HONG KONG—This weekend saw another round of the BOC Life HKFA Premier league matches between Hong Kong Pegasus and R&F at Hongkong Stadium on Friday (Sept 30), Saturday’s (Oct 1) games between Wo Foo Tai Po and Kwoon Chung Southern at Tai Po Sports Ground, and Lee Man Rangers against Kitchee, at Tsing Yi Sports Ground, and Sunday’s (Oct 2) games between BC Glory Sky and HKFC at Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground, and Eatstern Long Lions and South China at Mongkok Stadium.
In Friday’s game (Sept 30) at Hong Kong Stadium, R&F picked up their first points of the season with a 2-1 victory over Hong Kong Pegasus. Hong Kong Pegasus took the lead in the 15th minute when Dhiego Martins lobbed goalkeeper Long Wenhao, but R&F struck back in the 30th minute when Yan Ting converted a penalty past goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski, after the latter had been penalised for a foul, and headed into the half time break at 1-all. R&F wrapped up the points with a second goal in the 52nd minute when after Ni Bo’s cross, the ball was controlled by Li Le who’s shot was then diverted into the net by Xiang Jiachi. The win and 3 points moves R&F out of the relegation fight for now.
In Saturday’s (Oct 1) game at Tai Po Sports Ground, the game ended in a scoreless draw as neither Wo Foo Tai Po nor Kwoon Chung Southern could find the net.
The later game, a one sided encounter ended with Kitchee retaining their 100% record courtesy of an Alessandro Leonardo goal, scored in the 15th minute when Matthew Lam’s cross was initially missed by Rufino Segovia at the near post before Leonardo converted his chance.
Kitchee’s win puts early pressure on Eastern Long Lions and South China who met on Sunday.
In Sunday’s (Oct 2) first game, HKFC recorded their first win and points of the season with a come from behind win over BC Glory Sky to move out of the relegation places.
BC Glory Sky took an early lead in the 7th minute when Yeung Chi-lun swept the ball home after centre forward Raul Fabiani had headed down a long ball inside the penalty box. After HKFC’s Max Poon had cleared off of the goal line from Fabiani, and HKFC’s Mcgurgan and Daniel Man had spurned chances, HKFC equalised in the 32nd minute when Robbie Bacon headed home after Rob Scott’s left wing cross had hit the bar. BC Glory Sky re-took the lead in the 77th minute when Yeung Chi-lun,found by Lau Tsz –yin, drove the ball past goalkeeper Issey Maholo into the HKFC net for a 2-1 lead. However, HKFC struck back quickly in the latter stages of the game with a brace from Michael Hampshire, the first being an 82nd minute flick over goalkeeper Sin Leong, and the second a 90th minute finish from a Daniel Man free kick. The win takes HKFC out of the relegation zone, leaving Lee Man Rangers and Kwoon Chung Southern in those places, though having played fewer games.
In the day’s other game, between title contenders Eastern Long Lions and South China, the final result was a 2-all draw, which was of most help to pace setters Kitchee. Eastern Long Lions opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Manuel Rodriguex converted the rebound after Leung Chun-pong’s shot had been stopped following Cheung King-ho’s cross. South China equalised in the 56th minute when Nicola Komazec finished Awal Mahama’s cross. In a hectic finish, Lee Hong-hai restored Eastern Long Lions’ lead after James Mckee’s shot had been cleared in the 89th minute, but South China secured a share of the points when Lo Kong-wai finished a cross in the 93rd minute.
Kitchee have 12 points from 4 matches with Eastern Long Lions and South China each with 7 points from 3 games,
In the round of first division matches Metro Gallery drew 1-all with Resource Capital FC, Double Flower drew 1–all with Kwai Tsing, Easyknit Property were 4-nil victors over Wanchai, Citizen were 3–nil winners against Eastern District, Sun Hei won 6-nil against Yau Tsim Mong, Shatin were 4-nil victors over Tung Sing, and Wong Tai Sin were 3-2 winers against Kwai Tsing..
Easyknit Property and Sun Hei head the early table with 10 points each from 4 matches.
In the second division, Hoi King drew 1-all with Tuen Mun, Lucky Mile were 3-nil winners against Kwong Wah, Kowloon City were 2-nil victors over Sai Kung, Sparta Rotterdam Mutual won 4-nil against Sham Shui Po, Central & Western were 1-nil victors over Tuen Mun FC, and Kwok Keung Linkers ONC were defeated 1-nil by HKU CXSC Sun Source.
Tuen Mun and Hoi King are the early table leaders with 7 points from their 3 games.
In the round of third division games, Leaper St Josephs were beaten 2-1 by Ornament, Happy Valley were 4-1 victors over GFC Friends, New Fair Kui Tan were 7-nil winners against King Mountain, V Sports drew 1-all with Tsuen Wan, Islands won 4-nil against Telecom,, KCDRSC were 1-nil victors over Fukien, and Wing Go Fu Moon were 6-2 winners against Northern District.
In the early table, Happy Valley lead with 13 points from 5 matches.
Yau Yee League
In the third round of first division matches, Wanderers were 2-1 victors over French Kiss, Squadron were 3-2 winners against Swiss XI, KCC Dragons won 2-nil against Colloids FC, Colts handed reigning champions GAS their first defeat of the season with a 3-2 victory, and Baker Tilly Spartans were 2-nil winners against KCC Knights.
Wanderers lead the table with 9 points from 3 matches as the only team with a 100% record, with Colts second with 7 points from the same games.
In the second division, ANP drew 1-all with Hearts, GGFC were 4-nil winners against CSOB, Dynamo won 2-nil against Grasshoppers, Azzurri were 3- nil victors over White Youth FC, and WYFC06 were 3-nil winners against Cannegies Boca Seniors. IES and HKU70’s was postponed
Azzurri are league leaders with 7 points from 3 matches with 5 points from 6 matches..
In the third division, Goal Visio were 3-2 victors over Darts, Maccabi HK were 2-nil winners against Yan Po, University won 2-1 against Outward Bound, HKSS were 4-2 victors over Friends of Barclays, Antonhill drew 1-all with HOB, and Power 22 were 3-1winners against Scorpions.
Maccabi HK head the table with 9 points from 3matches, with HOB and Antonhill with 7 points from the same games.
In the fourth division, Standard Chartered were beaten 4-2 by WYFC84, BOC were 2-nil victors over Ghurkha International, Hung Art drew 2-all with Skyline, Bapcoll drew 1-all with CAPS, and Corinthians won 3-2 against Rising Sun.
Green Cypress FC lead table with Corinthians, both with 6 points but the former from 2 matches against the latter’s 3.
Allan Jackson has been involved in soccer for more than 40 years as a player, referee, administrator and freelance writer.
