Hong Kong's football team are off to a rough start at the East Asian Cup.

The SAR men's squad faced the hosts Japan in the opening match and were thrashed 6-0.

The visitors conceded inside two minutes at Kashima Stadium as Yuki Soma, Shuto Machino, and Takuma Nishimura each scored twice.

Japan enjoyed 77 percent of ball possession, while Hong Kong failed to record a shot on target.

It won't get any easier for the SAR. Their next match is against South Korea on Sunday.

South Korea, five-time champions of this competition, will open against China on Wednesday.