Heading into the final showdown of the Jockey Club Girls' Youth Football League (U18), Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) held a three-point advantage over Kitchee in second place, setting the stage for a decisive battle for the runner-up spot. Ultimately, the two teams delivered a thrilling goal fest, with HKFC coming from a goal down to secure a 3-2 comeback victory and clinch the first runner-up finish this season.
The match started at a frantic pace with end-to-end action right from kickoff. Although HKFC’s HULBERT KATIE JANE repeatedly disrupted the opposition's transitions down the right flank, it was Kitchee who seized a golden opportunity in the 6th minute. ANNABEL LUCY YUE won possession at the edge of the penalty area and laid the ball off to the left for LEE HONG TO, who unleashed a powerful strike into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Trailing, HKFC aggressively mounted their response. DUVERNAY TALIA LENA SARAH found space in front of goal but fired her effort over the crossbar. However, HKFC’s relentless pressure paid off in the 14th minute when they penetrated the box once again, and YUEN LOK TSANG LUCY fired home a clinical finish from close range to level the score at 1-1.
Both sides continued to trade blows as the half progressed, but HKFC dictated the play with superior build-up. YUEN LOK TSANG LUCY and DUVERNAY TALIA LENA SARAH launched successive attacks down the right wing, though they initially struggled to breach Kitchee's resolute defense.
The breakthrough came in the 31st minute during another HKFC attack. Amidst a goalmouth scramble, Kitchee’s K58 inadvertently turned the ball into her own net while attempting to clear the danger. The own goal handed HKFC a 2-1 lead heading into the halftime break.
The attacking intensity carried over into the second half, with the leading HKFC growing in confidence. Shortly after the restart, DUVERNAY TALIA LENA SARAH collected the ball, turned, and fired a shot that was comfortably held by the goalkeeper.
Three minutes later, YUEN LOK TSANG LUCY tested the keeper with a direct strike from the right byline but was denied. MOI LEI NGAI then tried her luck from the edge of the box, only to see her effort saved as well. At the other end, Kitchee’s LEE HONG TO also found a scoring opportunity, but her shot fizzed just wide of the post.The match took a dramatic turn in the 64th minute. Kitchee orchestrated an attack down the left and worked the ball into the penalty area, where KO YAU smashed a close-range finish into the net to equalize at 2-2.
The tempo immediately skyrocketed as both teams exchanged rapid counter-attacks. HKFC repeatedly delivered dangerous crosses from the flanks, eventually producing a lethal opportunity. In the 74th minute, YUEN LOK TSANG LUCY surged forward to meet a cross from the byline, heading home her second goal of the match to restore HKFC’s lead at 3-2. Just two minutes later, YUEN LOK TSANG LUCY nearly extended the advantage with a blistering strike from midfield, but her effort crashed off the crossbar.
Both sides continued to press in the dying minutes but were unable to alter the scoreline. Ultimately, HKFC held on to defeat Kitchee 3-2, officially claiming the league's runner-up title this season, while Kitchee finished in third place.