HONG KONG—Two fixtures were played in Group A and B of the HKFA League Cup last weekend. On Saturday Feb 13, Kwoon Chung Southern played South China in Group A, at Sham Shui Po Sports ground, and Eastern and Yuen Long played their Group B match at Tsing Yi Sports Ground.
On Sunday Feb 14, Kitchee took on Dreams Metro Gallery in Group A at Sham Shui Po Sports Ground, and in Group B Hong Kong Pegasus met BC Rangers at Tsing Yi Sports Ground.
South China opened the scoring in the 21st minute in their match with Kwoon Chung Southern when Felix Borja headed in Che Runqui’s cross after he was released by a ball from Carlos Vieira. South China extended their lead in the 77th minute when Ryan Griffiths finished after Awal Mahama’s cross was not cleared by the Kwoon Chung Southern defence, and completed the scoring in the 84th minute when Ryan Griffiths put Lian Zicheng through to run on and fire home for a 3-nil victory.
In Saturday’s other game, Eastern were 3-1 winners against Yuen Long. After a scoreless first half, Eastern opened the scoring in the 50th minute when Roberto Affonso finished after Tsang Chi-hau’s diving header from Wong Chun-hung’s free kick was blocked. Eastern doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Xu Deshuai’s pass found Andrew Barisic, who then crossed for Giovane Da Silva to score. Yuen Long reduced the deficit in the 80th minute when Gustavo Da Silva finished after Luciano Da Silva had headed on Ip Chung-long’s corner, but Eastern put the game to bed in stoppage time when Giovane Da Silva scored his second for a 3-1 win.
In Sunday’s Group A game, Kitchee ran out 3-nil winners over Dreams Metro Gallery courtesy of Rufino Sgvovia’s 48th minute shot past goalkeeper To Chun-kiu, a second in the 62nd minute from Jorge Tarres after being fed by Rufino Sgvovia, and a 66th minute penalty converted by Jorge Tarres for his brace after Rufino Sgvovia had been brought down in the penalty area.
In the day’s Group B game, Hong Kong Pegasus drew 1-all with BC Rangers, Hong Kong Pegasus taking the lead in the 21st minute when Eduardo Praes headed in Joao Pereira’s corner kick, and BC Rangers replying in the 39th minute when Tommy Chuck headed past goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski from Hui Ka-lok’s cross. The draw was sufficient for BC Rangers to progress as top of Group B.
Kitchee advance to the semi finals as winners of Group A, with South China in second place, whilst BC Rangers enter the semi finals as winners of Group B, with Eastern advancing as the second placed team.
In the first division, Yau Tsim Mong were 8-1 victors over Lucky Mile, Shatin were 2-1 winners against Kwun Tong, Metro Gallery Sun Source won 4-2 against Double Flower, Citizen were 3-1 victors over Wanchai, Tai Po were 2-nil winners against Tai Chung, Sun Hei won 3-1 against Kwai Tsing, and HKFC won 4-1 against Easyknit Property.
In the game at Sports Road, HKFC took a 2-nil lead courtesy of a brace form Rob Scott before Easykint Property reduced the deficit by pulling a goal back. With Easyknit Property looking to press for an equaliser, HKFC were the beneficiaries of a very fortuitous penalty decision with 15 minutes to play, which also saw an Easyknit property defender shown a red card for dissent. Rob Scott stepped up in place of usual penalty taker Michael Campion, and placed the ball into the right hand corner of the net to secure his hat-trick. Frederick Schipper added a fourth for HKFC 5 minutes later, blasting the ball into the roof of the net to seal a 4-1 victory
Tai Po lead the table with 37 points, with HKFC second with 33 points, Citizen are third with 32 points all from 15 games, Sun Hei are fourth with 29 points from 14 matches, and Yau Tsim Mong fifth with 28 points from 13 matches.
In the third division Hoi King were 2-nil victors over Islands, Rex Global North District were 4-nil winners over Ornament, King Mountain won 5-4 against Telecom, Central & Western were 5-1 victors over Fukien, KCC were 2-1 winners against KCDRSC, Wing Go Fu Moon won 3-1 against HKFYG, Sun International were 1-nil victors over GFC Friends, and St Joseph’s drew 1-all with New Fair Kui Tan.
Hoi King lead the table with 46 points from 17 matches, with Central & Western second with 46 points from the same number of games.
Yau Yee League
There were no matches this weekend, league rounds restart next week Sunday 21 February.
Allan Jackson has been involved in soccer for more than 40 years as a player, referee, administrator and freelance writer.
