Hong Kong's goalkeeping coach Fan Chun-yip on Wednesday said the men's football team are aiming for a medal at the Asian Games after their remarkable performance so far in Hangzhou.

The SAR are set to play Japan in their first ever Asian Games semi-final at 6pm.

Fan told a Commercial Radio programme that the team had originally planned only to take things step by step.

"Before some teams withdrew, we had hoped to advance from the group stages, and play it by ear depending on who we were up against. But at this stage, we are getting a bit greedy and hoping to at least secure a medal," he said.

Fan said Japan are strong in their attacks but have shortcomings in their defence, so it's a toss-up who will win.