Sham Shui Po met up with Tai Po in Sham Shui Po Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon for the 2023-24 BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League clash. Tai Po beat Sham Shui Po by 1:0.
The first half saw both teams playing with a high level of caution, refraining from launching too many assaults on goal. Tai Po had the first scoring opportunity at the 8th minute when Michel Renner's powerful right-foot strike in the penalty box hit Song Juho's hand. A penalty was awarded after VAR consultation, but Chan Siu Kwan Philip's shot was valiantly parried by the keeper, and Lucas Da Silva's subsequent attempt also went slightly wide.
Despite dominating possession, Tai Po was unable to penetrate Sham Shui Po's rigid defense and create significant scoring chances. Luiz Humberto's several breakthroughs on the left flank failed to materialize into threats.
Sham Shui Po, on the other hand, stabilized their formation and managed to carve out opportunities in the latter part of the first half. Kiranbir Singh delivered a cross into the box from the right flank, but Ngan Cheuk Pan's header was safely gathered by the goalkeeper. The teams went into the halftime break goalless.
The second half saw Tai Po continue their dominance. They broke the deadlock in the 65th minute with a well-executed move. A neat one-two with Lucas Da Silva allowed Guilherme Bitencourt to send a through ball into the box, setting up Luiz Humberto, who coolly slotted it into the far post, propelling Tai Po into a 1:0 lead.
The 71st minute saw another Tai Po offensive, with Lucas Da Silva unleashing a shot at the edge of the box. However, the attempt lacked the necessary power and was easily collected by the goalkeeper.
In the 78th minute, Sham Shui Po had their moment. Ngan Cheuk Pan sent a through ball forward, setting up Wellingsson De Souza for a tight-angled left-foot strike in the box, which unfortunately went just wide.
Sham Shui Po's plight worsened in the 85th minute when Song Juho was shown his marching orders for a foul on Chan Siu Kwan Philip, reducing them to 10 men.
Despite being a man down, Sham Shui Po came close to leveling the score in the 90th minute. Kiranbir Singh's throw-in into the box wasn't cleared far by Gabriel Roberto, allowing Nicholas to attempt a header on goal, which was saved by the keeper.
When the final whistle blew, Tai Po had successfully defended their lead, securing a 1:0 victory over Sham Shui Po and capturing a vital three points.