KC Southern met up with HKFC in Aberdeen Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon for the 2024-25 Boc Life Hong Kong Premier League clash. KC Southern beat HKFC by 3:1.
In a thrilling BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League encounter at Aberdeen Sports Ground on (May 10), high-flying Kwoon Chung Southern clinched a convincing 3:1 victory over HKFC in front of a passionate crowd.
Kwoon Chung Southern wasted no time asserting their dominance, creating a gilt-edged opportunity in the second minute. Ju Yingzhi whipped in a dangerous cross from the left flank, forcing a desperate save from the HKFC goalkeeper. The ensuing goalmouth scramble saw Ichikawa Sohgo's powerful drive blocked by the resolute Andrew Russell, before Mahama Awal's instinctive effort from an acute angle whistled past the upright.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when the clinical Gregory Rocha capitalized on some sublime interplay between Ju Yingzhi and Mahama Awal, the latter delivering an inch-perfect cross for Gregory Rocha to slot home with aplomb, making it 1:0.
HKFC showed glimpses of threat, with Bradley Leong orchestrating a promising move in the 32nd minute, but Oscar Benavides couldn't quite direct his effort on target from a promising position.
Against the run of play, HKFC restored parity in the 34th minute through Leonardo Peres, who ghosted in at the far post to convert Lam Ho Hei's pinpoint delivery from the right wing.
Kwoon Chung Southern's response was swift and decisive. Three minutes later, following a determined run from Ichikawa Sohgo, Yung Ho unleashed an unstoppable left-footed thunderbolt from the edge of the area to restore Southern's advantage.
On the stroke of halftime, Wong Ho Yin's visionary long ball found the mercurial Maham Awal, who demonstrated exceptional composure to drive into the box and finish clinically from a tight angle, extending Southern's lead to 3:1.
The scoreline remained unchanged at the interval, with Kwoon Chung Southern firmly in the driver's seat.
HKFC emerged from the break with renewed vigor, nearly reducing the deficit when Andrew Russell rose highest to meet Daniel Scally's precise corner, before Wong Sum Chit Sherman tested the keeper with a rasping drive from distance.
Kwoon Chung Southern maintained their tactical discipline, with Gregory Rocha showcasing his individual brilliance by engineering space in a crowded penalty area, only to be denied by an outstanding save from the HKFC shot-stopper.
Drama ensued when VAR intervention led to a spot-kick being awarded after Stefan Pereira's effort struck Andrew Russell's hand, but Chan Yun Tung's penalty was brilliantly saved, keeping HKFC's faint hopes alive.
In the dying moments, HKFC came agonizingly close to a consolation when Daniel Scally's powerful header from Wong Sum Chit Sherman's precise cross cannoned off the woodwork.
The final whistle confirmed Kwoon Chung Southern's impressive 3:1 victory, cementing their position in the league with a well-deserved three points.