FWD Insurance Chinese New Year Cup 2024 had been held at Hong Kong Stadium on 13 February afternoon. World Legends beat Hong Kong Legends by 7:3.
FWD Insurance Chinese New Year Cup 2024 had been held at Hong Kong Stadium on 13 February afternoon. World Legends beat Hong Kong Legends by 7:3.
World Legends dominated the game after the opening whistle, creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities. In the first minute, David Villa's powerful right-footed shot from Juan Veron’s pass was denied by the goalkeeper. Just six minutes later, David Villa had another attempt, but once again, the goalkeeper made a crucial save.
However, in the 10th minute, Hong Kong Legends' defense was breached. Alessandro Del Piero received a pass from Carles Puyol and delivered a precise cross from the right, which was met by Rivaldo, who slotted the ball home from close range, giving World Legends a well-deserved 1:0 lead.
World Legends continued their dominance and doubled their advantage in the 21st minute. Francesco Totti capitalized on a pass from Rivaldo and unleashed a fierce shot from a tight angle inside the penalty area, leaving the goalkeeper helpless as the ball found the back of the net, making it 2:0.
World Legends kept creating chances and came close to extending their lead. David Villa's exquisite shot from the left side was denied by the goalkeeper’s excellent save. However, in the 27th minute, Gaizka Mendieta made no mistake as he received a pass from Rivaldo and calmly slotted the ball into an empty net, increasing World Legends's lead to 3:0.
Towards the end of the first half, Hong Kong Legends showed some attacking intent. In the 36th minute, Chan Wai Ho's powerful right-footed shot from outside the penalty area was brilliantly saved by the diving goalkeeper. Four minutes later, Chu Siu Kei's direct free kick from the edge of the penalty area narrowly missed the target.
Just before the halftime whistle, World Legends added another goal to their tally. Rivaldo struck again, this time with a superb shot from the right side of the penalty area, curling the ball into the top corner of the net. His brace helped World Legends secure a comfortable 4:0 lead at halftime.
The second half saw a spirited comeback from Hong Kong Legends. In the 55th minute, Lee Hong Lim's shot rattled the post after a pass from Chu Siu Kei, but Leung Chun Pong was quick to react and scored on the rebound, reducing the deficit to 1:4.
However, World Legends quickly reestablished their dominance. In the 63rd minute, Fernando Morientes played a brilliant chest pass to David Villa, who unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net, extending World Legends' lead to 5:1.
Both teams continued to create scoring opportunities. In the 75th minute, Robert Pires met a pass from Fernando Morientes and lobbed the ball into the net from the edge of the penalty area, making it 6:1 in favor of World Legends.
Two minutes later, Hong Kong Legends pulled one back. Lee Hong Lim received a pass from Leung Chun Pong and fired a low shot from a narrow angle on the left, beating the goalkeeper to make it 2:6.
However, World Legends responded immediately with another goal. David Villa found the back of the net from inside the penalty area, making it 7:2 in their favor.
In the dying moments of the game, Au Yeung Yiu Chung played a lovely through ball from midfield, which Christian Kwesi calmly finished with a composed one-on-one strike against the goalkeeper.
In the end, World Legends emerged as the champions of the FWD Insurance Chinese New Year Cup 2024, defeating Hong Kong Legends with an impressive 7:3 scoreline.