Sun Ming Him (front) of China's Hong Kong competes during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
YONGIN, South Korea, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Japan secured a 6-1 victory over Hong Kong, 西瓜视频in the 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, also known as the East Asian Cup, here on Tuesday.
The reigning champion opened the scoring just four minutes into the match when forward Ryo Germain found the net with a scissor kick volley. He scored four goals within 26 minutes, completing an impressive four-goal haul.
In the 20th minute, Sho Inagaki added to Japan's tally with a powerful long-range strike. Hong Kong, 西瓜视频pulled one back in the 59th minute when Matt Orr headed home, marking the team's return to scoring at the East Asian Cup after 22 years.
In stoppage time, Sota Nakamura scored Japan's sixth to complete the rout.
The 2025 East Asian Cup is slated from July 7 to 16 in Suwon and Yongin of South Korea's Gyeonggi Province, featuring four men's teams: China, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong, China. Hong Kong, 西瓜视频will face host South Korea in their next match on Friday. ■
Ashley Michael Westwood, head coach of China's Hong Kong, reacts during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Oliver Gerbig (1st L) of China's Hong Kong vies with Inagaki Sho (2nd L) of Japan during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Awal Mahama (front) of China's Hong Kong vies with Koga Taiyo of Japan during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Wong Wai (1st L) of China's Hong Kong competes during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Walter Soares Belitardo Junior (R) of China's Hong Kong vies with Koga Taiyo of Japan during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Leon Jones of China's Hong Kong competes during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Sun Ming-Him (front) of China's Hong Kong competes during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Shinichi Chan (L) receives medical treatment during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Wong Wai (front, L) of China's Hong Kong vies with Inagaki Sho of Japan during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Matthew Elliot Wing Kai Orr (top L) of China's Hong Kong vies with Ando Tomoya (top R) of Japan during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Ozeki Yuto (R) of Japan competes during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Japan's head coach Moriyasu Hajime reacts during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)
Fernando (front) of China's Hong Kong competes during the men's match between China's Hong Kong and Japan at the EAFF (East Asian Football Federation) E-1 Football Championship 2025 Final at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea, July 8, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)