2024-25 BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League - HKFC 0:2 Kowloon City
HKFC met Kowloon City in HKFC Football Ground on Sunday afternoon (29th September) for the 2024-25 BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League clash. Kowloon City beat HKFC by 2:0.
The deadlock was broken just 5 minutes into the encounter when Ho Lung Ho was brought down in the box by Habib Bah. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Kayron Rmos stepped up to coolly slot home the penalty, giving Kowloon City an early 1:0 advantage.
Kowloon City nearly doubled their lead in the 11th minute. Lam Hok Hei threaded a sublime through ball to Diego Eli, who rounded the keeper and found the back of the net, only for the linesman's flag to cut short the celebrations, ruling the effort offside.
HKFC's first real chance came on the half-hour mark, but Callum Beattie's direct free-kick was comfortably gathered by the Kowloon City goalkeeper.
The hosts' woes deepened in the 34th minute when Marcus Mcmillan saw red for a violence foul, the referee upgraded the yellow to a straight red after consulting VAR, leaving HKFC a man down.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, HKFC almost leveled the score. Callum Beattie's 25-yard free-kick rattled the crossbar, while at the other end, Hui Ka Lok's long-range effort for Kowloon City was parried away by the keeper. The first half concluded with the visitors holding a slender 1:0 lead.
After the restart, HKFC pushed for an equalizer. In the 51st minute, Callum Beattie's set-piece found Jesus Salazar, whose glancing header flew wide. Kowloon City responded in the 73rd minute with Diego Eli's free-kick, which was blocked by the wall.
HKFC's golden opportunity to restore parity came in the 83rd minute. Wong Sum Chit Sherman latched onto a cross from the left flank, but his quick turn and shot agonizingly missed the upright.
Having weathered the storm, Kowloon City put the game to bed in the 86th minute. Willian Leonardo stepped up to take a free-kick on the edge of the area, unleashing a thunderbolt that nestled into the net, sealing a 2:0 victory and all three points for Kowloon City.
