Sham Shui Po and HKFC clashed head-on at the HK Football Club Ground in a thrilling JC Sapling Cup Group A match. The encounter turned into an exhilarating goal-fest, ending in a 4:4 draw with both teams securing a valuable point.

Both teams started the game aggressively after the opening whistle. In the 5th minute, HKFC seized the initiative with a promising attacking opportunity. Felix Perez-Doyle, capitalizing on a corner kick, narrowly missed the target with a pinpoint header. Soon after, Sham Shui Po's Chang Kwong Yin unleashed a long-range strike, but it too failed to find the mark.

However, in the 19th minute, HKFC's Gustao Henrique delivered a pinpoint cross from the left flank, finding Paulo Carreiro inside the penalty area. He was then tripped by the goalkeeper, prompting the referee to point to the penalty spot. Thiago stepped up and unleashed a powerful shot, firmly planting the ball into the back of the net, granting HKFC an early lead.

Sham Shui Po swiftly retaliated just six minutes later. Wong Sum Chit Sherman's precise cross from the left wing found Chang Kwong Yin, who skillfully headed the ball into the net, restoring parity at 1:1. In the 33rd minute, Sham Shui Po successfully completed their comeback. Song Juho rose above the defense to connect with a header from a corner kick on the left, directing the ball towards Dunga, who made no mistake with a close-range finish, propelling Sham Shui Po into a 2:1 lead.

Unrelenting, Sham Shui Po extended their advantage after a mere four minutes. Song Juho, connecting with a corner kick from the right, unleashed a ferocious angled shot that found the back of the net, solidifying Sham Shui Po's dominance with a 3:1 lead at halftime.

As the second half commenced, Sham Shui Po continued to assert their dominance. In the 47th minute, Dunga found himself in a promising position to convert a cross from Nicholas, but his effort soared over the crossbar.

However, just three minutes later, Sham Shui Po struck again. Ivan Markovic displayed exceptional vision and delivered a pinpoint pass from the right flank, finding Dunga unmarked in front of an open goal. Dunga calmly slotted the ball into the net, completing his brace and further extending Sham Shui Po's lead.

Undeterred by a three-goal deficit, HKFC refused to throw in the towel. In the 52nd minute, Gustao Henrique's well-placed cross from the left was met by Paulo Carreiro's towering header, reducing the deficit to 2:4.

In the 67th minute, HKFC was awarded a penalty kick after Jack Sealy was fouled inside the box. However, Gustao Henrique's spot-kick was brilliantly denied by the goalkeeper, thwarting HKFC's hopes of a comeback.

Despite missing out on that golden opportunity, HKFC continued to fight gallantly. In the 72nd minute, Johns Dominic Sy showcased his blistering pace as he surged down the right flank, infiltrated the penalty area, and delivered a precise cross. Thiago, positioned near the far post, expertly nodded the ball into the net, narrowing the gap to 3:4.

In a dramatic turn of events, HKFC found an equalizer in the 88th minute. Narh committed a foul on Paulo Carreiro inside the penalty area, prompting the referee to point to the spot for the third time in the match. Substitute Paul Olivier Ngue confidently stepped up and dispatched a clinical penalty, leveling the score for HKFC just before the final whistle.

Finally, Sham Shui Po and HKFC played out an enthralling 4:4 draw, each earning a well-deserved point for their efforts.

Sham Shui Po 4:4 HKFC