Hong Kong, China will be looking for a breakthrough at an East Asian football tournament when they face the national team on Tuesday.

The SAR have lost all their matches at the EAFF E-1 Championship since it began in 2003.

This year, both the SAR and China lost to hosts South Korea and Japan and will be battling for third place.

The last time the two teams played each other, Hong Kong, China, defeated the national team 2-1 in a closed-door friendly on New Year's Day last year when the sides were preparing for the Asian Cup.

"Of course we want to make history, but anybody who knows me knows that I want to win every single game I play," head coach Ashley Westwood said.

"It makes no difference to me whether it's China, Chinese Taipei, Brazil, France, England, I don't care who we play."

Westwood will be without star left-back Shinichi Chan, who was recalled by his club Shanghai Shenhua.

Meanwhile, centre-back Leon Jones said he's thankful that so many Hong Kong supporters travelled to South Korea for the matches.

He said the SAR team are very proud of "the sea of red" when they see the fans in the stands.

Jones also said playing three matches in eight days was not a problem for him.

"Obviously, most of the players in the squad have been coming back from the off-season, which is different from players from the other sides," he said.

"But I feel my condition's pretty good. Playing in two 90-minute games in such a short space of time is tiring, but it's normal at this level of football."

Kickoff is set for 3pm on Tuesday Hong Kong time, before South Korea face Japan at 6.24pm for the title.

The Japanese only need a draw to win the tournament on goal difference.