Overview
- Shawal Anuar equalised in the 64th minute and Ilhan Fandi struck four minutes later after Matt Orr gave Hong Kong an early lead at a packed Kai Tak Stadium.
- Singapore move to 11 points to lead Group C, leaving Hong Kong on eight and unable to overtake due to the head-to-head record.
- Ilhan came on as a second-half substitute, provided an assist and scored the winner, then left injured saying he heard a "crack" in his foot.
- This is Singapore's first Asian Cup berth earned through qualifying, with their only prior appearance coming as 1984 hosts.
- Interim coach Gavin Lee guided a campaign of narrow wins and resilient away performances to clinch qualification in a winner-takes-all fixture before the final matchday.