Hong Kong met up with Guangdong in Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday night for The 42nd Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup (1 st Leg.). Hong Kong beat Guangdong by 2:0.
Hong Kong met up with Guangdong in Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday night for The 42nd Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup (1 st Leg.). Hong Kong beat Guangdong by 2:0.
Hong Kong, enjoying the home advantage, wasted no time in creating scoring opportunities, Chang Hei Yin cut inside from the left and unleashed an effort at the edge of the box. The ball bounced off Sun Ming Him and Wong Tze Ho collected the loose ball,only to see his rebound shot was cleared off by defender in frony of the goal-line.
However, the breakthrough came in the 11th minute, as Chang Hei Yin's brilliant run down the left flank culminated in a precise cross, met by Chan Siu Kwan Philip's thunderous strike from outside the box, burying the ball in the back of the net to give Hong Kong a well-deserved 1:0 lead.
The hosts continued their relentless attacking display, with Yu Joy Yin Jesse and Poon Pui Hin coming close to doubling the lead. Guangdong, on the other hand, squandered a golden chance in the 33rd minute when Liang Xuming's effort off a right-wing delivery just missed the target.
As the first half approached its conclusion, both teams intensified their efforts. However, Li Ngai Hoi’s effort from a corner was easily caught by the goalkeeper. And Guangdong's Ye Chequi failed to find the equalizer with his powerful header too. Hong Kong held on to their advantage, going into halftime with a 1:0 lead.
The second half began with renewed energy from both sides, but it was Hong Kong who struck again in the 52nd minute. Sun Ming Him's dazzling dribble on the left flank left the opposition in his wake, before he unselfishly set up an unmarked Poon Pui Hin, who coolly slotted the ball into the empty net, extending Hong Kong's lead to 2:0.
Undeterred, Guangdong launched a spirited comeback attempt, but their efforts went in vain. Xiao Zhi connected with a teammate’s free-kick delivery and headed the ball to Liang Xueming, but the latter ‘s close-range shot sailed over the crossbar.
Hong Kong maintained their dominance, controlling the game and denying Guangdong any clear-cut chances. Sun Ming Him and Chan Siu Kwan Philip had further opportunities to extend the lead, but their shots were saved by the goalkeeper.
In the end, the scoreline remained unchanged, with Hong Kong securing a well-deserved 2:0 victory over Guangdong in the first leg of the 42nd Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup.