KC Southern met up with Kowloon City in Sham Shui Po Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon for the 2024-25 HKFA Senior Shield Round 1. KC Southern beat Kowloon City by 3:0 and promote to quarter-finals.
KC Southern met up with Kowloon City in Sham Shui Po Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon for the 2024-25 HKFA Senior Shield Round 1. KC Southern beat Kowloon City by 3:0 and promote to quarter-finals.
The match began with both sides probing for weaknesses. Kowloon City's Nilton Rodrigues whipped in a dangerous corner early on, but Kayron's effort was expertly parried by the Kwoon Chung Southern goalkeeper Ngan Ngo Tin. At the other end, Kwoon Chung Southern's set-piece specialist Sasaki Shu nearly broke the deadlock, his corner causing havoc in the box before Stefan Pereira's header was acrobatically tipped over.
The breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Lee Ka Yiu's pinpoint long ball found Rocha Gregory, who rifled home from inside the area to put Kwoon Chung Southern in front. Kowloon City responded with intent, Nilton Rodrigues coming close with a curling effort and a free-kick that whistled past the post.
After the interval, both sides continued to press, with Kwoon Chung Southern's Acosta making a marauding run down the left flank before setting up Rocha Gregory, whose shot flashed wide. Willian Leonardo tested the keeper from distance for Kowloon City, but it was Kwoon Chung Southern who looked the more likely to score.
Their pressure told in the 70th minute when misfortune struck for Kowloon City. Li Kak Yi's cross from the right was inadvertently turned into his own net by Diego Eli, doubling Kwoon Chung Southern's advantage.
Late drama ensued as Kwoon Chung Southern were awarded a penalty after Rocha Gregory was felled in the box. However, the striker's spot-kick was brilliantly saved, keeping Kowloon City's faint hopes alive.
Those hopes were extinguished in the 88th minute when Jackson Franklim ghosted in at the far post to nod home Rocha Gregory's cross, sealing an emphatic 3:0 win for Kwoon Chung Southern.
The result saw Kwoon Chung Southern progress to the quarter-finals, where they'll face a stern test against Eastern in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.