Hong Kong, China met Chinese Taipei at Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday night (14th December) for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition 2024 (Group B) fixture. Hong Kong, China beat Chinese Taipei by 2:1.
Hong Kong, China met Chinese Taipei at Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday night (14th December) for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition 2024 (Group B) fixture. Hong Kong, China beat Chinese Taipei by 2:1.
Hong Kong,China dominated proceedings from the opening whistle, with their first clear-cut opportunity arriving in the 17th minute. Stefan Pereira's venomous free-kick from 20 yards out took a deflection off the defensive wall before sailing behind for a corner.
The deadlock was broken just two minutes later through a well-crafted team move. The dynamic Wong Wai delivered an inch-perfect cross from the right flank, finding Walter Junior who expertly maneuvered past his marker before squaring the ball across goal. Matthew Orr, unmarked inside the box, made no mistake with a clinical first-time finish to put the home side ahead.
Chinese Taipei restored parity on the half-hour mark when Yu Yao Hsing latched onto Miguel Sandberg's defense-splitting pass before dispatching a composed left-footed strike past the goalkeeper,making it 1:1.
The visitors nearly completed the turnaround before the interval when Wang Chien Ming's precise through ball sent Yu Yao Hsing clean through on goal, but Hong Kong,China’s goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai produced a crucial save to keep the scores level at the break.
Hong Kong,China emerged from the tunnel with renewed vigor, creating a flurry of opportunities. The 63rd minute saw Everton Camargo's curling free-kick whistle inches over the crossbar, and moments later, Matthew Orr was desperately unlucky to see his powerful header cannon off the woodwork following Mahama Awal's pinpoint delivery from Fernando Augusto's sweeping diagonal pass.
Chinese Taipei reminded the hosts of their threat in the 70th minute when Chen Hao Wei unleashed a thunderous effort after Ange Kouame's clever setup, but the goalkeeper stood firm with an acrobatic save.
The hosts continued to press, with Everton Camargo squandering a golden opportunity four minutes later, failing to convert Mahama Awal's inviting cross from point-blank range.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 87th minute through a set-piece. Yu Joy Yin Jesse's perfectly weighted corner found the towering Tsui Wang Kit, who rose majestically above the crowd to power home a thunderous header, sending the home faithful into raptures.
Deep into stoppage time, Wong Wai nearly added gloss to the scoreline after pouncing on a defensive error, but his effort was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper.
The final whistle confirmed Hong Kong,China’s progression to the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition 2024 Finals as Group B winners, sparking jubilant celebrations among players and supporters alike.