HKFC met up with Eastern in HK Football Club Ground on Sunday afternoon for the 2024-25 Boc Life Hong Kong Premier League clash. Eastern beat HKFC by 2:0.
In a thrilling BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League encounter at HK Football Club Ground on Sunday (January 12), Eastern clinched a vital 2:0 victory against HKFC, securing all three points.
The visitors came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock in the third minute when Marcos Gondra orchestrated a sublime long-range pass to Ma Hei Wai, who demonstrated excellent control before unleashing a left-footed effort from an acute angle, only to see it chalked off for offside.
Eastern's attacking prowess was evident again in the 9th minute as Calum Hall's pinpoint cross from the right flank found Victor Bertomeu, who bundled the ball home from close range. However, VAR intervention revealed a handball infringement, leading to the second disallowed goal of the match.
The woodwork denied Eastern before the interval when Wong Ho Chun's exquisite through ball released Baffoe Noah, whose thunderous strike from a tight angle rattled the upright.
Both sides headed into the dressing rooms deadlocked at 0:0.
Eastern maintained their dominance after the restart, with Baffoe Noah turning provider in the 49th minute, delivering a teasing cross that Victor Bertomeu headed off target. Moments later, Wong Ho Chun tried his luck from distance, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
HKFC's most promising opportunity came on the hour mark when Auston Kranick's intelligent pass found Jesus Salazar, whose attempt was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper.
Drama unfolded in the 69th minute as Leung Kwun Chung's set-piece delivery caused havoc in the box. After a collision between HKFC keeper Frederick Toomer and Baffoe Noah, Victor Bertomeu's headed effort was once again ruled out, this time for offside - Eastern's third disallowed goal of the match.
The breakthrough finally came in the 77th minute through a moment of brilliance from Marcos Gondra, who curled a sublime free-kick from the edge of the area into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Eastern sealed the victory in the 85th minute with a clinical counter-attack. Alexander Jojo's precise long ball found Ma Hei Wai, who showcased excellent composure to surge down the right channel before slotting home at the far post.
The result sees Eastern emerge victorious with a well-deserved 2:0 win, claiming all three points in this crucial league fixture.