Crownity North District met Kowloon City at North District Sports Ground on Sun afternoon for the BOC LIFE Hong Kong Premier League fixture of the day. Crownity North District defeated Kowloon City by 3:1.
In a pulsating BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League encounter at North District Sports Ground on Sunday (January 12), North District clinched a convincing 3:1 victory over Kowloon City to claim all three points.
Both teams tried to push for the first goal after the openning whistle. The visitors threatened first when Kayron Ramos unleashed a free-kick that was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper.
North District came agonizingly close in the 22nd minute as Kendy Renato latched onto Elian Villalobos' defense-splitting pass before unleashing a left-footed effort that rattled the woodwork. Moments later, Lo Kong Wai pounced on a goalkeeper's error but his resulting cross was cleared by the alert Yim Kai Cheuk.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 37th minute after Willian Leonardo's challenge sent Kendy Renato tumbling in the box. Though Kendy Renato's spot-kick was parried, the striker made no mistake with the rebound, slotting home to put the hosts in front.
The floodgates opened as North District doubled their advantage two minutes later. After a sequence of saves denied both Constancio Guilherme and Lau Kwan Ching, Kendy Renato's vision found Elian Villalobos who rifled home to make it 2:0.
North District' dominance continued as they netted a third before the interval. Kendy Renato's effort struck the upright, but Constancio Guilherme was perfectly positioned to convert the rebound, sending North District into the break with a commanding 3:0 lead.
After the restart, North District maintained their attacking intent with Lo Kong Wai coming close, his fierce drive from an acute angle striking the frame of the goal.
Kowloon City thought they had pulled one back through Yim Kai Cheuk's close-range finish, but VAR intervention ruled it out for offside.
The visitors continued to probe, with Willian Leonardo testing the keeper from Tsang Ka Chun's delivery.
Their persistence paid dividends in the dying moments when Kayron Ramos produced a moment of magic, executing a spectacular bicycle kick from Ho Long Ho's cross to reduce the deficit.
In stoppage time, both sides had chances to alter the scoreline. Khan Jahangir's powerful drive was denied by a smart save, while at the other end, Marco Wegener made a crucial block to thwart Lam Hok Hei's close -range effort.
The final whistle confirmed North District's maiden league triumph of the campaign, as they ran out deserved 3:1 winners.