The Hong Kong men's football team's historic run at the Hangzhou Asian Games ended with a 4-0 defeat to Uzbekistan, as they missed out on a bronze medal on Saturday.

Alisher Odilov opened the scoring in the first half with a screamer on the 43rd minute, as goalkeeper Tse Ka-wing could only watch the ball finding the net.

In the second half, Khusain Norchaev bagged a brace in less than ten minutes, before Alibek Davronov flicked the ball in on the 75th minute for the final score.

Uzbekistan were the more threatening side throughout the game as they showed they had the edge in pace, technique as well as stamina.

Despite the loss, it was the first time ever that Hong Kong footballers had reached the Asian Games final four.

A crying Tse apologised to fans after the game for not being able to win bronze, but he told HOY TV that his teammates and himself had given all they had.

"We were one step away from the medal. I don't want to talk about moral victories because I don't like them. So, sorry. We were one step away, but we weren't able to get it in the end. I want to apologise but we gave it our all in these six games," the goalkeeper said.

"Maybe this time we were a bit lucky and it took some outstanding performances, some miracles for us to enter the semis. But I hope one day Team Hong Kong will be like the Uzbeks, the Japanese and the South Koreans that always make the semis."

Scores of fans watched the game across Hong Kong, with many watching a giant screen at the Happy Valley racecourse.

Some of them told RTHK that they were proud of the SAR's performance, as the players had battled hard until the end despite the deficit.