2024-05-22

In a high-stakes encounter in the Jockey Club Women's Youth Football League (U15), Kitchee emerged victorious, defeating Hong Kong Football Club 2:1. This thrilling victory earned them a three-point haul and the coveted season championship title.

Hong Kong Football Club initiated the game on a strong note, with their forward Ng Sum Yau Isa making a 7-minute attempt at goal from Bailey Taylor Kathleen's cross on the right flank, but it was efficiently saved by the goalkeeper. Ten minutes into the game, Hong Kong Football Club saw another potential goal-scoring opportunity as Ng Sum Yau Isa fired a shot from a tight angle in the penalty area after receiving a throw-in, only to hit the side netting.                                         

In an almost catastrophic moment a minute later, Hong Kong Football Club almost scored when Chandler Anna Rose Ming-Yeh's cross from the right wing was mistakenly directed towards their own goal by Wong Tsz Ching during a clearance, rebounding off the post. Kitchee found their footing and regained some offensive momentum 24 minutes into the game, with Chan Hau Yau shaking off her marker and taking a shot from the left wing, only to be denied by the alert goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Kitchee's Fung Ting Yin narrowly missed the target after receiving a corner kick from the right wing.                                                                                                        

Kitchee, steadily asserting their dominance, had another scoring opportunity at the 30-minute mark, with Chong Hoi Ching's audacious long-range attempt from the right wing being deflected by the post. Three minutes later, an exquisite pass from Kitchee's Fung Ting Yin set Chong Hoi Ching up for a shot in the penalty box, but her attempt grazed the side netting.                              

In the second half, Kitchee maintained their attacking momentum. Although Fung Ting Yin's header from Tse Long Ching's corner on the right wing veered wide 45 minutes into the game, their corner strategy finally paid off three minutes later. Tang Tsz Wan's corner from the left wing was expertly headed into the net by Fung Ting Yin, amidst a crowded penalty area, giving Kitchee a 1:0 lead. At the 50-minute mark, the tides turned as Hong Kong Football Club ramped up their offensive. Chandler Anna Rose Ming-Yeh's attempted shot from a narrow angle in the penalty box along the left flank narrowly missed the mark.                                                                             

By the 52nd minute, Kitchee unleashed a flurry of attacks, with Tse Long Ching's corner from the right wing leading to Fung Ting Yin's point-blank shot bouncing off the crossbar. However, Chong Hoi Ching made good use of a cross from the left, driving the ball into the net and boosting Kitchee's lead to 2:0. Despite falling behind, Hong Kong Football Club demonstrated tenacity, launching a spirited offensive against Kitchee. They had a few near-misses with Ng Sum Yau Isa's angled shot from Ippolito Emma's right-side cross and another attempt by Ng Sum Yau Isa from the edge of the penalty box, both of which were saved by the goalkeeper.                                        

As the game neared its conclusion, Hong Kong Football Club's relentless efforts reaped benefits with Chandler Anna Rose Ming-Yeh's successful close-range shot from a right cross, narrowing the score to 1:2. In the final moments of the game, Hong Kong Football Club crafted a few more chances. However, Ippolito Emma's powerful attempt in the penalty box after receiving a long pass from a teammate hit the side netting. Li Rachel Sun Wai's direct free kick was parried away by the goalkeeper with a spectacular save, and Chandler Anna Rose Ming-Yeh's follow-up shot also missed the target.                                                                                                                          

In the end, Kitchee held their nerve, edging past Hong Kong Football Club 2:1, and clinching all three points. They were crowned champions of this season's Jockey Club Women's Youth Football League (U15). Despite the defeat, Hong Kong Football Club showcased a commendable performance and wrapped up the competition in third place.