HONG KONG: Qatar on Tuesday beat hosts Hong Kong 3-2 to go top of Group C following a hard-fought win at Mong Kok Stadium. The 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup joint qualifying match was a fiery contest from the word go. Despite trailing 3-0 with 10 minutes to go, Hong Kong almost completed a stunning comeback against but left themselves just too much to do after conceding three goals down. Karim Boudiaf (22), Abdelkarim Hassan (62) and Mohammed Musa (84) scored the goals for Qatar who enjoyed a 3-0 cushion at one time. However, Bai He (87) and substitute Godfred Karikari (88) scored late goals to reduce the deficit. Qatar now take on China on October 8 followed by a clash against Maldives on October 13. Both games will be played under lights at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. Second-placed China, who drew against Hong Kong last week, on Tuesday crushed Maldives 3-0. Hong Kong with 7 points from four matches are in third place. Group leaders Qatar are unbeaten in three matches so far.