HKFC met up with BC Rangers in Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday afternoon for the 2024-25 Kwoon Chung Bus 60th Anniversary FA Cup Semi-Final clash. BC Rangers beat HKFC by 4:1 and promoted to the Finals.
In a thrilling encounter at Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday (April 19), BC Rangers secured their place in the Kwoon Chung Bus 60th Anniversary FA Cup final with an emphatic 4:1 victory over HKFC.
The opening exchanges saw HKFC dominating possession, with Chan Ho Ka unleashing a powerful effort from the periphery of the penalty area following Callum Beattie's throw-in at the 11th minute. Moments later, Felix Perez-Doyle carved through BC Rangers' defensive line but his ambitious strike sailed over the crossbar.
BC Rangers responded with intent in the 13th minute as Barak Braunshtain tested the keeper with a well-struck shot from close range after latching onto Guilherme Bitencourt's precise through ball. The resulting corner saw Hayashi Ryota's goal-bound header dramatically cleared off the line by the ever-alert Jack Sealy.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 16th minute through a moment of brilliance from Lau Chi Lok, who executed an exquisite chip over the advancing goalkeeper after being released by Luiz Humberto's pinpoint long-range pass.
BC Rangers doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark when Li Wing Ho coolly dispatched a one-on-one opportunity, created by Leung Wai Fung Derek's defense-splitting long ball.
The first-half scoring wasn't done there, as Maxwell Anash extended BC Rangers' lead in stoppage time, clinically finishing from inside the area after another sublime assist from the creative Guilherme Bitencourt.
BC Rangers took a commanding 3:0 advantage into the interval.
HKFC showed signs of life after the restart, reducing the deficit in the 54th minute when Leonardo Peres demonstrated great anticipation to convert Marcus McMillan's precise left-wing delivery at the far post.
However, BC Rangers restored their three-goal cushion in the 62nd minute as Guilherme Bitencourt capitalized on defensive uncertainty, unleashing an unstoppable left-footed drive from the edge of the area following Luiz Humberto's dangerous cross.
HKFC nearly pulled another back in the 74th minute after a defensive mix-up between BC Rangers' shot-stopper Chan Kwun San and Chen Hao, but fortune favored the leaders as Chen Hao's effort struck the upright with the goal at his mercy.
The 4:1 scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle, with BC Rangers advancing to the showpiece final after a commanding performance.