Tai Po met up with HK U23 in Tai Po Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon for the JC Sapling Cup Group A fixture. Tai Po beat HK U23 by 4:0
The HK U23 team launched an array of attacks in the early stages of the game. In the 4th minute, Lee Lok Him delivered a pinpoint corner from the right flank, but Alexandre Dujardin's headed effort narrowly missed the mark amidst a crowded penalty area. Two minutes later, Kwok Tsz Kaai tried his luck with a long-range strike from outside the box, but his shot lacked the necessary power and was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper.
After weathering the storm, Tai Po gradually seized control of proceedings. It was in the 22nd minute that they broke the deadlock. Cheung Lik Hang embarked on a dazzling run down the left wing, cutting into the penalty area before laying the ball off to Bitencort Da Silva stationed just outside the box. Bitencort Da Silva unleashed a powerful left-footed strike that soared into the far corner of the net, giving Tai Po a well-deserved 1:0 lead.
Buoyed by their advantage, Tai Po further extended their lead in the 44th minute. Lucas Da Silva, alert to a precise through pass from Michel Renner, burst into the penalty area and, despite facing intense defensive pressure, managed to angle his shot perfectly to make it 2:0.
Tai Po continued to dominate proceedings in the latter stages of the first half. However, an incisive close-range finish by Estevez Tsai off a right-wing cross from Lucas Da Silva was disallowed due to an offside infringement. Nevertheless, Tai Po headed into halftime with a comfortable 2:0 advantage.
The second half witnessed Tai Po's relentless pressure on their opponents. In the 58th minute, a corner kick from the right side by Bitencort Da Silva was initially cleared by the opposition, only for Lucas Da Silva to deliver a pinpoint cross from the left wing into the penalty area. Marcos Dos Santos, displaying exquisite control, hammered a shot towards the far post, securing a commanding 3:0 lead for Tai Po.
Tai Po's dominance continued to manifest as the clock ticked towards the 61st minute. A pinpoint pass from Michel Renner into the penalty area caused a defensive mishap from the HK U23's Leung Wai Fung Derek, allowing Lucas Da Silva to pounce on the loose ball and thunder a right-footed strike into the net, completing his brace and further stretching Tai Po's lead to an insurmountable 4:0.
In the 77th minute, Tai Po came agonizingly close to adding to their tally, as a thunderous 30-yard free-kick from Bitencort Da Silva was acrobatically parried away by the goalkeeper. Finally, Tai Po emerged triumphant with an emphatic 4:0 victory over the HK U23 team, securing a well-deserved three points.