Eastern Miss Chance to Increase Lead in HKFA Premier League

Association football—Hong Kong

Frederick Schipper is stopped by the Wanchai defence during their 1-nil victory in the HKFA first division match at Sports Road on Saturday Feb 20, 2016. Bill Cox/Epoch Times

HONG KONG—Fixtures in the HKFA Premier League on Saturday (Feb 20) saw the clash between Kwoon Chung Southern and Kitchee at the Aberdeen Sports ground, and the game between South China and Yuen Long at Yuen long Stadium. On Sunday (Feb 21) Hong Kong Pegasus played Eastern at Hong Kong Stadium, and BC Rangers met Glory Sky Wong Tai Sin at Kowloon Bay Park

In the game between Kitchee and Kwoon Chung Southern, Kwoon Chung Southern opened the scoring in the 43rd minute when Jose Diaz finished from Tomas Maronesi’s cross. Kitchee quickly replied in the 45th minute when Jered Lum scored direct from a corner kick. Neither side could add to their score in the second half resulting in a drawn game.

In Saturday’s other game, South China took the lead in the 18th minute when Ryan Griffiths scored with a header from a corner, and extended their lead in the 78th minute when Awal Mahama scored after goalkeeping error from Chiu Yu Ming. However, South China were left to rue a missed opportunity when first, Yuen Long pulled a goal back when Park Chanjong finished after being fed by Yuan Yang, and second, when Aleksander Randelovic equalised for Yuen Long following a goalmouth melee.

In Sunday’s game, Eastern missed a chance to impose themselves on the Premiership leader board when they were held to a nil all draw by Hong Kong Pegasus, with neither side able to convert any of their chances. Eastern still lead the table but could have boosted their lead to 3 points instead of one, and still have 2 games in hand of each of their nearest challengers.

In the day’s other game, BC Rangers took the lead in the 20th minute when Ernesto Gomez scored, but Glory Sky Wong Tai Sin quickly equalised in the 25th minute when Liu Pui-fung finished from Zhang Jun’s free kick. BC Rangers wrapped up a 2-1 win in the 79th minute when Mauricio Da Luz fired home the rebound after Roberto Fronza had hit the bar from Chow Cheuk-hung’s corner.

Eastern who have yet to lose a game lead the table with 23 points from 9 matches, South China lie second with 22 points from 11 matches, and Kitchee are third with 19 points from 10 matches. Eastern still remain title favourites with just under half the season to go as they would need to lose to both contenders for either of the other two to be in the frame, and have yet to lose a league game yet.

In the first division, HKFC were 1- nil victors over Wanchai, Yau Tsim Mong were beaten 2-1 by Metro Gallery Sun Source, Kwai Tsing were 2-1 winners against Tai Chung, Tai Po beat Lucky Mile 4-3, Sun Hei drew 2-all with Kwun Tong, Shatin won 1-nil against Citizen, and Easyknit Property were 2-1 victors over Double Flower.

Tai Po lead the table with 40 points, with HKFC second with 36 points, Citizen are third with 32 points all from 16 games, Sun Hei are fourth with 30 points from 15 matches, and Yau Tsim Mong fifth with 28 points from 14 matches.

In the second division, Eastern District were 3-nil victors over Tuen Mun FC, Sham Shui Po were beaten 1-nil by Kwok Keung, Kowloon City won 2-nil against Tung Sing, Sai Kung drew 1-all with Kwong Wah, and Sparta Rotterdam Mutual won2-1 against Tuen Mun.

Eastern District lead the division with 30 points from 13 matches, with Sham Shui Po second with 29 points from the same matches, Sparta Rotterdam Mutual third with 27 points from the same matches, and Tung Sing fourth with 26 points from the same matches.

In the third division Islands were 4-3 winners over KCC, Hoi King were 2-1 victors over GFC Friends, St Joseph’s were 4-nil winners against King Mountain, Ornament won 2-1 against New Fair Kui Tan, Central & Western were 2-nil victors over Wing Go Fu Moon, Fukien won 2-nil against Sun International, Rex Global North District were 6-nil victors over HKFYG, and KCDRSC were 2-1 winners against Telecom.

Central & Western lead the table with 49 points, with Hoi King in second place with 48 points, both from 18 games.


Yau Yee League
In the first division, Albion won 1-nil over KCC Dragons, Colts won 2-1 against The Store House Squadron, GAS drew 1-all with USRC, HKDC Mobsters outplayed HKU70’s 5-1, and Wanderers were 3-1 victors over Baker Tilly Spartans.

GAS lead the division with 35 points from 14 games, with Albion second with 34 points from 15 matches and Wanderers are third with 32 points from 14 matches.
In the second division, French Kiss drew 1-all with Boca Seniors, IES were 2-1 winners against University, KCC Knights won 1-nil against WYFC06, Azzurri drew 2-all with GGFC, and the Store House Hearts were 1-nil victors over Antonhill.

French kiss lead the table with 34 points from 15 matches, with KCC Knights second with 31 points from 14 matches.

In the third division, Dynamo were 4-nil victors over HKUSA, Green Cypress FC were beaten 4-2 by White Youth, ANP were 1-nil winners against CSOB, Yan Po drew 2-all with Goal Visio, HOB were 1-nil victors over CAPS, and Grasshoppers won 1-nil against HKSS.

Dynamo lead the division with 37 points from 16 matches, ANP second with 36 points from the same matches, and Yan Po third with 30 points from the same matches.

In the fourth division, Power 22 were 2-1 victors over Rising Sun, Friends of Barclays were 2-1 winners against Skyline, Standard Chartered were beaten 3-nil by WYFC84, Darts won 3-1 against Scorpions, Maccabi HK were 6-nil victors over Bapcoll, and Outward Bound won 3-1 against Hung Art.

Maccabi HK lead the division with 43 points from 16 matches, with Friends of Barclays second with 39 points from the same matches.

Allan Jackson has been involved in soccer for more than 40 years as a player, referee, administrator and freelance writer.