In a round of upsets, South China suffered a major blow in the Hong Kong Football Association’s RedMR 1st Division League chase after going down to Yokohama FC Hong Kong 1-0 at the Sui Sui Wan Sports ground in Hong Kong. The loss sets up what could be a title deciding match when Kitchee host South China this weekend.
The South China vs Yokohama FC on March 30 match was originally abandoned, due to bad weather conditions, forcing organisers to reschedule the match for Thursday April 4.
Yokohama FC dominated earlier against their physically-imposing opponent starting the match like a house on fire, putting South China under immense pressure and getting the home crowd excited right from the outset.
Talented Japanese striker, Tsuyoshi Yoshitake got a pass from Leung Kwen Chun and scored the only goal of the match 1-0 in the first 13 minutes of the game.
South China had a chance of equalising the score in the first half, but a great save by Goalkeeper Tsang Man-Fai prevented them from succeeding.
Another two close calls by South China’s midfielder Carlos Bertoldi in the second half were foiled; firstly, when a header hit the cross bar and secondly, when a close range strike in Yokohama FC’s territory was cleared by defender Law Chung-Pong.
Yokohama happily continued to frustrate South China FC until the final whistle was blown to take the victory.
This win puts Yokohama FC in 6th place and out of relegation territory (on 18 points), followed by Sun Pegasus (16), Citizen (15) and Wofoo Tai Po (15), with Sunray Cave Sun Hei (13) in danger of finishing last.
Ladder leaders South China needs to concentrate on their game plan as second-placed Kitchee FC is breathing down their necks with two games left to play. Likewise, Kitchee let themselves down in their match against Sunray Cave JC Sun Hei.
In another surprising result,reigning champions, Kitchee drew 1-all to 10th-placed Sunray Cave JC Sun Hei on Friday March 29. Despite drawing in a match they were expected to win comfortably, Kitchee remain safely in second place with a 10-point buffer over Tuen Mun.
Other results
Other unexpected results in Round 15 played across the past fortnight confirm that there is still a lot yet to be decided in the relegation challenge as well, with the season entering its final stages.
With the three bottom teams relegated each year in the league, the day belonged to the Citizen AA side—who are facing relegation—with a spectacular 5-0 win against Tuen Mun on Friday March 29 at the Tseung Kwan O Stadium. Dramatic scenes ensued as the eighth placed Citizen AA’s thrashed the third-placed team, leaving the home crowd astounded with Tuen Mun’s performance.
The mighty Southern overmastered the BC Rangers with a 3-1 victory on March 30.
Wofoo Tai Po and Sun Pegasus drew 2-all and battled it out on a rain soaked-pitch on Sunday March 31.
This week
South China will meet Kitchee FC in a top of the table clash this Saturday (April 14) at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. It promises to be a very exciting game—perhaps the best of the season with everything on the line.
Vincent P. Potgieter is a sports writer from South Africa based in Hong Kong.
