Perhaps the happiest fans in the world this weekend were in Hong Kong. The special administrative region of China, as I guess we should formally call it, has been competing in international football for sixty years, and yesterday won its first ever title, a gold medal in the East Asian Games football tournament.

A capacity crowd of over 40,000 watched the hosts, consisting largely of amateurs from the Hong Kong league, beat Japan 4-2 on penalty kicks, after a 1-1 draw.

Japan and Hong Kong prepare for penalties. Image courtesy of ibausu on Flickr.

Image courtesy of Johnny Leung ^^ on Flickr.

This was no pansy field: Hong Kong defeated World Cup qualifiers North Korea in the semi-final (also on penalty kicks), and surprisingly crushed South Korea 4-1 in the group stage. Hong Kong’s East Asian rivals did not field their strongest teams, but that will do little to dampen the celebrations and a major spur to the sport’s growth in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's players celebrate. Image courtesy of YUKEI813 on Flickr.

Hong Kong fans celebrate. Image courtesy of H.L.Tam on Flickr.

Hong Kong fans outside the stadium. Photo courtesy of H.L.Tam on Flickr.

Gold medal winners. Image courtesy of ibausu on Flickr.