In a thrilling BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League encounter at Tsing Yi Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon (May 25), BC Rangers clinched a commanding 3:0 victory over Lee Man, securing all three points.
The match burst into life early as Lee Man dominated the opening exchanges. In the 7th minute, Samuel Rosa showcased his technical prowess, collecting a precise through ball from Tachihana Ryoya before expertly maneuvering past his marker and unleashing a curling effort that agonizingly struck the upright.
Lee Man maintained their attacking momentum and carved out another clear-cut opportunity in the 12th minute. The industrious Cheng Siu Kwan whipped in a dangerous cross from the right flank, finding Henri Anier whose point-blank header forced a spectacular diving save from goalkeeper.
The drama continued a minute later when Henri Anier thought he had broken the deadlock, latching onto Cheng Siu Kwan's defense-splitting pass before clinically finishing with his left foot, only for the linesman's flag to cut short the celebrations.
BC Rangers weathered the storm and nearly struck against the run of play in the 37th minute. Luiz Humberto combined well with Lau Chi Lok before unleashing a fierce drive that the alert Lee Man shot-stopper did well to parry away.
The end-to-end action continued as both sides traded chances. BC Rangers’ Bitencourt Guilherme tested the keeper with a powerful long-range effort, while Lee Man's Everton Camargo produced a moment of individual brilliance, weaving past three defenders only to be denied by the woodwork from an acute angle.
On the stroke of halftime, BC Rangers squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead. Bitencourt Guilherme's perfectly weighted through ball sent Lau Chi Lok clean through, but the keeper stood tall to make a crucial block.
The sides headed into the interval deadlocked at 0:0.
The second period began with both teams showing attacking intent. BC Rangers’ Yiu Ho Ming dragged a shot wide after good build-up play from Lau Chi Lok, while at the other end, Ryan Tafazolli's powerful header from a corner forced a smart save from the goalkeeper.
The game's complexion changed dramatically in the 51st minute when Lee Man were reduced to ten men. Tachihana Ryoya received his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Lau Chi Lok.
BC Rangers thought they had capitalized on their numerical advantage in the 55th minute when Maxwell Anash's thunderbolt found the top corner, but VAR intervention spotted a handball in the build-up, chalking off the spectacular effort.
The breakthrough finally came in the 74th minute as BC Rangers’ persistence paid off. Bitencourt Guilherme demonstrated clinical finishing, converting Maxwell Ansah's assist with a precise left-footed strike inside the area to make it 1:0.
The floodgates threatened to open as BC Rangers pressed their advantage. Lau Chi Lok's pinpoint cross found Bitencourt Guilherme whose fierce shot was parried by the keeper, before Maxwell Ansah's follow-up attempt was also smothered.
BC Rangers doubled their advantage in the 86th minute through a well-worked goal. Luiz Humberto's incisive through ball released Lau Chi Lok, who showed remarkable composure to slot past the onrushing keeper in a one-on-one situation.
The rout was completed three minutes from time as Lau Chi Lok grabbed his second of the match, applying a clinical finish to Barak Braunshtain's assist by finding the far corner with unerring accuracy.
When the final whistle blew, BC Rangers had emerged victorious with an emphatic 3:0 scoreline, claiming maximum points.