China edges toward century, Hong Kong wins soccer title
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China is close to the 100-gold medal mark at the 5th East Asian Games in Hong Kong on Saturday when hosts Hong Kong won the men's soccer title for the first time.
China takes a strong hold to the top of the nine-team standings, with 95 gold, 63 silver and 37 bronze to reach a total of 195 medals, lagging second-placed Japan behind with 51-49-65. South Korea remain third in 36-36-53.
Hong Kong stayed in fourth as they had a glorious day to lift the men's soccer title, bag three one-two finishes in squash and sweep the podium in men's individual road cycling.
China was overwhelming in Saturday's rowing and diving, seizing all 10 titles on offer and dominated in five Wushu taolu events while Hong Kong kungfu athletes brought home the other one.
In the men's soccer final, Hong Kong continued their surprising journey to the very top as they defeated Japan for the title. The two teams drew 1-1 in regular time. After a goalless overtime, Hong Kong beat Japan 4-2 in shootout.
Hong Kong players were also victorious in squash, where six Hong Kong pairs slug it out for the men's, women's and mixed doubles gold medals.
In men's individual road cycling, the hosts eventually fulfilled their dream of winning, not through their famed veteran cyclist Wong Kam Po, but a younger hero Tang Wang Yip.
Windsurfing was almost an all-Hong Kong affair if not for South Korean Lee Taehoon's triumph in men's Rs X event. Hong Kong surfers won the other three titles.
The athletics saw Japan bag seven out of 12 gold medals and China took four. South Korea had the only other one.
In judo, Japanese judoists collected half of the titles while China and South Korea had two apiece and Hong Kong walked away with one.
In women's hockey final, South Korea pushed aside China 4-1 for the title and their bowlers won the last two titles in bowling competition.
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