The Hong Kong mens team took on Oman today (7 May) in the opening match of the Asian Games 2010 Qualifying Round which is being held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 7-16 May, 2010. Arif Ali scored for Hong Kong from a penalty corner conversion in the first half. Oman was a team never to be underestimated the Oman goalkeeper had an outstanding match denying Hong Kong to extend the lead. Both teams finished the match with a point each after Oman equalized with a soft goal.
The last time the two teams met, at the 3rd Mens AHF Cup in Singapore in 2008, Oman had the better of Hong Kong winning 3-2. Four years ago at the 2006 Doha Asian Games Qualifier, also held in Bangladesh, Oman beat Hong Kong by the same score, 3-2.
Hong Kong however gained sweet revenge at the main Doha Games blanking Oman 4-0.
Seven teams are vying for 6 places for the Guangzhou Asian Games to be held in November 2010. The seven are Bangladesh (ranked 7th in Asia), Singapore (8th), Sri Lanka (9th), Oman (10th), Hong Kong (11th), Chinese Taipei (12th) and Thailand (13th). The current top 6 in Asia automatically qualified for Guangzhou are Korea, India, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia and China.
The tournament match schedule is attached.
