Hong Kong on Wednesday suffered a 1-0 defeat against the national team at the East Asian Football Championship finals in Japan.

The SAR were enjoying more possession in the middle of the second half, when they conceded the goal against the run of play.

Having twice blocked clearances from the Hong Kong team, China won the ball in the box, and striker Tan Long's powerful shot in the 67th minute was too strong for goalkeeper Chan Ka-ho.

Striker Matthew Orr almost equalised in the 91st minute, but his close range effort was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper Han Jiaqi.

China had dominated possession in the first half, when midfielder Tsun Dai – who represented Hong Kong at youth level – made a number of key passes that led to chances.

Early in the game, China's midfielder Jiang Shenglong was left unmarked off a corner, but his header was cleared off the line by left-back Leung Kwun-chung.

Hong Kong's Orr forced a finger-tip save from Han moments before halftime with an effort from inside the box.

Hong Kong head coach Jorn Andersen said he was satisfied with his players' performance, saying they had a good game and were unlucky not to score.

"Tactically, we had defending, we had pressure, we won the ball many times high up in the field, created lots of chances," he said.

"We got a goal against like that, unlucky, but I'm very satisfied with the game."

China manager Aleksandar Jankovic said he felt his team didn't perform well and had trouble keeping their energy levels up late on.

But he said that was understandable because the players were tired after playing three games in eight days.

Team Hong Kong conceded a total of 10 goals in their three games of the tournament, and were unable to find the net themselves.

China will most likely finish third behind South Korea and Japan, who will play for the championship on Wednesday evening.