In the final match of Group C action at the Asian Cup, Hong Kong will battle Palestine on Tuesday at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.

The Dragons remained at the bottom of that group after a narrow 1-0 defeat versus Iran on Friday, with the Palestinians moving a point above them thanks to a 1-1 draw with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Match preview

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For a second successive encounter, Hong Kong put forth a spirited effort versus the Iranians but could not finish their chances.

That has been the story of their Asian Cup campaign so far, with the lowest-seeded side still seeking their first point of the competition this year.

Since claiming a stunning 2-1 triumph in a friendly over China on New Year's Day, Hong Kong have suffered four successive defeats in all competitions, scoring a goal or fewer each time.

While they have made life difficult for their opponents, Jorn Andersen's men have also made things hard on themselves, conceding the opening goal in eight successive matches in all competitions.

Despite losing their first two fixtures, there is still a chance for Hong Kong to advance into the knockout stage for the first time, but they will need to walk away with three points on matchday three to have any hope of moving forward.

A victory on Tuesday would be historic for this team, who have never triumphed in 12 previous encounters at the Asian Cup finals, while it would also set a national team record for the most points claimed at this stage of the tournament.

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For a good portion of their matchday two encounter with the UAE, Palestine seemed to control the game but, in the end, could not find that decisive breakthrough.

Having a man advantage since the 37th minute of that match seemed to help as Makram Daboub's men registered seven efforts on target while conceding only two, though one went in.

As a result, they are still without a victory in the finals of this tournament, though with a mere two goals in two group fixtures, they have already netted more times than they had in their previous two group stage appearances (one).

Palestine have yet to make it beyond the group stage of any tournament since capturing the 2020 Bangabandhu Cup thanks to a victory over Burundi (3-1).

The Lions of Canaan are winless in 10 successive matches in all competitions and will need to end that streak on Tuesday, while also likely needing to win by multiple goals, as they currently have a goal differential of -3.

Palestine have never lost in two previous meetings versus Hong Kong, winning the last encounter, 1-0, in a March 2001 World Cup qualifier.

Team News

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From matchday one to two of the Asian Cup, Andersen made two changes to the Hong Kong starting 11 with Vas Nunez and Sun Ming Him coming in for Li Ngai Hoi and Poon Pui Hin.

Goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai, the most-capped player in the history of the national team, is 10 appearances away from 100, while Ju Yingzhi and Tan Chun Lok will need six more caps to reach the half-century mark.

Chan Siu Kwan, who has their only goal in the tournament so far, is tied with Wong Wai for the most goals among those on this Asian Cup squad with four, two more than striker Michael Udebuluzor, who has their only two goals to date in 2026 World Cup qualifying.

Palestine have been without striker Mahmoud Wadi for both matches at this tournament after the 29-year-old learned just days before their opening game that his cousin had been killed in Gaza.

Daboub inserted two newcomers into the lineup on matchday two, with Mohammed Saleh and Oday Dabbagh replacing Yaser Hamed and Shehab Qunbar.

Tamer Seyam, the leading goalscorer on this Asian Cup squad, was denied his 13th goal for the national team as his 39th-minute penalty was saved by UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa, though an own-goal by Bader Abaelaziz enabled them to claim a single point from that encounter.

Hong Kong possible starting lineup:
Fai; Nam, Gerbig, Nunez, Chan; Ming, Wai, Kwan; Camargo, Orr, Udebuluzor

Palestine possible starting lineup:
Hamadeh; Al-Battat, Termanini, Saleh, Saldana; Seyam, Batran, Rashid, Warda; S. Qunbar, Z. Qunbar

We say: Hong Kong 1-2 Palestine

Even a victory may not be enough to send the Palestinians through, but they look much more convincing going forward than their Tuesday opponents.

Hong Kong have shown they can compete, but their opening two games suggest that they will have little possession in this match and having to defend for long stretches could come with a lot of fatigue.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Joel Lefevre

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