Dhaka, Bangladesh – In a heart-stopping encounter at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Hong Kong secured a stunning 4-3 victory against Bangladesh in their AFC Asian Cup qualifier on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Substitute Raphael Merkies etched his name into Hong Kong footballing folklore by completing a hat-trick with a goal in the 101st minute, sending shockwaves through the home crowd.

The match was a rollercoaster of emotions for both sides. Bangladesh drew first blood in the 13th minute when Hamza Choudhury, the English Premier League midfielder, scored a spectacular free-kick that deflected off a Hong Kong defender and into the net. It was Choudhury's second goal for Bangladesh, adding to his previous score against Bhutan in a friendly match in June.

Hong Kong responded resiliently, creating several scoring opportunities. Their persistence paid off just before halftime when Everton Camargo capitalized on a corner-kick rebound, calmly slotting the ball past Mitul Marma to level the score.

The second half saw Hong Kong emerge with renewed vigor. Raphael Merkies, who came on as a substitute, wasted no time in making his presence felt. In the 50th minute, he intercepted a weak back pass from Mohammad Sohel Rana and finished with aplomb, giving Hong Kong the lead. Merkies further extended Hong Kong's advantage, scoring his second and the team's third goal.

However, Bangladesh refused to surrender. Shekh Morsalin's 84th-minute strike ignited a late surge. Then, in the 99th minute, Shamit Shome appeared to have rescued a point for the home side with a header.

But the drama was far from over. In the dying moments of stoppage time, Jesse Yu Joy-yin delivered a cross that eventually found its way to Merkies. Merkies then squeezed his shot past goalkeeper Mitul Marma to complete his hat-trick and seal a dramatic victory for Hong Kong.

This victory gives Hong Kong a significant advantage in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. According to the Football Association of Hong Kong, their next fixture is against Bangladesh at Kai Tak Stadium. Before this match, Hong Kong is at the top of Group C with seven points, followed by Singapore with five, India with two, and Bangladesh with one.

The loss was a bitter blow for Bangladesh, who had hoped to capitalize on their home advantage. The team included Javier Cabrera in the lineup and benched key players such as Shamit Shome and captain Jamal Bhuiyan. Although Bangladesh displayed a spirited performance, the late goal dashed their hopes of progressing to the main event.

The match was the fifth encounter between Bangladesh and Hong Kong. Hong Kong has remained unbeaten in all previous matches, securing two wins.