HONG KONG—The new Premier League started the process of getting the league back to normal with the first full round of matches for this season last weekend Oct 18-19. Saturday’s games saw Eastern play YFC MD at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, whilst Sun Pegasus played BC Rangers at Tai Po Sports Ground.
In the game at Tseung Kwan O, YFCMD took an early lead in the 5th minute when Kenji Fukuda converted Fernando Pedreira’s cross for a one-nil lead which they held until half time despite both sides having chances to score. Eastern equalised in the 49th minute when Giovane Da Silva curled the ball into the top corner of the net and, despite both sides having further chances in the remainder of the game, the scores were tied 1-all at full time.
In the game at Tai Po, Sun Pegasus opened the scoring in the 9th minute when Chan Man-fai chipped into the net after receiving a through ball from Chan Pak-hang.
Sun Pegasus doubled their advantage in the 29th minute when Sham Kwok-keung fired home for a 2-nil lead which they held until half time.
Sun Pegasus went 3 up in the 53rd minute when Admir Rascic curled a left foot shot from the edge of the box into the net.
Sun Pegasus extended their lead to four in the 61st minute when Chan Man-fai headed home the rebound after Shum Kwok-keung’s shot from Admir Rascic’s cross was pushed out by BC Rangers goalkeeper Gok Siu-leong.
BC Rangers pulled a goal back in the 68th minute when Cheung Siu-kwan headed in after a misplaced pass from Dario Damjanovic. However, Sun Pegasus restored their four goal advantage immediately in the 69th minute when Chan Pak-hang fired home after receiving the ball from Aleksander Randelovic.
Sun Pegasus now head the table with the maximum of 12 points from their 4 matches in the season so far. This starts to apply some pressure to the other expected challengers for the title who will need to win their games in hand to stay with Sun Pegasus.
In Sunday’s early game at Tai Po Sports Ground, Wofoo Tai Po took on fellow promoted Club Wong Tai Sin. Wofoo Tai Po took the lead in the 3rd minute when Chen Jingde finished from a long ball from Lui Chi-hing which wasn’t dealt with by Wong Tai Sin goalkeeper Cheung Wai-hong and defender Su Yang, a lead that they retained to half time.
Wong Tai Sin equalised in the 49th minute when Mauricio da Luz headed in after Alessandro Leonardohad headed on MarkoTeodorovic’s cross. Wong Tai Sin took the lead in the 59th minute when Wong Chui-hin finished after Tomas Maronesi headed on Marko Teodorovic’s free kick.
Wofoo Tai Po equalised on the 73rd minute when Vincent Weijl scored direct from a free kick from just outside the penalty box.
Wong Tai Sin retook the lead after 76 minutes when Lai Yeu-cheong’s cross was defected past goalkeeper Liang Yuhao. Despite chances to both sides in subsequent play, Wong Tai Sin claimed their first victory and points of the season, leaving Wofoo Tai Po at the bottom of the division having played the most games of the season so far.
In another afternoon game, Kitchee took on I-Sky Yuen Long at Mong Kok, trying to catch up one of their games in hand on current leaders Sun Pegasus.
I-Sky Yuen Long took the lead in the 17th minute when Cheng King-ho converted the rebound after Wang Zhenpang had saved Wellingsson De Souza’s header. Kitchee equalised in the 34th minute when Jorge Tarres headed in from Xu Deshuai’s cross, and the scores remained level until half time. Kitchee took the lead in the 79th minute when Xu Deshuai finished after Lo Kwan-yee had headed on Chen Kin-fung’s cross. Kitchee held on for their second win of the season and are now 6 points behind current leader’s Sun Pegasus with 2 games in hand, both sides currently boasting 100 per cent records.
Other HKFA Divisions
In the weekend’s first division games, HKFC won Saturday night’s encounter with prior league leaders Shatin at Sports Road 3-1, whilst in Sunday’s games, Kwai Tsing drew 3-all with Southern, Citizen were defeated 2-3 by Wanchai, Double Flower were 2-nil victors over Kwun Tong, Sun Hei were beaten 3-4 by Yau Tsim Mong, Happy Valley prevailed 2-1 against Tuen Mun, and Metro Gallery Sun Source defeated Lucky Mile 4-nil. Metro Gallery Sun Source now lead the table on 17 points, with Shatin second on 16 points, and HKFC and Yau Tsim Mong are in joint third place on 14 points, but Yau Tsim Mong have a game in hand on the other 3 leading sides.
In the second division, Kowloon City were 4-2 victors over Sham Shui Po, New Fair Kuitan were defeated 12-nil by Wing Yee, Eastern District won 4-nil over Fire Services, Sai Kung were 8-1 victors over Kwok Keung, and Kwong Wah and Tsuen Wan drew 1-all. Wing Yee now lead the table on 15 points followed by Mutual on 12 points, with Eastern District and Sham Shui Po joint third on 10 points.
In the third division, GFC Friends were beaten 3-nil by Central and Western, King Mountain drew 1-all with Rainbow Legend North District, Tung Sing won 3-2 against Lung Moon, Telecom won 5-nil against Ornament, KCDRSC were beaten 2-nil by St Joseph’s, and Fukien were 4-1 winners over KCC. Tung Sing lead the table with 21 points and a 100 per cent records, with Central and Western second 19 points, and GFC Friends third on 18 points.
Yau Yee League
In first division games, The Store House Squadron won 3-2 against GAS, Baker Tilly Spartans were beaten 3-1 by Swiss XI, Corinthians were 4-3 victors over French Kiss, Wanderers won 3-1 against Boca Seniors, USRC were 1-nil victors over KCC Dragons, and Albion were 1-nil victors over Colts. Albion lead the table on 15 points, with USRC and Wanderers joint second on 14 points, with KCC Dragons fourth on 13 points.
In division 2, Interglobo Colloids won 2-nil against HKU70’s, KCC Knights won 3-2 over Antonhill, Azzurri won 4-nil over CS Old Boys, SFALO Oxford were beaten 3-2 by The Store House Hearts, HKDC Mobsters were 6-2 victors over GGFC, and WYFC06 were 2-nil victors over ANP. Azzurri lead the table on 15 points, with HKDC Mobsters and HKU70’s tied for second on 13 points, with Interglobo Colloids third on 10 points.
In division 3, HKUSA drew 0-all with CAPS, White Youth beat Dynamo 2-nil, Yan Po drew 1-all with Green Cypress FC, University won 5-nil over Scorpions, Goal Visio were 4-nil victors over Darts, and HOB were beaten 2-4 by IES. IES lead the table unbeaten on 16 points, followed by University on 14 points.
In division 4, Bapcoll were beaten 2-1 by Rising Sun, Friends of Barclays drew 1-all with WYFC84, HKSS were 2-1 victors over Hung Art, Standard Chartered were beaten 4-2 by Youth Coaches, and Skyline drew 1-all with Grasshoppers. HKSS lead the table on 15 points, with Power 22 second also on 15 points but with a game in hand.
Allan Jackson has been involved in Soccer for more than 40 years as a player, referee, administrator and freelance writer.
