In a thrilling HKPL U-22 League FA Cup quarter-final showdown at Kowloon Bay Park on Wednesday (7th May), North District emerged victorious against Tai Po by 2:1.
In a thrilling HKPL U-22 League FA Cup quarter-final showdown at Kowloon Bay Park on Wednesday (7th May), North District emerged victorious against Tai Po by 2:1.
The second quarter-final produced an equally enthralling spectacle between Tai Po and North District. The deadlock was broken when North District's CONSTANCIO PEREIRA Weverton Guilherme unleashed a spectacular long-range effort through the rain, leaving Tai Po's young shot-stopper TAI Ting Hong with no chance. The woodwork denied NG Pak Hei's thunderous strike shortly after, before Tai Po orchestrated a swift equalizer, as KORANI Krisna R expertly converted LEE Lok Him's pinpoint delivery.
The second half saw North District regain the initiative through TANDY ORTEGA Benjamin Eloy's sublime strike from distance in the 50th minute. Despite CONSTANCIO PEREIRA Weverton Guilherme rattling the crossbar once more, Tai Po's tactical substitutions paid dividends when substitute BENAVIDES MEDEIROS Nicholas rose majestically at the far post to meet CHANG Chi Ho's precise cross in the 90th minute, forcing the contest into a penalty shootout.
The ensuing spot-kick drama saw both sides falter, with North District's WONG Wai Kwok and Tai Po's BAH Mamadou Habib failing to convert during the first four rounds. The decisive moment came when North District's heroic keeper CHEUNG Kwai Wa produced a magnificent save to deny CHENG Tsz Sum, before CAJAZEIRAS FLOR VIEIRA Guilherme Kayron displayed nerves of steel to convert the winning penalty, securing a 4:3 shootout victory and 6:5 aggregate triumph. North Distrcit now face South District in what promises to be an explosive semi-final encounter at Kowloon Bay Park, kicking off at 20:30 on Wednesday, May 14.
North District's goalkeeper CHEUNG Kwai Wa exuded confidence post-match: "Despite previous setbacks against Tai Po in the league, our cup performance today demonstrated our true potential. We could have sealed it in regulation time with better finishing. The penalty save was particularly satisfying." Looking ahead to the KC Southern clash, CHEUNG Kwai Wa expressed optimism: "In knockout football, maintaining our current form gives us every chance of reaching the final."