping Hong Kong as defender Lau Hok Ming scored the second two minutes later.
Chun Lok helped himself to the third Hong Kong goal in the 70th minute before forward Chung Wai Keung wrapped up proceedings in the 77th minute.
The win gave Hong Kong provisional top spot in Group H, ahead of Sunday's later tie between DPR Korea and Laos. Hong Kong have five points, having completed their fixtures, while DPR Korea and Laos are tied on four points.
All the group winners will earn automatic qualification to next year's Finals with the five best second-placed teams also advancing.
Source: the-afc.com