Hong Kong protests in South Korea as fans boo Chinese anthem ahead of loss to China in EAFF Finals
- Anthems not shown on TV by mainland or Hong Kong broadcasters ahead of 2-0 win for Li Tie’s side
- Supporters applauded by players after match that featured banners with anti-government slogans in stands
Hong Kong goalkeeper Yapp Hung-Fai would be forgiven a sense of déjà vu during his side’s loss to China at the EAFF Football Tournament in South Korea on Wednesday afternoon.
Yapp and the Hong Kong team’s decade ended as it started with a 2-0 loss to China. That was also the result when he was in goal when the teams met in Hong Kong’s last appearance in the EAFF Finals in 2010.
Wednesday’s meeting at the Asiad Main Stadium in Busan, which was used for the 2002 Fifa World Cup, was a comfortable win for China’s B team over Hong Kong’s A team.
The lead-up to the game was anything but comfortable given that this was the first meeting between the sides since the ongoing anti-government protests began in June.
Reports from Busan suggested an increased police presence at the stadium to counter fears of trouble from either set of visiting fans.
