In a thrilling Kwoon Chung Bus 60th Anniversary FA Cup quarter-final clash at Sham Shui Po Sports Ground on Sunday (March 2), Eastern secured their spot in the semifinals with a commanding 3:1 triumph over Kowloon City.

Eastern asserted their dominance from the opening whistle. In the 7th minute, Baffoe Noah showcased his technical prowess, weaving through defenders on the left flank before unleashing a close-range effort that was parried by the goalkeeper. The resulting loose ball found Marcos Gondra, whose thunderous left-footed drive took a deflection off a defender for a corner.

Eastern's persistent pressure paid dividends in the 21st minute when Baffoe Noah rose majestically to meet Clement Benhaddouche's precision cross, following Felipe Alexandre's ingenious through ball down the right channel, nodding home to break the deadlock.

The lead was doubled just four minutes later through a brilliant piece of anticipation from Marcos Gondra, who dispossessed the opposition in their own half. The ball fell to the in-form Baffoe Noah, who demonstrated his clinical finishing from the edge of the area, completing his brace.

Kowloon City showed glimpses of threat before the interval, with Kayron Ramos creating space for himself before unleashing a powerful long-range effort that forced the goalkeeper into a spectacular save.

The first half concluded with Eastern firmly in control, leading 2:0.

After the restart, Eastern continued their offensive onslaught. Their superiority was further rewarded in the 48th minute when Baffoe Noah turned provider, delivering an inch-perfect cross from the left wing for Felipe Alexandre to dispatch clinically, extending their advantage to three.

Despite facing a significant deficit, Kowloon City showed admirable resilience. After Chiu Wan Chun's speculative effort from range sailed over, they found a consolation in the 66th minute. Lam Hok Hei's intelligent ball into the danger zone was met by Kayron Ramos, who showed excellent composure to slot home with his left foot, reducing the deficit to 1:3.

Eastern continued to create chances at will, with Baffoe Noah penetrating the defense only to be denied by an outstanding save from the goalkeeper. The subsequent rebound fell to Felipe Alexandre, whose goal-bound effort was heroically cleared off the line by the alert Kang Junhyeon.

The attacking masterclass continued as Baffoe Noah found himself clean through on goal once more, but his effort whispered past the upright, keeping Kowloon City's faint hopes alive.

In the dying moments, Kowloon City mounted one final assault, with Abdoulaye Sane latching onto Yang Chao Jing's defense-splitting pass, but his effort drifted agonizingly wide of the target.

Eastern managed the closing stages to preserve their 3:1 victory, securing their passage to the FA Cup semifinals.

Eastern 3:1 Kowloon City