Higher ranked China PR dominated the ball but had difficulty finishing their attack. Hong Kong tried to counter-attack as they took possession of loose balls but also failed to produce results. The match was in a standstill in the earlier minutes.

The game started picking up at the 19th minute as Yang Pu sent a cross pass from the left to Zhao Xuri, who volleyed the ball into the goal and gave China PR a head start. In the 21st minute, Liu Jindong delivered a crashing middle shot, which gave China PR total control of the game.

Hong Kong countered and gained three consecutive corner kicks from the 36th minute but couldn't seize China's goal. Then, in the 43rd minute, Yang Chen sent Yang Pu's pass into Hong Kong's goal, and China PR finished the 1st half with a 3-goal lead.

Hong Kong picked up pace in the 2nd half and carried the ball several times into the penalty area. In the 65th minute, Hong Kong gained a free kick and Law Chun Bong dived to head the ball, which almost gave Hong Kong their first goal of the match. Hong Kong's efforts finally paid off in the 74th minute as substitute Lo Chi Kwan shot a cross ball which hit the goal post and went in. China PR shook off Hong Kong's persistent counteroffensive and won 3-1.

On his team's third-place finish in the competition, Coach Arend Haan of China PR commented, "We were able to gain valuable experience in this tournament. The losses to Korea Rep. and Japan were of our own doing. We hope we can learn from our mistakes here and make good use of our experience in the first round of the World Cup Asian Preliminary Competition."

Fourth place Hong Kong's Coach Lai Sun Cheung also commented enthusiastically, "This has been a good experience toward our preparation for the World Cup Preliminary Competition."

The two teams will meet again next year in the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Asian Preliminary Competition.