Hong Kong, China on Thursday played out a 1-1 draw with Cambodia at Hong Kong Stadium in an international friendly, in a match widely seen as a warm-up ahead of a blockbuster Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore next Tuesday.

The SAR, who went with 41-year-old Wang Zhenpeng in goal to replace injured captain Edmond Yapp, dominated the initial stages of the match, pinning Cambodia in their own half for long stretches of play.

Wong Wai opened the scoring in the 31st minute for the home team by driving the ball low into the right hand side of the goal.

But Cambodia quickly responded through Krya Saret, who's header drew the visitors level two minutes later.

Hong Kong missed a golden chance to pull ahead in the dying minutes of the contest when defender Vaz Nunez's strike hit the post.

The result comes days before the SAR face Singapore in a critical Asian Cup qualifying showdown at Kai Tak Stadium.

Hong Kong and Singapore each have eight points and a goal difference of plus two in Group C.

Victory on Tuesday at Kai Tak Stadium will send the SAR directly to 2027 AFC Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia, while defeat will all but end their hopes of qualifying.

A draw, meanwhile, means both teams will have to wait until next March – when the SAR face India away and Singapore face Bangladesh at home to determine who wins the group.

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) had announced on Wednesday that SAR footballers will share HK$1 million in prize money if they defeat Singapore.