Hong Kong, China got off to a rough start at the East Asian Football Federation E-1 Football Championship, falling 6-1 to defending champions Japan.

Japan were in complete control of the match in Yongin, South Korea, tallying five times against the SAR in less than half an hour.

Ryo Germain was the star for his country, scoring four of those goals.

The 30-year-old Sanfrecce Hiroshima forward broke the deadlock just three minutes in with a spectacular left-footed volley.

He completed his hat-trick at the 22nd minute from a beautiful team play that came with a sequence of one-touch passes, before scoring his fourth four minutes later to make it 5-0.

Sho Inagaki was the other goal-scorer for Japan.

Hong Kong, China scored a consolation after the break thanks to Matt Orr.

Japan completed the scoring in stoppage time with a goal by Sota Nakamura.

Japan and South Korea each had a win after the opening round of matches, ahead of China and the SAR.

Hong Kong, China next face hosts South Korea on Friday.