Kowloon City hosted Kwoon Chung Southern at Sham Shui Po Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon (20th October) for the BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League fixture. Kowloon City beat Kwoon Chung Southern by 2:1.

The match kicked off with Kwoon Chung Southern threatening early, as Sasaki Shu’s pinpoint cross from the right flank found Raphael Merkies, whose glancing header narrowly missed the target in the 15th minute.

However, it was Kowloon City who drew first blood. In the 20th minute, Yu Pui Hong's through ball found the surging Lee Keun Ho, whose thunderous strike from inside the box was initially parried by the keeper. Ho Lung Ho pounced on the rebound, squaring it back to Lee Keun Ho, who made no mistake from close range, putting Kowloon City 1:0 up.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 27th minute when Lam Hok Hei's inch-perfect free-kick was met by Kayron Ramos, who powered his header home to make it 2:0.

Facing a two-goal deficit, Kwoon Chung Southern mounted a comeback. Chan Yun Tung's long throw into the danger zone was flicked on by Gregory Rocha, but Raphael Merkies couldn't capitalize, firing wide from a promising position. The first half ended with Kowloon City holding a comfortable 2:0 lead.

After the break, Kwoon Chung Southern came out all guns blazing. In the 54th minute, Chan Yun Tung whipped in a cross from the right, finding Jackson Franklim at the far post, but his acrobatic volley failed to trouble the keeper.

The visitors continued to pile on the pressure, with Wong Ho Yin delivering a teasing cross that Stefan Pereira’s met with a fierce drive, only to be denied by a brilliant save from the Kowloon City goalkeeper.

Kwoon Chung Southern thought they had found a lifeline in the 85th minute when Jackson Franklin’s set-piece delivery was turned in by Stefan Pereira, but their celebrations were cut short as the linesman's flag was raised for offside.

However, their persistence paid off a minute later. Stefan Pereira’s cross caused havoc in the Kowloon City box, with keeper Yuen Ho Chun spilling the ball into the path of the opportunistic Gregory Rocha, who slotted home to set up a grandstand finish at 1:2.

In a frantic finale, both sides had chances to alter the scoreline. Kwoon Chung Southern's Jackson Franklin saw his header expertly saved, while Kowloon City's Nilton Rodrigues unleashed a venomous drive that the goalkeeper did well to parry away.

Despite a late onslaught from Kwoon Chung Southern, Kowloon City held firm to clinch a hard-fought 2:1 victory, securing a crucial three points in their Premier League campaign.

Kowloon City 2:1 Kwoon Chung Southern