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2024/25 Jockey Club Women's Youth Football League (U18) – HKFC 4:1 Kitchee

2025-03-11

In a thrilling encounter at Tsang Tai UK Recreation Ground on Tuesday (March 11), HKFC clinched a comprehensive 4:1 victory over Kitchee in the Jockey Club Women's Youth Football League (U18), securing the coveted runners-up position while Kitchee settled for third place.

The match burst into life early when HKFC's Yuen Lok Tsang Lucy unleashed a speculative effort from a well-worked corner routine in the 6th minute, though the strike sailed over the crossbar. HKFC's dominance paid dividends in the 14th minute when THIRLAUX Apolline Sophia Clara demonstrated excellent predatory instincts. After her initial attempt was parried by the Kitchee goalkeeper, she pounced on the rebound to break the deadlock, making it 1:0. The woodwork denied HKFC a second in the 22nd minute as RAMACHANDRAN Tara Lakshmi 's thunderous drive from the edge of the area crashed against the upright, leaving Kitchee's defense scrambling. HKFC's high-pressing tactics bore fruit in the 26th minute when RAMACHANDRAN Tara Lakshmi dispossessed the opposition before surging into the penalty area and rifling an unstoppable shot into the net, doubling their advantage.

Kitchee's first meaningful attempt came on the half-hour mark through HUNG Wing Tung Xyza, but her long-range effort was comfortably gathered by the alert HKFC goalkeeper. The rampant HKFC extended their lead further in the 33rd minute. THIRLAUX Apolline Sophia Clara showcased her poaching abilities once again, converting a precise right-wing delivery under defensive pressure to complete her brace and make it 3:0. Kitchee showed signs of life in the 39th minute when TANG Tsz Wan latched onto a defense-splitting pass, but her effort from an acute angle lacked the necessary power to trouble the keeper.

HKFC nearly added a fourth moments later as RAMACHANDRAN Tara Lakshmi 's spectacular long-range effort rattled the crossbar, with Yuen Lok Tsang Lucy's follow-up attempt narrowly missing the target. The first half concluded with HKFC firmly in control, leading 3:0.

HKFC maintained their attacking verve after the restart, and their persistence was rewarded in the 51st minute. A dangerous delivery from the left flank caused havoc in the Kitchee penalty area, allowing Yuen Lok Tsang Lucy to capitalize and extend the lead to 4:0. The attacking exhibition continued in the 54th minute when CHUA Emma Jian Yi showcased impressive wing play before finding THIRLAUX Apolline Sophia Clara, whose first-time effort whispered past the post. Yuen Lok Tsang Lucy nearly added to her tally in the 62nd minute after being released through on goal, but the advancing Kitchee keeper produced a crucial save to deny the striker.

Despite the scoreline, Kitchee's pressing game created an opportunity in the 65th minute, though the unmarked HUNG Wing Tung Xyza saw her effort expertly saved by the HKFC goalkeeper. Kitchee's persistence finally paid off in the 69th minute when YU Pui Yan  expertly controlled a long ball before dispatching a clinical finish at the near post to reduce the deficit to 1:4. HKFC continued to threaten, with a slick combination play between JAKEWAY Ava-rose and MOI Lei Ngai (Leah) in the 73rd minute creating a chance for Yuen Lok Tsang Lucy, whose close-range effort was thwarted by the increasingly busy Kitchee keeper.

In the dying moments, HKFC's HULBERT Katie Jane demonstrated explosive pace down the right flank before delivering a pinpoint cross to Yuen Lok Tsang Lucy, whose goal-bound effort was once again denied by the resilient Kitchee goalkeeper.

The final whistle confirmed HKFC's impressive 4:1 triumph, securing them the runners-up position in this season's Jockey Club Women's Youth Football League (U18) campaign.