In an international friendly encounter at a packed Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday (March 19), Hong Kong, China secured a convincing 2:0 victory over Macau, China in front of a passionate crowd.

The visitors started brightly, displaying attacking intent from the opening whistle. Just five minutes into the contest, Lei Cheng Lam showcased excellent anticipation to dispossess an opponent inside the danger area before delivering a pinpoint cross from the right flank. The resulting effort from Leong Lek Hang forced Yapp Hung Fai into a crucial intervention.

The hosts responded through a well-worked move down the left channel, with Fernando Augusto whipping in a dangerous delivery that found matthew Orr, whose headed attempt was comfortably gathered by Ho Man Fai.

The end-to-end action continued as Macau orchestrated another promising attack on the quarter-hour mark. Leong Lek Hang latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Cheong Hoi San, before delivering an inviting cross that saw Pang Zhi Hang's first-time effort whistle agonizingly wide of the upright.

As the half progressed, Hong Kong began to assert their dominance in midfield. The 18th minute saw Everton Camargo terrorize the right wing before picking out Matthew Orr, whose clever turn and strike required a last-ditch goalline clearance from the scrambling Macau defense.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 27th minute through a set-piece situation. Wong Wai's precise corner kick from the left found the unmarked Leon Jones, who made no mistake from close range to send the home supporters into raptures.

Hong Kong nearly doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute when the dynamic Everton Camargo skinned his marker on the right before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Raphael Merkies, whose powerful header rattled the woodwork.

The hosts' persistence paid off five minutes before the interval. A moment of individual brilliance saw Everton Camargo dance past two defenders on the right flank before providing a clinical cutback that was expertly converted by Raphael Merkies, extending Hong Kong lead to 2:0.

Raphael Merkies thought he had added a third from a well-worked corner routine, but the match official spotted an infringement in the build-up, chalking off the effort.

The first half concluded with Hong Kong firmly in the driving seat, leading 2:0.

The home side maintained their stranglehold after the restart. The 50th minute saw Mahama Awal trying to torment the Macau defense, delivering a dangerous cross that Wong Wai met with a powerful header, drawing a spectacular save from the goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, Yue Tsz Nam unleashed a thunderbolt from the edge of the area, forcing another acrobatic save from Macau's increasingly busy goalkeeper.

As fatigue set in, the tempo naturally decreased, though Macau showed glimpses of threat. Cheong Hoi San demonstrated excellent technique to create space in the box before unleashing a fierce drive that required a fingertip save from the alert Yapp Hung Fai.

The hosts continued to probe, with Raphael Merkies's cross from the left finding Yue Tsz Nam, who pounced on a poor clearance only to see his powerful effort ripple the side netting.

In the closing stages, Hong Kong exhibited their long-range prowess. Ngan Cheuk Pan's effort flew narrowly wide before Stefan Pereira carved out space on the edge of the box, only to see his venomous strike acrobatically parried away by Ho Man Fai.

When the final whistle echoed around Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong, China had secured a well-deserved 2:0 victory against Macau, Hong Kong.

Hong Kong, China 2:0 Macau, China