There were four HKFA FA Cup quarter finals played this weekend, Eastern playing Yuen Long at Mongkok Stadium, Dreams Metro Gallery opposing BC Rangers at Tsing Yi Sports Ground, South China facing Hong Kong Pegasus at Mongkok Stadium, and Kitchee tackling Kwoon Chung Southern at Tsing Yi Sports Ground. The games ended with a reversal of the established order with a number of the leading teams falling in the unpredictable knock out format.
In Saturday’s (Apr 16) first game, Yuen Long surprised Eastern with a 1-nil victory courtesy of a strike from Luciano Da Silva in the 19th minute after Eastern goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai had saved Aleksander Randelovic’s shot from Ip Chung-Long’s free kick. Despite the time remaining Eastern could find no way back.
In the day’s later game BC Rangers prevailed 5-2 against Dreams Metro Gallery despite conceding an early 22nd minute strike from Kenji Fukuda. BC Rangers equalised in the 44th minute when Tommy Chuk scored from the penalty spot after he was brought down. BC Rangers took the lead in the 50th minute through a Diego Folgar strike, whilst Tommy Chuk increased the lead to 3-1 in the 71st minute with his second. Quentin Lendresse increased the lead to 4-1 in the 87th minute, and goals from Hui Ka-lok for BC Rangers and Leonidas Soares for Dreams Metro Gallery in the final minutes resulted in the 5-2 BC Rangers victory.
In Sunday’s (Apr 17) first game Hong Kong Pegasus upset South China, taking a 32nd minute lead through an Admir Adrovic penalty kick. Although South China equalised in the 40th minute courtesy of a Lam Hok-hei strike, Hong Kong Pegasus quickly re-asserted themselves in the second half with a 49th minute goal from Jaimes Mckee, and a 57th minute header from Leung Kwun-chung following Lee Ka-iyiu’s cross, and ended the game 3-1 winners.
In the day’s other game Kwoon Chung Southern knocked out Kitchee. Kwoon Chung Southern took the lead in the 36 minute when Wellingsson Da Souza released Jonathan Carrill who advanced into the box before rifling the ball into the net. Kwoon Chung Southern doubled their lead in the 82nd minute when Michael Luk fired a free kick past Kitchee goalkeeper Wang Zhenpeng and, despite an 89th minute goal from Kitchee’s Rufino Sgovia, held on for the win.
In the first division, Shatin were 4-1 victors over Wanchai, Double Flower were 4-1 winners against Tai Chung, Yau Tsim Mong won 2-1 against Citizen, Tai Po drew 1-all with Kwun Tong, Easyknit Property were 3-1 victors over Sun Hei, Kwai Tsing drew 3-all with Metro Gallery Sun Source, and HKFC were 2-nil winners against Lucky Mile.
Tai Po lead the table with 56 points from 23 matches, with HKFC second with 50 points from the same games, and Sun Hei third with 46 points from 22 games. With 3 or 4 matches remaining, Tai Po look to be likely champions, with second place a fight between HKFC and Sun Hei.
In the second division, Eastern District were 1-nil victors over Sai Kung, Kwok Keung drew nil-all with Happy Valley, Kowloon City were 1-nil winners against Tsuen Wan, Kwong Wah won 4-1 against Tuen Mun, Sham Shui Po were 2-1 victors over Sparta Rotterdam Mutual, and Tung Sing were 3-2 winners against Tuen Mun FC.
Eastern District lead the division with 43 points from 19 matches, with Tung Sing second on 42 points from the same games, and Sparta Rotterdam Mutual third with 38 points from the same matches, with the top two likely to hold the promotion places with only 3 games reamaining.
In the third division KCDRSC were 3-2 victors over Islands, GFC Friends were 7-nil winners against King Mountain, Fukien won 2-nil against New Fair Kui Tan, St Josephs were 2-nil victors over Sun International, Central & Western were 5-nil winners against Ornament, KCC won 5-1 against HKFYG, Hoi King were 4-2 victors over Telecom, and Rex Global North District won 2-1 against Wing Go Fu Moon.
Central & Western lead the table with 71 points from 26 matches, with Hoi King second with 66 points from 25 games, and claim the promotion places at season’s end.
Yau Yee League
In the first division GAS won the top of the table clash with Albion 2-1 to claim the Yau Yee League Championship, Wanderers prevailed 2-1 in the Sports Road derby against Colts, USRC were 4-nil winners against Baker Tilly Spartans, KCC Dragons drew 2-all with HKDC Mobsters, and Swiss XI were 6-nil victors over HKU70’s.
GAS won the division with 50 points from 19 games with one game remaining, with Wanderers second with 44 points from the same games, and Albion third on 41 points from the same games.
In the second division, Antonhill were 2-1 victors over Boca Seniors, GGFC were 2-nil winners against WYFC06, French Kiss won 5-nil against IES, Azzurri were 5-1 victors over Colloids FC, and KCC Knights were 4-2 winners against University.
French Kiss lead the division with 47 points from 20 matches, with KCC Knights second with 43 points from 19 matches, with the promotion places claimed and only the championship to be decided between the two.
In the third division, Yan Po drew with HOB, CSOB were 1-nil victors over Grasshoppers, Goal Visio were 4-3 winners against HKSS, White Youth FC won 6-1 against CAPS, ANP were 2-1 victors over Dynamo, and HKUSA were 1-nil winners against Green Cypress FC.
ANP lead the division with 51 points from 21 games to clinch the championship with one game remaining, with Dynamo second with 46 points from the same games.
In the fourth division, Rising Sun were 4-2 victors over Darts, Power 22 drew 1-all with Standard Chartered, Outward Bound won 4-3 against Friends of Barclays, WYFC84 drew 1-all with Skyline, Maccabi HK were 3-nil victors over Hung Art, and Scorpions drew 1-all with Bapcoll.
Maccabi HK lead the division with 58 points from 21 matches to win the championship, with Friends of Barclays second with 49 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.
