Lee Man met up with Eastern in Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon for the 2024-25 Boc Life Hong Kong Premier League clash. Eastern beat Lee Man by 2:1.

Eastern started on the front foot, with Calum Hall unleashing a long-range effort in the 10th minute following Yu Joy Yin Jesse's pass, but the shot sailed over the crossbar.

Lee Man threatened in the 19th minute when Henri Anier intercepted a pass and played Mtichel Paulissen through on goal. The latter found the net, but the linesman's flag was up for offside, ruling out the goal.

Eastern broke the deadlock in the 21st minute. Li Ngai Hoi's attempted chest pass back to his keeper went awry, allowing Ma Hei Wai to pounce and slot home, putting Eastern 1:0 up.

Lee Man came close to equalizing in the 26th minute. Ngan Lok Fung's through ball found Henri Anier, whose powerful drive from a tight angle rattled the side netting. Eastern took their 1:0 lead into the break.

Lee Man came out firing in the second half. In the 48th minute, Samuel Rosa's attempt was blocked, followed by Mitchel Paulissen's effort off Cheng Siu Kwan's feed that flashed just wide.

Lee Man's persistence paid dividends in the 58th minute. Samuel Rosa was brought down in the box by Tamirlan Kozubaev, and after a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot. Mitchel Paulissen stepped up and coolly converted the penalty, leveling the score at 1:1.

Eastern regained the lead just 6 minutes later. Marcos Gondra's free-kick from the edge of the area took a wicked deflection off Henri Anier and nestled in the net, putting Eastern 2:1 ahead.

Lee Man pressed for an equalizer, with Mitchel Paulissen forcing a block from a defender in the 79th minute after latching onto Kim Minkyu's pass.

In the 85th minute, Samuel Rosa met Wong Chun Ho's cross from the right with a header, but it drifted wide of the target.

Lee Man's golden opportunity came in the 89th minute when Mitchel Paulissen's header from Chang Hei Yin's corner was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper.

In stoppage time, Mitchel Paulissen whipped in a corner from the left, with Samuel Rosa's header in a crowded box cleared off the line by Tamirlan Kozubaev. Moments later, Chang Hei Yin's thunderbolt from the edge of the area whistled just wide.

Eastern held on to their slender 2:1 advantage until the final whistle, clinching a hard-fought victory over Lee Man and securing maximum points.

Lee Man 1:2 Eastern