Kowloon City hosted BC Rangers at Sham Shui Po Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon for BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League fixture. Kowloon City beat BC Rangers by 2:0.
The hosts wasted no time in stamping their authority on the match. With barely 60 seconds on the clock, Diego Eli's quick-fire free-kick found Lam Hok Hei, who whipped in a cross from the left flank. Kayron Ramos made no mistake and slotted the ball home to give Kowloon City an early 1:0 advantage.
Kowloon City continued to dominate proceedings, and in the 17th minute, they came close to doubling their lead. Yu Pui Hong latched onto Kayron Ramos's clever pass, but his effort from a tight angle inside the box was parried away by the alert goalkeeper.
BC Rangers's first real chance came on the half-hour mark. A slick one-two between Chang Kwong Yin and Barak Braunshtain carved open the Kowloon City defense, but Chang's left-footed drive was expertly saved by the goalkeeper.
As the first half drew to a close, Kowloon City ramped up the pressure. Kayron Ramos, in particular, was a constant thorn in Kowloon CIty's side. The striker embarked on a mazy run down the right wing, leaving defenders in his wake before unleashing a powerful shot that the keeper did well to keep out.
Just before the interval, Kowloon City struck again. Lam Hok Hei's interception and subsequent through ball released Lee Keun Ho, who kept his composure to slot past the onrushing keeper, sending Kowloon City into the break with a comfortable 2:0 cushion.
Kowloon City picked up where they left off after the restart. Ho Lung Ho, benefiting from Kayron Ramos's vision, delivered a dangerous cross from the right. In a moment of panic, Rindo Makoto nearly turned the ball into his own net, but was saved by his goalkeeper's quick reflexes. Lee Keun Ho pounced on the rebound, only to see his effort blocked by a desperate defensive lunge.
As the clock ticked on, BC Rangers began to show signs of life. The 50th minute saw Lau Chi Lok connect with Chang Kwong Yin's cross from the right, but his attempt failed to trouble the scoreboard.
Moments later, Wong To Lam Vito showcased his individual brilliance, collecting Rindo Makoto's long ball before weaving past two defenders. His shot from an acute angle, however, just midded the target.
With time running out, BC Rangers threw caution to the wind. In the 87th minute, Cheung Ching Wan George's set-piece delivery found Lau Chi Lok, but the striker's header sailed agonizingly over the crossbar.
In the dying embers of the match, BC Rangers had one last roll of the dice. Unoki Yusuke's free-kick from the left flank picked out Rindo Makoto, whose goal-bound header was brilliantly thwarted by the Kowloon City shot-stopper. As the final whistle blew, Kowloon City emerged victorious, preserving their 2:0 lead and claiming all three points in this enthralling Premier League clash.