Kwoon Chung Southern and BC Rangers squared off on Saturday afternoon in Mongkok Stadium for an entertaining FA Cup semi-final battle. BC Rangers conceded the opening goal, but stormed back and beat Kwoon Chung Southern 2:1 on the day, locking up a spot in the finale.
Kwoon Chung Southern and BC Rangers squared off on Saturday afternoon in Mongkok Stadium for an entertaining FA Cup semi-final battle. BC Rangers conceded the opening goal, but stormed back and beat Kwoon Chung Southern 2:1 on the day, locking up a spot in the finale.
BC Rangers produced better chances early in the game and nearly opened the score. Ibrahim Yakubu connected with a teammate’s centering pass, headed the ball backwards and found teammate Jean Kilama. The latter fired a timely shot but sent the ball wide.
Moments later, BC Rangers came close once again. This time, Walter Junior pulled the trigger from inside the Kwoon Chung Southern box but saw his shot cleared away by Kwoon Chung Southern’s Kota Kawase on the goal-line. Kwoon Chung Southern dodged a bullet on the occasion.
On the 26th minute, it was still BC Rangers. Yumemi Kanda knocked a teasing cross towards the middle. Kwoon Chung Southern defense failed to clear the ball away. Kim Minkyu drove the ball towards the net from the top of the box, only to send it inches wide off the goal-post.
Later on, Kwoon Chung Southern started to gather its footing. On the 35th minute, Awal Mahama floated the ball towards the middle. Kessi Dos Santos fired away from the top of the penalty area but sent it over the BC Rangers goal.
The first half finished with both sides locked in a goalless draw.
Kwoon Chung Southern got off to a fast start in the second half and broke the game open. On the 55th minute, Stefan Pereira’s free-kick beat goalkeeper Leung Hing-kit and found the back of the net. The Hong Kong Island-side was up 1:0.
BC Rangers managed to draw level on the 66th minute. Lo Kwan-yee’s cross from the right flank was picked up by teammate Kim Minkyu. The latter unleashed a cracking shot from the top of the Kwoon Chung Southern penalty area and tied the game at 1:1.
BC Rangers went knocking on the Kwoon Chung Southern door once again on the 76th minute, as Lam Hok-hei connected with an Ibrahim Yakubu cross and drilled the ball over the Kwoon Chung Southern goal.
On the 82nd minute, Kwoon Chung Southern’s Kota Kawase picked up his second yellow card of the game and his marching order. Kwoon Chung Southern was down to ten men with less than ten minutes to go.
Late in the game, BC Rangers’ Walter Junior was brought down inside the box by Kwoon Chung Southern’s Tomas Maronesi. The referee awarded BC Rangers with a penalty shot. Walter Junior dusted himself up, took the spot-kick and found the back of the net with his effort. BC Rangers was now up 2:1 with minutes to go.
Both sides failed to add to the score in the remaining regulation time, as BC Rangers came-from-behind and beat Kwoon Chung Southern 2:1 in the FA Cup semi-final.