TSL FC flew out of the blocks and were in front inside five minutes when CHEUNG CHING YAN picked out CHAN TSZ CHING from the left and the forward nodded home from point-blank range. HKFC looked for an immediate response through HURTADO ALEJANDRA PAZ, who dragged a first effort narrowly wide from the edge of the area before forcing a smart save from a tight angle a minute later after racing onto a through ball. TSL FC went close to doubling the advantage on 28 minutes as KONG JASMINE broke clear following a defence-splitting pass from LAU HO YUEN, only to see their one-on-one come back off the post. HKFC punished that let-off to level on the half-hour. A hurried clearance from goalkeeper CHING YUET fell to HEARAUDE APOLLINE ROSE MARIE, who reacted quickest to clip a first-time right-footed lob over the keeper and into the net to make it 1-1 at the break.

TSL FC regained control moments after the restart. In the 47th minute, CHEUNG CHING YAN collected a lay-off and unleashed a long-range right-footed strike that looped over the goalkeeper to restore the lead at 2-1. Chances came at both ends as the game opened up. TSL’s NG JI YAU JILL skewed wide from close range after KONG JASMINE’s delivery from the left, while HKFC’s HEARAUDE APOLLINE ROSE MARIE burst into the box and was denied, with HURTADO ALEJANDRA PAZ unable to convert the rebound. TSL FC passed up a gilt-edged opportunity on 59 minutes when KONG JASMINE rounded the goalkeeper after being sent through, but blazed over an unguarded goal. The miss proved only a temporary reprieve as TSL FC sealed the points on 70 minutes. KONG JASMINE combined down the left before cutting the ball back for CHEUNG CHING YAN, who drilled a powerful finish into the net to make it 3-1.

HKFC threatened a late consolation when CHUA ALIA LILY struck from the edge of the area after a pass from VETTORETTI ASIA, but the goalkeeper produced a full-stretch save to keep TSL’s two-goal cushion intact.