Despite an upset in the men's lightweight double sculls semifinal of rowing competition at the 15th Asian Games, Hong Kong, China was not swayed and still keeps its goal on the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Hong Kong's team celebrates coming in third during the women's 4x100m freestyle relay swimming finals at the 15th Asian Games in Doha December 3, 2006. [Reuters]

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"Obviously India crossed the lane and it's against the rules. We made a formal complaint about that but the jury didn't accept that. So we have to accept the result and hope to see the afternoon competition." said Christopher John Perry, head coach of Hong Kong team.

Hong Kong's rowing won four silvers and four bronzes in Asian Games history, including one silver and two bronzes in Busan in 2002. But so far in Doha, they haven't booked one berth in final A.

"I'm not disappointed about the athletes' performance. I hope we have more teams in the final, but I know the afternoon competition will be hard." added Perry. During the Tuesday afternoon session, there will be three Hong Kong rowers competing in the semifinals.

"The course is not normal 2000 meters but 1000 meters. Though we are not doing as well as we did in 2002 but our standard has improved. " Perry said, "Our primary goal is still the Beijing Olympic Games because it's the first time we have rowing competition on home soil."

Perry also noted that China has improved in international competitions like in this year's world championship, that will be a part of the buildup for the Beijing Olympics.

As for the other teams, Perry said that Japan has some good teams and the East Asian Zone is still the strongest in rowing in Asia.