Hong Kong secured a 2-0 victory over Brunei at Kai Tak Stadium on Thursday, advancing to the final of the FIFA ASEAN Cup against Cambodia. The hosts faced a determined and disciplined Brunei side, who had earlier been reduced to 10 men following a 48th-minute red card shown to defender Hanif Hamir for a reckless challenge on Matt Orr.

The match marked a turnaround in the rivalry between the teams, with Brunei having endured a heavy 10-0 defeat in Hong Kong three years prior. This time, they maintained a resilient defensive structure for much of the game, frustrating the home side before Hong Kong broke the deadlock just after the hour mark.

Juninho, making his final contribution before being substituted, delivered a precise cross that Philip Chan Siu-kwan headed past Brunei goalkeeper Haimie Abdullah Nyaring in the 60th minute. Chan’s goal sparked momentum for Hong Kong, who were buoyed by the support of a crowd of 20,116 spectators, a significant increase compared to the modest attendance earlier in the day for Cambodia’s 2-2 draw with Timor-Leste.

Hong Kong sealed their win in the closing stages when Orr controlled a cross from Everton Camargo on the right wing before volleying a well-placed finish to make it 2-0. The result ensures Hong Kong will face Cambodia in the final over the weekend, setting up a contest between the host nation and their Southeast Asian counterparts.

The match underscored Hong Kong’s ability to overcome resilient opposition and highlighted key contributions from players like Juninho and Orr as the home side pursues regional success in the ASEAN tournament.