Hong Kong U20 Men's Representative Team took on Vietnam U20 National Team on Wednesday afternoon in Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, Indonesia for the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023 Qualifiers Group F opener. Hong Kong gave it its best shot on the day but came up short against Vietnam, dropping a 1:5 decision.

Vietnam went straight at Hong Kong after the opening whistle. On the 6th minute, Nguyen Quoc Viet fired from inside the Hong Kong box, forcing out a superb one-hand save from goalkeeper Pong Cheuk-hei.

Moments later, Vietnam came close once again. This time, Khuat Van Khang's free-kick from the right wing hit the Hong Kong crossbar and stayed out of the net. Hong Kong dodged a bullet on the occasion.

Hong Kong came up with a half decent chance on the 14th minute. Law Cheuk-hei unloaded a bouncing shot from down the middle but could not find the target with his strike.

On the other end, Vietnam came close to opening the score.  Nguyen Thanh Nhan pulled the trigger from the left side but was denied by a splendid kick-save from Pong Cheuk-hei in the Hong Kong goal.

However, Vietnam was not to be denied. On the 25th minute, Dinh Xuan Tien connected with a teammate's delivery and buried his chance. Vietnam was up by a goal.

On the 32nd minute, a Hong Kong player committed a foul inside his own box. Vietnam was awarded a penalty-shot by the referee. Nguyen Quoc Viet took care of the spot-kick and fired it home. Vietnam now had a two-goal lead.

Late in the first half, Hong Kong's Jeremy Tsang delivered a teasing cross towards the middle. Adriel Chan seized the opportunity but fired the ball wide. The first half ended with Hong Kong down by two goals.

Early in the second half, Vietnam was at it again. Dinh Xuan Tien unloaded a low drive from just outside the box and found the back of the Hong Kong net. Vietnam was now pulling away.

On the 58th minute, Vietnam's Khuat Van Khang belted a low drive to the far-side of the Hong Kong net and scored. Vietnam was now up by four goals.

Hong Kong pulled one back on the 67th minute, as the referee awarded Hong Kong with a penalty-shot, after spotting a Vietnam player committing a foul inside his own box. Ellison Tsang assumed the spot-kick duty but saw his initial strike saved by the goalkeeper. Tsang was quick to the rebound and drilled the ball home.

Late in the game, Vietnam's Nguyen Duc Anh headed the ball home from close-range. Vietnam regained its four-goal lead.

At the full time whistle, Hong Kong succumbed to a superior Vietnam side by 1:5.