In a thrilling Senior Shield quarter-final clash at Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday (November 23), Eastern clinched a narrow 1:0 victory over Kwoon Chung Southern to book their place in the semi-finals.

The deadlock was broken within the opening minute as Baffoe Noah made a blistering run down the right flank before picking out Victor Bertomeu, who showed excellent composure to round his marker and rifle home with his right foot. Kwoon Chung Southern nearly equalized in the 10th minute when Gregory Rocha’s set-piece delivery found Sasaki Shu, but his left-footed effort from the edge of the box cannoned off the crossbar. Chances continued to flow at both ends, with Victor Bertomeu coming close in the 17th minute after connecting with Baffoe Noah’s pass, but his long-range strike sailed narrowly over the woodwork. The visitors threatened again in the 33rd minute through a flowing move, as Lai Kak Yi’s cross from the left found Mahama Awal, whose clever header set up Gregory Rocha for a powerful drive, only for Tamirlan Kozubaev to make a crucial goal-line clearance. Eastern took their slender advantage into the break.

After the interval, both sides continued to press for goals. Eastern's Baffoe Noah latched onto Callum Hall searching ball but was denied by a smart save from the onrushing keeper. Kwoon Chung Southern's best chance of the second period fell to Mahama Awal, who couldn't direct his header on target after Song Juho had connected with Stefan Pereira's long ball to deliver an inviting cross. Eastern came close to doubling their lead when Victor Bertomeu effort from Felipe Alexandre's pass was blocked, before Alexander Jojo’s strike from range and Felipe Alexandre's follow-up were both expertly dealt with by the Southern defense. Eastern managed to see out the remainder of the match, securing their passage to the last four of the Senior Shield.

Eastern 1:0 Kwoon Chung Southern