HONG KONG—Two HKFA League Cup Group A matches were played on Saturday (Dec 19), the first being Kwoon Chung Southern facing off at Mongkok Stadium, whilst South China took on Glory Sky Wong Tai Sin at Kowloon Bay Park.
Saturday’s first game between Kwoon Chung Southern and Kitchee saw the former take the early lead, only for Kitchee to fire back to win the game convincingly. James Ha opened the scoring for Kwoon Chung Southern in the 22nd minute when finishing from Chan Cham-hei’s cross.
Kitchee equalised in the 57th minute when Alexander Akande finished off Fernando Pedreira’s cross, took the lead in the 68th minute when Fernando Pedreira scored with a curling free kick, extended their lead in the 84th minute through Daniel Cancela, and settled the convincing 4-1 victory when Sham Kwok-keung scored in stoppage time
In Saturday’s other Group A game, South China ended up defeating Glory Sky Wong Tai Sin 4-1. South China took the lead in the 15th minute when Lam Hok-hei scored, and doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Manoel Santos headed in Lai Yiu-cheung’s free kick, before Glroy Sky Wong Tai Sin pulled a goal back in the 31st minute when Yeung Chi-lun headed in.
However, South China restored their 2 goal advantage in the 39th minute when Andrew Russell scored a powerful header from Lai Yiu-cheong’s cross, and then sealed the 4-1 win with a goal by Lucas Da Silva in the 53rd minute.
With one round of matches remaining, Kitchee top group A with 9-points, having won all 3 games to date and meet fourth placed Dreams Metro as their final opponent. South China are in second place on 6-points but have a ‘winner takes all’ clash with Kwoon Chung Southern to come, but with the latter having to win whilst South China can progress with a draw.
BC Rangers are currently top of Group B with 6-points and need at least a draw in their final group game with Hong Kong Pegasus, to be sure of finishing in the top spot. Eastern and Hong Kong Pegasus are currently level on 3-points and lying in 2nd and 3rd places respectively on goal difference. With one match to play. Eastern will meet bottom of the table Yuen Long while Hong Kong Pegasus play the current group leaders, so Eastern seem to have the better chance of making the playoffs.
The last round of group matches are scheduled for Feb 13 and 14, with the final stages taking place March 19-20 and April 9, 2016.
Yau Yee League
The Yau Yee League takes a break until the New Year.
Allan Jackson has been involved in soccer for more than 40 years as a player, referee, administrator and freelance writer.
