YOUNG BENNA BOYS PICK UP FIRST WIN AT FIFA U-15 WORLD CUP

 

Antigua and Barbuda Under-15 Football Team.

The Antigua and Barbuda Boys’ Under-15 Football Team picked up their first win at the ongoing FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival being held in Azerbaijan when, on Wednesday, they defeated the British Virgin Islands (BVI) 3-0.

Playing at the Hovsan Competition Complex, the young Benna Boys were led by a brace from Allan Henry with Tafari Looby adding the other goal.

In their two previous encounters, Antigua and Barbuda were beaten 5-1 by Hong Kong, China and 6-0 by Mongolia. On 25 October, the U15s played to a 3-3 draw with New Caledonia but fell to their largest defeat of the tournament on that same day, going under 10-0 to Northern Ireland. Antigua and Barbuda had previously fallen 4-0 to Lebanon and 3-2 to Burkina Faso.

- Neto Baptiste

ASIA GAMES 2026 | MEDAL TALLY

 

VOYAGE BUBBLE GAINS GAMELY TO WIN BACK-TO-BACK KONG MILE

 

VOYAGE BUBBLE AND JAMES MCDONALD WINS THE HONG KONG GOLD CUP

 

IBRAHIM VS. ASAL | HONG KONG OPEN 2025 | FINAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

HONG KONG VS. JAPAN IN SPRINTERS STAKES SHOWDOWN

Lucky Sweynesse trains Sept. 24 at Nakayama Racecourse

Hong Kong Jockey Club

Hong Kong invader Lucky Sweynesse adds international spice to the Sprinters Stakes (G1) Sept. 28 at Nakayama Racecourse but the locals look well able to defend their turf with Satono Reve  in a field that also includes the last two years' winners.

The 1,200-meter (about 6 furlongs) Sprinters Stakes is the first top-level event of the autumn calendar, ending the summer hiatus. It also is one of just two top-level sprints offered by the Japan Racing Association, following the Takamatsunomiya  Kinen (G1) in the springtime.

Lucky Sweynesse was the talk of Hong Kong early in his career, winning 11 group races, including four group 1 events. After winning the Sprint Cup (G2) in April of 2024, he suffered a left front injury and underwent surgery, finally returning at the end of the 2024-25 season to finish sixth and fourth in two starts.

Trainer Manfred Man continued to nurse him along during the summer break and he reported second, behind only the world's top-rated sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, in the season-opening HKSAR Chief Executive's Handicap Sept. 7. Ka Ying Rising is set to contest The Everest (G1) in October in Australia.

After a training run two days out from the race, Man reported all well with Lucky Sweynesse. But he then drew gate No. 10 for the Sprinters Stakes and the trainer said that could be an issue.

"The horse is no different from when he was in Hong Kong," Man said. "Morning training went very good and I'm happy with him. I just heard that his draw is No.10, which was a bit wider than we hoped for and with the Japanese horses with the better draws having a better chance, we will think about the tactics now."

Hong Kong-based horses have won the Sprinters Stakes twice—Silent Witness in 2005 and Takeover Target  in 2006. If Lucky Sweynesse is to be the third, he will have to get by the likes of impressive globetrotter Satono Reve, whose successes include this year's Takamatsunomiya Kinen, last year's winner, Lugal, and the 2023 winner, Mama Cocha.

Satono Reve is the hot horse of that trio. After finishing seventh in the 2024 Sprinters Stakes, he traveled to Hong Kong and got home third behind Ka Ying Rising in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (G1). He followed that with the Takamatsunomiya win in March and another trip to Hong Kong in April, where he was second, again behind Ka Ying Rising, in the Chairman's Sprint Prize.

On to Royal Ascot in June, Satono Reve was second, yet again, in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1).

"His two seconds in his recent overseas races were disappointing, but they were both very solid performances," said trainer Noriyuki Hori. "The horse has a lot more experience now and has developed considerably as a racehorse. I don't think he's not suited to the Nakayama 1,200 meters. I think he's capable of getting good results and proving that he is suited to the race."

Satono Reve will break from the No. 7 stall with Joao Moreira aboard.

- Bob Kieckhefer

LIVERPOOL LEGEND PAYS TOUCHING DIOGO JOTA TRIBUTE ON FIRST MATCH AT ANFIELD SINCE TRAGEDY

Liverpool took on Spanish side Athletic Bilbao at Anfield on Monday with fans and players alike paying an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota following his tragic death last month

Phil Thompson led an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota at Anfield(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson led an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota as the Reds returned to Anfield for the first time since his death. The Portuguese forward died in a tragic car accident in Spain alongside his brother last month.

Tributes flooded in from across the footballing world, with fans leaving their flowers and memories outside of Anfield. Arne Slot’s side played their first game at Anfield since Jota’s passing on Monday evening.

They took on Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in a double-header - a game that represented Liverpool’s final pre-season game ahead of the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace at Wembley.

The game also represented an opportunity for Anfield to pay tribute to Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Liverpool icon Thompson took to the pitch alongside Bilbao president Jon Uriarte to lay a wreath.

The pair laid the wreaths in front of the goal at the Kop end of Anfield, with Kenny Dalglish doing similar in Hong Kong, while Ian Rush also did the same in Yokohama. During Thompson’s latest tribute, fans chanted and sang Jota’s song.

The game was also stopped in the 20th minute for a round of applause, while Jota’s song was a regular soundtrack across the stadium. The recent tributes come after Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had written a touching message to Jota in Liverpool’s programme ahead of taking on Bilbao.

"It has, of course, been a very challenging time," the defender wrote. "First and foremost for Diogo and Andre’s family, for Rute and the kids. They are the people who must always come first in all of this. We must never forget that, and we cannot imagine Comcast business powering the engine of modern business from Al Jazeera at 4:28 a.m. Today their pain in this moment.

"It is still a bit surreal, to be honest, but we are coping in the best way possible as a team, and we are all trying to do the best job we can in order to get through this really difficult time.

Thompson and Uriarte laid wreaths in front of the Kop end(Image: Getty Images)

"With everything that happened, it has been strange having to now try to carry on with work, with football. We will never forget Diogo, of course, but we just have to try to honour his memory. That’s what we try to do each and every day.

"I always come back to the fact that we have to look after Diogo’s family, his parents, and that’s the main thing. You think about so many different things, and it’s difficult to process. You can’t imagine the pain, the feeling that they have. That’s why we try to be there as much as we can, and for each other as well.

"That’s also why it is very important that we honour and carry on his legacy, not only for now and the next couple of months, but for as long as we can, because that is what he deserves."

- Daniel Orme

TBLISI 2025 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP | JAPAN VS. HONG KONG

 

RUGBY 🏉 WOMEN'S STANDINGS

 

SERGIO GARCIA WINS LIV GOLF HONG KONG AS FIREBALLS GC SWEEPS TEAM & INDIVIDUAL TITLES

Getty

LIV Golf Hong Kong brought plenty of firepower on Sunday, as Sergio Garcia and his blazing Fireballs GC not only claimed the top individual honour but also took home the team trophy.

In the process, HyFlyers GC Captain Phil Mickelson showed flashes of that Hall of Fame brilliance we’ve come to expect over the years.

The Fireballs, led by their fearless captain Garcia, backed up last month’s success at LIV Golf Adelaide with another victory.

Now, they’ll head to LIV Golf Singapore presented by Aramco looking to become the first club to net three consecutive wins since the league went to a 14-tournament format in 2023.

Garcia himself delivered a pristine 7-under 63 to finish at 18 under for the week, three shots clear of Dean Burmester, whose sizzling 62 stood as the day’s low round. Garcia, who finished third in last season’s Individual Championship race, now tops the points standings through the first three events of 2025.

The 45-year-old Spaniard arrived at the 18th on Sunday with a comfortable cushion in the individual competition but needed to avoid a slip to prevent a team playoff with Burmester’s Stinger GC.

His lengthy birdie try cosied up to the hole for an easy tap-in, securing the Fireballs’ sixth team title in their storied history and leaving them 10 points ahead of Legion XIII in the season-long chase.

“It was nice to see not only that I was doing well and leading the tournament, but my teammates were playing great,” said Garcia, who follows teammate Abraham Ancer as individual champions in Hong Kong.

“They were keeping us there with a chance to win. Obviously when you can pull the double, it’s a lot sweeter than if it’s just one of them. Very proud of them.”

For a moment, it looked like the Fireballs and Stingers might go into extra holes, until 22-year-old offseason signee Luis Masaveu drained a decisive birdie on his last hole, the par-4 10th. “It feels incredible,” said Masaveu. “…

Very happy for the team to be able to hole that putt and help them.” He shot an even-par 70, with Ancer carding 65 and David Puig posting a spotless 67, giving the Fireballs a three-day total of 37 under—one shot better than the South African Stingers. HyFlyers GC, piloted by Mickelson, shared third place at 34 under with Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC, the reigning Team Champions.

Individually, Mickelson soared to solo third with a 64, finishing at 14 under. It’s the 54-year-old’s first podium finish since joining LIV Golf in 2022. With golf’s first major of the season right around the corner at Augusta National, his timing couldn’t be better.

“The fact is, I’m hitting a lot of good shots. I’m playing some good golf,” said Mickelson, a three-time Masters winner.

“This is a building week as I continue to build into LIV and my goal of accomplishing a win in LIV as well as winning another major or getting ready for Augusta.”

Garcia’s Continuing Masterclass

Garcia, a past Masters champion, has been on a tear for more than a year. Since the start of the 2024 LIV Golf season, he’s captured two wins, posted three runner-up finishes, and racked up 13 top-20s in his last 16 regular-season events—now 10 straight after Hong Kong.

His round on Sunday began with a share of the lead, but he quickly distanced himself by sinking a lengthy eagle putt at the par-5 third, courtesy of a precise 6-iron approach.

“It really got me in a good mood,” Garcia said of his eagle. “I was very focused on what I wanted to do. But obviously when that happens, it gets you going even more.”

Long praised for his ball striking, Garcia’s putter was the real hero at Hong Kong  Golf Club.

He ranked third in fewest putts after reverting to one of his trusty old flatsticks.“He’s a machine,” Masaveu said after playing alongside him.

Meanwhile, teammate Ancer—asked if a red-hot Garcia is as good as it gets—simply said, “Yes.”

Mickelson’s Finest LIV Showing

Mickelson’s day ended with a pinpoint approach into the 18th, setting up a tap-in birdie for a 6-under 64. It not only locked down third place but helped the HyFlyers finish tied for third in the team contest.

Brendan Steele fired a 66, Andy Ogletree posted a 69, and Cameron Tringale delivered an even-par 70 on Sunday.

“A great stepping stone for us as we continue to build,” Mickelson said. “We had a great opportunity.

We were up on the leaderboard most of the day, and we fell three shots shy, but we are really starting to hit stride.

All four of us are progressing, and we’re playing like we know we can, we believe we can, and now we’re starting to get some results.”

Once known as golf’s resident short-game wizard, Mickelson admitted to a tough couple of years in that department, but this performance suggests he’s back on track. “I had a rough couple of years,” Mickelson said.

“That was a good round of golf. Really solid,” Burmester said. “I didn’t leave much out there. A couple putts I left in the throat that maybe could have gone in.

Sergio played a hell of a weekend there. I’m just glad I was up there. It was good to get those feelings again. I just kind of had that feeling all week that I was going to be close.”

Masaveu’s Mettle

Though he stumbled with a bogey at the par-5 third and par-3 fifth, then doubled the par-4 sixth, Masaveu’s resolve never wavered.

Knowing his team was in a tight battle, he rolled in a decisive birdie on his final hole (the 10th) to clinch victory.

“Standing on No. 7, I just knew I had to score at least 1-under,” Masaveu said.

“Started playing a little better from there. Then on No. 10 I saw on the screen that I needed to make birdie, so I tried my best, and thankfully I did it.”

“My short game is really sharp now.” He’s missed just one event this season due to injury and has finished with top-24 points in both appearances, currently sitting 12th in the standings.

Burmester Burns Bright

While Garcia stayed on cruise control, Dean Burmester gave it his all with the round of the day—a scorching 8-under 62—for solo second.

Fresh off a win at LIV Golf Miami last year, he was all smiles despite falling short against a flawless Garcia.

“That was a good round of golf. Really solid,” Burmester said. “I didn’t leave much out there. A couple putts I left in the throat that maybe could have gone in.

Sergio played a hell of a weekend there. I’m just glad I was up there. It was good to get those feelings again. I just kind of had that feeling all week that I was going to be close.”

Masaveu’s Mettle

Though he stumbled with a bogey at the par-5 third and par-3 fifth, then doubled the par-4 sixth, Masaveu’s resolve never wavered.

Knowing his team was in a tight battle, he rolled in a decisive birdie on his final hole (the 10th) to clinch victory.

“Standing on No. 7, I just knew I had to score at least 1-under,” Masaveu said.

“Started playing a little better from there. Then on No. 10 I saw on the screen that I needed to make birdie, so I tried my best, and thankfully I did it.”

Burmester might have been denied a shot at a playoff, but even he was impressed: “I saw the young kid Luis make a birdie, and that’s special,” he said. “For a kid like that, that’s awesome. So, kudos to him.”

The Caddie Factor

A year ago, Benji Thompson carried Abraham Ancer’s bag during Ancer’s triumph at the 2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong.

This offseason, Garcia brought Thompson aboard, and now Thompson is 2-for-2 at this venue.

“I’m giving him a nickname. I’m calling him King Kong. He’s the king of Hong Kong,” Garcia said with a grin. “Yeah, he’s got something on this course for sure.”

Rahm Keeps Rolling

Legion XIII Captain Jon Rahm shot a bogey-free 4-under 66 to tie for sixth at 11 under, continuing his run of finishing inside the top 10 in every LIV event he’s completed—except for one WD in Houston last season due to injury.

The Spaniard also extended his under-par streak to 18 rounds, just two shy of Bryson DeChambeau’s all-time league record.

Rahm now looks to keep that momentum alive next week in Singapore.

Final-Round Stat Sheet

• Driving accuracy: Branden Grace, 100% (14/14 fairways)

• Driving distance: Dustin Johnson, 342.8 yards avg.

• Longest drive: Bryson DeChambeau, 378.9 yards (11th hole)

• Greens in regulation: Tom McKibbin, 94.44% (17/18)

• Scrambling: 10 players at 100%, led by David Puig (6/6)

• Putting: Graeme McDowell, 1.33 putts per hole

• Bogey-free rounds: Dean Burmester (62), Sergio Garcia (63), Marc Leishman (65), Richard Bland (65), Jon Rahm (66), Cameron Smith (66), David Puig (67)

In short, it was yet another exhilarating week at LIV Golf Hong Kong, leaving fans eager to see if Garcia’s Fireballs can keep the embers glowing when the tour heads to Singapore.

If these early-season fireworks are a preview of things to come, buckle up—this LIV campaign is shaping up to be a wild ride.

- LIV Golf Weekly 

LIV GOLF HONG KONG: DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS

HONG KONG HIGHLIGHTS | DAY 3

SINGAPORE SEIZES VALENCIA FANS' PASSPORT

Singapore police said on Thursday they were investigating a Spanish couple for protesting billionaire Peter Lim's ownership of LaLiga side Valencia and had impounded their passports.

Lim, 71, became the new majority owner of then debt-ridden Valencia in 2014 via his Hong Kong-based investment company Meriton Holdings. His ownership of the club has become deeply unpopular among the fan base who are unhappy with the selling of star players and a revolving door of managers.

Valencia are struggling in La Liga and are in the relegation zone, third from bottom of the table with just six points from their opening nine matches.

Police said a 34-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman were helping in the investigation after the couple was found to have taken part in a "public assembly."

In Singapore, public assemblies include staging protests or publicising a cause and require an official permit.

The police did not name the couple but several media outlets including the BBC identified them as newlyweds Dani Cuesta and Mireia Sáez on their honeymoon in the city state.

Last week Cuesta posted on his X account photos of him holding a black and yellow banner that reads "Lim go home" at various locations in Singapore, including outside the billionaire's home. He also pasted a sticker saying "Lim out" on the gate of the businessman's compound.

Protest banners against Valencia owner Peter Lim are commonplace in Spain. Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images

The "Lim go home" banner is a common sight during regular fan protests in Spain. However, protests are frowned upon in tightly-regulated Singapore and those who take part without a permit can be fined up to $3,000.

The couple's family issued a statement asking the media to show discretion, saying the priority was to get them swiftly released and returned home.

Spain said its embassy in Singapore was providing assistance to those affected. Valencia said it hoped the issue could be resolved quickly

- Reuters 

LI NA IS NOW A DIRECTOR

 

KIM PAN-GON EARNING ULSAN HD JOB IS TESTAMENT TO WHAT HE ACHIEVED IN MALAYSIA, HONG KONG

Kim Pan-Gon was previously best known in South Korea for his technical role with the Korea Football Association, where he played a major role in the appointment of Paulo Bento -- under whom they reached the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images

 On Sunday, just over a week after he had abruptly vacated his role as Malaysia coach, Kim Pan-Gon was announced as the new man in charge of South Korean giants Ulsan HD.

It always seemed his likeliest destination once rumours started swirling in South Korea, even though there were murmurings that a return to Hong Kong was potentially on the cards.

With no disrespect to the Hong Kong national team vacancy, that was never likely to be on the cards.

Malaysia are on par with, if not superior to, Hong Kong, even though both had made excellent strides in recent times having ended long waits to return to the AFC Asian Cup earlier this year. The FIFA world rankings suggest as much with Malaysia sitting 134th and Hong Kong 25 places lower.

But Ulsan, who have been looking for a new man in charge since Hong Myung-Bo was jettisoned to the South Korea national team, is a far different story.

They have been the dominant force in South Korean football in the past couple of years although their overall haul of four K League 1 titles still pales in comparison to more traditional powerhouses like Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, FC Seoul and Pohang Steelers.

They are also one of the biggest clubs in all of Asia, having won the AFC Champions League twice, as recently as 2020.

Still, the biggest motivating factor for Kim -- which also is the strongest testimony to what he has achieved to earn this job -- is the fact that his marks the first opportunity he has to take on a top job in his native country.

Having had a decent playing career that saw him feature for Ulsan and also have a brief spell with Jeonbuk, the 55-year-old has had quite the unconventional coaching journey which started where he decided to hang up his boots -- in Hong Kong.

He had a stint as assistant coach with Busan IPark which saw him take over the reins in a caretaker capacity for a period of time but, prior to the Malaysia job, Kim's managerial experience largely came in Hong Kong -- first with club teams Hong Kong Rangers (then Buler Rangers) and South China, before taking charge of the national team on two separate occasions.

After a successful spell in charge of Malaysia, Kim Pan-Gon has returned to his native South Korea to take on the Ulsan HD job that was recently vacated by national hero Hong Myung-Bo. Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Kim did subsequently have another assisting role in the K League with Gyeongnam FC and, after his second spell with Hong Kong, then had a technical role at the Korea Football Association.

All were testament to his undeniable coaching acumen and yet a top job at one of South Korea's bigger teams still seemed a fantasy.

Those were usually reserved for former national team heroes with stellar credentials and reputations. The likes of Hong Myung-Bo, Hwang Sun-Hong and Kim Do-Hoon, who had all played at the FIFA World Cup.

Having never featured for South Korea at any level, few in the country had even heard of him.

Then, Malaysia came calling at the start of 2022. Harimau Malaya were 154th in the world at the time.

Under Kim Pan-Gon, they would qualify for the Asian Cup on merit for the first time since 1980 -- having last featured in 2007 by virtue of being the tournament's co-hosts.

While they would ultimately fail to make it out of the group stage back in January, Malaysia caused a real stir when they held giants South Korea to a thrilling 3-3 draw -- a game in which they came from behind to lead and then snatched a point with a dramatic equaliser in the 15th minute of injury-time.

They then won their opening two games in the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and looked on course for another major achievement, before falling away and missing out on the third round.

Still, even if he has left them at an untimely moment with the much-coveted ASEAN Championship at the end of the year, Malaysia are now in a significantly better place than where they were when Kim Pan-Gon first took charge, having even reached a high of world No. 130.

And for their former coach, what might have seemed a less-illustrious job is ultimately the one that has earned him recognition -- and vindication for his out-of-the-ordinary path back home.

Kim Pan-Gon has finally found his way to a top job in South Korea -- and with the K League's biggest club at that.

It may have seemed improbable previously, and he still may not be the likeliest of candidates.

Yet, for all that he achieved -- first in Hong Kong and then with Malaysia -- he thoroughly deserves the opportunity.

- Gabriel Tan

TENSIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND NBA ARE 'WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE' - NETS OWNER

Joe Tsai. USA TODAY Sports 

 Joe Tsai, owner of the Brooklyn Nets basketball team, said the NBA is “in a very good place” in its relationship with China, four years after Beijing took games off air following remarks about the 2019 Hong Kong protests by a team executive.

At a sports convention in Macau on Friday, Tsai said the U.S. basketball league and China, home to 300 million NBA fans, have mended their relationship.

Beijing suspended the broadcast of NBA games in 2019 after Daryl Morey, then general manager of the Houston Rockets team, tweeted in support of anti-government protests in Hong Kong. Chinese state television only resumed broadcasting games about a year later.

ANGER OVER MESSI'S ABSENCE IN HONG KONG GAME SPREADS: ARGENTINA FRIENDLY IN MAINLAND CHINA CANCELLED

AP

 HONG KONG (AP) — An Argentina soccer friendly in China next month was canceled on Friday in more fallout from Lionel Messi failing to play in a club exhibition match in Hong Kong.

World Cup champion Argentina, captained by Messi, last month scheduled a tour of China during the international break from March 18-26. Games were lined up against Nigeria in Hangzhou and Ivory Coast in Beijing. Both opponents are coincidentally meeting in the Africa Cup of Nations final this weekend.

But Messi, on tour with his Inter Miami club, outraged fans in Hong Kong when he didn't play against a local selection last Sunday and remained on the bench. Messi said he had a groin injury. But his excuse didn't wash in Hong Kong after he played for 30 minutes on Wednesday in Tokyo against Vissel Kobe.

On Friday, the sports bureau in Hangzhou canceled the Argentina-Nigeria friendly.

“Because of the reasons known to all, we've learned from supervising authorities that the conditions are immature for the match to go forward. Now it’s been decided that the match will be canceled,” the Hangzhou Sports Bureau announced on its official social media account.

An Argentina Football Association official told the Associated Press it was aware the match was suspended and was looking for another venue to play Nigeria. The official spoke on condition of anonymity saying, “It’s a sensitive matter.”

LIONEL MESSI, INTER MIAMI FACE QUESTIONING FROM HONG KONG GOVERNMENT

Lionel Messi was unable to take part in Inter Miami's preseason game in Hong Kong on Sunday. Fred Lee/Getty Images

 The Hong Kong government demanded answers from Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi on Wednesday after the Argentine played in a friendly in Japan just three days after missing a similar exhibition match in its country.

Hong Kong's Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said in a statement that, like the fans, it was very disappointed that Messi could not play in Hong Kong due to injury.

"However three days later, Messi was able to play actively and freely in Japan," the statement read. "The government hopes the organisers and teams can provide reasonable explanations."

Many in the financial hub were dismayed on Sunday when the 36-year-old did not come onto the field during a much hyped Inter Miami match to a sell-out crowd with fans demanding answers and a refund.

Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said Messi was deemed unfit to play in Sunday's match in the Hong Kong friendly after saying before the game that it was likely he would play. The World Cup winner came on as a 60th minute substitute on Wednesday in Miami's shootout loss to Japanese side Vissel Kobe.

MESSI MISSES MIAMI'S HONG KONG FRIENDLY AS ORGANISERS FACE GOVT FUNDING CUT

Reuters 

 Lionel Messi's three days of adulation in Hong Kong ended in heartbreak for his fans as the Argentine did not take to the field in Inter Miami's 4-1 win against a local League XI in a friendly played in front of a sellout crowd on Sunday.

Spectators chanted "refund" and the Hong Kong government said match organisers Tatler Asia may face a reduction in funding after Messi stayed on the bench during the match.

The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) had granted 15 million Hong Kong dollars ($1.92 million) for the event along with a one million Hong Kong dollar grant for the venue, the government said in a statement.

"Regarding Messi not playing the match today, the Government, as well as all football fans, are extremely disappointed about the organisers' arrangement. The organiser owes all football fans an explanation," they said.

"The MSEC will take follow-up actions with the organiser according to the terms and conditions, which includes reducing the amount of funding as a result of Messi not playing the match."

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BOLD AS PALESTINE MAKE HISTORY BY REACHING ASIAN CUP KNOCKOUT ROUND

Getty 

 Heading into Tuesday's Group C action at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Palestine knew they had plenty to do -- and then hope for -- if they were to be certain of making history by advancing out of the group stage for the first time ever.

They needed to beat Hong Kong, hope for an Iran triumph over United Arab Emirates, and erase a five-goal deficit between them and the Emiratis in the process.

In the end, they came up just short in that aspect.

Yet, for all the endeavour and valour they displayed, they got their reward in the end.

With two goals from Oday Dabbagh and one from Zaid Qunbar, they held up their end of the bargain with a dominant 3-0 win over Hong Kong and it initially looked as though the original scenario was indeed somehow going to eventuate with Iran leading UAE by two goals.

But a 93rd-minute strike from Yahya Al-Ghassani meant the Iranians would only be able to pull off a 2-1 victory.

With UAE and Palestine level on four points and having played out a draw in their own meeting -- negating head-to-head record as a tie breaker -- the former would finish in second place ahead of the latter on goal difference by a solitary strike.

Originally, the Palestinians would have faced a nervous wait to find out if they would advance as one of the four best-performing third-placed teams.

Nonetheless, with Groups A and B already concluded, and with Syria and China both ranking lower in the third-place team standings, Palestine's progress was confirmed.

In the end, they had their own sense of adventure to thank given the way they constantly looked to score more and more against Hong Kong.

Just a win was not enough for them. They knew they had to give themselves as much of a chance and they duly did just that.

With Palestine and Syria both on four points -- and China out of the equation with just two -- it was the fact that the former had scored five goals ensured there would be at least two teams below them, with the Syrians boasting just one goal to their names.

It proved to be an evening of real drama as it seemed at times that fate just would not be on Palestine's side, while they also did ride their luck a fair bit.

 Iran twice had goals disallowed upon VAR review which would have given them a far healthier margin of victory than they had via a Mehdi Taremi double, and would have guaranteed the runners-up spot for the Palestinians.

Palestine did however look certain to concede against Hong Kong in injury-time of their own game, only for Everton Camargo to smash a penalty off the crossbar and inadvertently preserve a three-goal triumph for the West Asian outfit.

Ultimately, perhaps it was a case of fortune favouring the brave.

Having only made their Asian Cup debut in 2015, Palestine are now through to the knockout round for the first time in three attempts -- and they certainly did so because they gave it a real go.

Whatever they go on to achieve from here, the 2023 edition of the Asian Cup will always be one to remember for them.

- Gabriel Tan