Kitchee made the early running and almost struck from a corner, only for CHENG CHING KIU to nod over from close range. They then went even closer in the 18th minute when KO YAU’s header beat the advancing HKFC goalkeeper JORDAN EVA GLORIA, but an HKFC defender got back to hook clear.

HKFC settled and began to threaten with direct balls and set-piece pressure. CHUA EMMA JIAN YI tested Kitchee keeper WONG HIU YAU HAZEL from range on 25 minutes, while YUEN LOK TSANG LUCY dragged an effort wide after a corner a minute later. HULBERT KATIE JANE also broke into the area from a long pass on 32 minutes, but WONG HIU YAU HAZEL gathered the tight-angle attempt as the sides went in goalless at the break.

The chances came thick and fast after the restart. On 52 minutes, YUEN LOK TSANG LUCY raced through, rounded the goalkeeper and looked set to score, but Kitchee recovered to produce a crucial block. HKFC’s breakthrough arrived six minutes later as CHENG REINA MING YEE drove into the box from the right and finished with composure to put HKFC 1-0 ahead.

Kitchee hit back almost immediately. CHENG CHING KIU forced a full-stretch save from JORDAN EVA GLORIA in a goalmouth scramble on 68 minutes, and the equaliser followed a minute later when HKFC failed to clear their lines and LEE HONG TO squeezed a left-footed finish in from a narrow angle for 1-1.

With little to separate the sides in the closing stages, the trophy was decided in a shootout. After both teams converted their first four kicks, JORDAN EVA GLORIA saved Kitchee’s fifth penalty from WONG HIU YAU HAZEL before CHANDLER ANNA ROSE MING-YEH stepped up to convert and seal a 3-2 shootout win for HKFC.