HONG KONG—This week’s BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League round kicked off on Friday (Feb 17) night, with the game between HKFC and R&F at HKFC’s Sports Road Ground, with both looking to lessen their relegation worries by moving up the table, HKFC to get off of the bottom of the table for once, and R&F to try and put a significant points difference between themselves and HKFC.
After scares at either end, when first an R&F mix up led to an own goal being narrowly avoided,
and then HKFC goalkeeper Issey Maholo making an important save, R&F established a dominant position with 3 first half goals in a five minute period. First, in the 33rd minute, Yang Ting broke down the right hand side before cutting into the box, playing a one-two with Chan Lapming, and then finishing with aplomb for the opening goal for R&F, then doubled their lead two minutes later when Tommy Chuck headed in Liang Zicheng’s free kick. They added a third in the 40th minute when Chan Lapming converted Liang Zicheng’s cross for a 3-nil half time lead, despite HKFC’s Frederick Schipper hitting the post in the final stages of the half.
R&F extended their lead to 4-nil in the 58th minute when Tommy Chuck finished adroitly after Chan Lapming had pulled the ball back after breaking down the left wing. Thinking that the game was finished, R&F relaxed, then seeing the deficit reduced in the 71st minute when Gary Gheczy headed in HKFC’s first from Frederick Schipper' corner, and reduced further in the 78th minute when Daniel Man fired home HKFC’s second from close range after R&F’s defender’s failed to clear a throw in. Gheczy pulled HKFC to within a goal in stoppage time, but it was too little too late, and R&F survived to claim the vital 3 points, and leave HKFC rooted to bottom spot.
Saturday’s (Feb 18) first game saw Kwoon Chung Southern take on BC Glory Sky at Aberdeen Sports Ground, Kwoon Chung Southern taking an 18th minute lead when James Ha converted a ball from Marcos Jiminez, doubling their lead 2 minutes later when Marcos Jiminez headed in Michael Luk’s free kick, and then heading into the half time break 3-nil ahead with a 45th minute 3rd from Lau Hac-yung. Kwoon Chung Southern dominated the second half as well and added a 4th with James Ha’s fine strike in the 57th minute, a 5th two minutes late when Hui Wang-fung converted James Ha’s corner kick, and Marcos Jiminez added a 6th for his brace in the 69th minute and a final 6-nil scoreline. .
The later game saw Kitchee face Wo Foo Tai Po at Mongkok Stadium, Kitchee prevailing with the only goal of the game in the 24th minute when Alessandro Leonardo finished Fernando Pedreira’s pass to claim the 3 points.
Sunday’s (Feb 19) early game involved KMB Yuen Long against Lee Man Rangers at Yuen Long Stadium, KMB Yuen Long winning through strikes from Yiu Ho-ming early and Stefan Pedreira late to secure the 2-nil victory.
The later game saw South China play Hong Kong Pegasus at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, with Hong Kong Pegasus claiming the points following Travis Major’s finish following Joao Emir’s corner kick in the 52nd minute, and Leong Ka-hang’s finish from Chan Siu ki’s pass 3 minutes later for a 2-nil victory
Eastern Long Lions lead the table with 33 points from 13 matches, with Kitchee second with 30 points from the same matches. HFFC prop up the division with 3 points from 13 matches, with BC Glory Sky 10th with 5 points, and R&F ninth with 9 points from the same matches.
In First Division games, Eastern District were 1-nil victors over Resource Capital FC, Easyknit Property were 5-nil winners against Citizen,Sun Hei were 2-1 victors over Shatin, Metro Gallery won 3-2 against YauTsim Mong, Double Flower were 1-nil winners against Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin were 5-2 victors over Tung Sing, and Wanchai won 3-2 against Kwai Tsing.
Sun Hei lead the table with 44 points from 16 games with Wong Tai Sin second with 43 points from the same matches.
In the second division, Kowloon City were 2-1 victors over HKU CXSC Sun Source, Lucky Mile were 1-nil winners against Kwok Keung Linkers ONC, Tuen Mun won 4-nil against Sai Kung, Sham Shui Po were 2-1 winners against Tuen Mun FC, Sparta Rotterdam Mutual won 3-nil against Kwong Wah, and Central & Western drew 1-all with Hoi King.
Central & Western lead the table with 31 points from 14 matches with Hoi King 2nd with 28 points from 13 games, with 3 teams I pursuit with 26 points from 14 games.
In the round of third division games, GFC Friends were 2-1 victors over KCDRSC, Golik North District were 2-1 winners against Happy Valley, New Fair Kui Tan won 2-1 against V Sports, Ornament played against Islands, Fukien won 3-nil against Telecom, Leaper St Josephs were beaten 3-4 by Tsuen Wan.
Happy Valley and GFC Friends lead the table with 37 points from 16 matches, with Wing Go Fu Moon third with 35 points from the same games.
Yau Yee League
In the sixteenth round of first division matches, leaders Wanderers drew 1-all with GAS,, Colts won against KCC Knights, Colloids were 3-1 victors over Swiss XI, and French Kiss were 3-2 winners against Baker Tilly Spartans.
Wanderers lead the table with 36 points from 15 matches, with Colts second with 34 points from 14 games, and Albion third with 31 points from 13 matches, and GAS 4th with 29 points from 15 games.
In the second division, Carnegies Boca Seniors drew 1-all with Azzurri, CSOB were 4-3 victors over Dynamo, Hearts FC were 4-nil winners against WYFC06, IES won 3-nil against Grasshoppers, White Youth FC drew nil-all with ANP, and HKU70’s were 2-1 winners against GGFC.
Azzurri are league leaders with 38 points from 16 matches, with Carnegies Boca Seniors second with 36 points from the same matches.
In the third division, Yan Po were 4-3 victors over Goal Visio, Darts were 3-2 winners agaisnt Friends of Barclays, Scorpions won 1-nil against HOB, Power 22 drew with Outward Bound, Antonhill were 3-nil winners against University, and Maccabi HK won 4-1 against HOB .
Maccabi HK lead the table with 41 points from 16 matches, with Antonhill 2nd with 38 points and Yan Po third with 35 points from the same games.
In the fourth division, Corinthians were 3-1 victors over CAPS, Gurkha International drew 2-all with WYFC84, BOC won 1-nil against Skyline, Rising Sun were 3-2 winners against Standard Chartered, and Green Cypress FC were 9-1 victors over Bapcoll.
Corinthians lead the table with 35 points from 15 matches, with Green Cypress FC second with 34 points from 14 games.
Allan Jackson has been involved in soccer for more than 40 years as a player, referee, administrator and freelance writer.
