Kyrgyzstan U23 vs Hong Kong U23 Asian Games Preview
There is only pride at stake as Kyrgyzstan battle Hong Kong in their final Group A fixture in the football event at the 2026 Asian Games.
Both teams are already out but will be keen to avoid leaving empty-handed.
Key Stats
- Kyrgyzstan U23 have scored in five of their last seven matches in all competitions.
- Kyrgyzstan U23 have conceded in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Hong Kong U23 have scored in two of their last three matches in all competitions.
- Hong Kong U23 have conceded in seven of their last eight matches in all competitions.
No Previous Meetings
This will be the first ever meeting between Kyrgyzstan and Hong Kong at this level.
Kyrgyzstan Playing for Pride
Kyrgyzstan are coming off a 7-0 defeat to Japan in their previous Group A fixture. They were second best throughout the contest and struggled to cope with the superior quality of the Samurai Blue.
That was the second straight defeat for Kyrgyzstan at the Asian Games, having lost 3-2 to Thailand in their opening fixture. The losses mean Edmar's team are out of the competition and are only playing for pride on Wednesday.
The defeat to Japan highlights Kyrgyzstan’s defensive issues, and they are without a clean sheet in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, they have shown some attacking quality, scoring in five of the last seven fixtures in this run.
Hong Kong Seeking Redemption
Hong Kong were also beaten in their previous fixture, suffering a 5-1 defeat to Thailand. They struck early in the contest through Chun-Ming Wu but were pegged back before the break and capitulated in the second half.
Having also lost 2-0 to Japan in their opening fixture, Hong Kong are now out of the Asian Games. However, manager Tsang Chiu-Tat will be keen to avoid ending their campaign empty-handed.
Like their rivals, defending has been a major problem for Hong Kong, who have conceded in seven of their last eight matches in all competitions. However, they have scored in two of the last three fixtures in this run.
Team News & Predicted Line-ups
Kyrgyzstan (3-4-2-1): Kurmanbek Nurlanbekov; Altay Raimbekov, Christian Brauzman, Aitenir Balbakov; Nadzhibullo Alizhanov, Bakytbek Uulu, Nursultan Toktonaliev, Baybol Ermekov; Kimi Merk, Sultan Bokoleev; Kai Merk.
Nursultan Toktonaliev and Sultan Bokoleev were second-half substitutes last time out and could earn a start on Wednesday. Kai Merk should lead the line once again while Brauzman is set to continue at the heart of the defence.
Hong Kong (4-4-2): Sheung-Hei Poon; Krisna Korani, Helio, Yi-Hang Tsang, Kai-Cheuk Yim; Sohgo Ichikawa, Chun-Ming Wu, Ngan Cheuk Pan, Jeremy Tsang; Lok Him-Lee, Yu-Hei Ng.
Hong Kong could make a few changes to their team, with Lok Him-Lee and Kai-Cheuk Yim pushing to start. Wu could continue in midfield following his goal last time out, while Helio should feature at the back once again.