Second half substitute Giovane da Silva, making his international debut for Hong Kong after obtaining the required documentation just last month, also had a goal-mouth chance denied by the goalkeeper.

Later, the coach thanked the passionate supporters and hinted that he was not too concerned by the result.

“I worried about if we didn’t create chances ... worried about if players were not fighting to the last second of the game ... worried about the players’ attitude,” said White at the post match media conference. “But none of those things happened tonight, none of those things have happened since I took over the team.

“The team has been fantastic. It’s just a matter of time before Giovane [da Silva] put in one or two or Paul Ngue or whoever gets in front of goal ... we are going to score goals. I am not worried about that – we just have to do better with the end product, to have better crossing and to have better finishing.”

But the coach felt sorry for the supporters who filled up more than two thirds of 6,200-seater venue.

“I wanted to give them a win, the players wanted to give them a win,” White said. “They deserved it. They were working hard too like the players, the staff and everybody else. I am really disappointed for them because they are not going to be with us in Indonesia to see when we do put those goals in. But I am sure there will be a chance for them to see those goals go in.”

White said he would still keep youngster Dai Wai-tsun in his plans although he would not only focus on the English League One midfielder.

“He (Dai) is just one player and he’s got a lot of potential but our programme will never be dominated or dictated by one player,” White said. “We will continue to keep him on the radar as we will try to put the best players on the field for Hong Kong and people that want to fight. But if someone doesn’t want to come, they don’t want to come.”