Crownity North District hosted Tai Po at North District Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon for the BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League fixture. Tai Po defeated Crownity North District by3:0.
The match kicked off with both sides showing attacking intent. In the 3rd minute, Tai Po's Michel Renner unleashed a shot from outside the box that sailed over the crossbar. Crownity North District responded in the 17th minute when Khan Jahangir's corner from the right found Yip Cheuk Man at the far post, but his close-range effort was parried away by the keeper.
Tai Po gradually gained the upper hand. In the 21st minute, Igor Sartori's long ball into the danger area found Michel Renner unmarked, but the striker's powerful shot failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 29th minute. Igor Sartori's cross from the right wasn't cleared effectively by the Crownity North District defense. Lucas Da Silva pounced on the loose ball, firing a fierce right-footed drive that struck Yip Cheuk Man's arm. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation, and Guilherme Bitencourt coolly slotted home the penalty to make it 1:0.
Tai Po continued to press, with Guilherme Bitencourt forcing a fingertip save from the keeper after latching onto Chan Siu Kwan Philip's back pass. The lead was doubled in the 41st minute when Michel Renner, fed by Lucas Da Silva, advanced to the edge of the area and rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
Just before the interval, Tai Po nearly added a third. Lucas Da SIlva nodded the ball down to Chan Siu Kwan Philip, whose strike from the edge of the box was gathered by the goalkeeper. At the break, Tai Po held a comfortable 2:0 lead over Crownity North District.
After the restart, Crownity North District came out fighting, but Constancio Guilherme squandered two gilt-edged chances, failing to hit the target on both occasions.
Tai Po then reasserted their dominance. Guilherme Bitencourt's long ball found Lucas Da Silva, who cut in from the left flank and fired a shot that was deflected behind for a corner.
In the 65th minute, Igor Sartori's free-kick from the right was met by Gabriel Roberto, who nodded home Chan Siu-kwan's headed assist. However, VAR intervened, and the goal was chalked off for offside.
Five minutes later, Chan Siu Kwan Philip connected with Igor Sartori's free-kick from the left, and Weverton found the net from close range. Once again, the linesman's flag was raised, and the goal was disallowed.
Tai Po finally grabbed their third in the 75th minute. Nicholas beat his man on the left wing and whipped in a cross that Yip Cheuk Man inadvertently headed into his own net, extending Tai Po's lead to 3:0.
In the dying moments, Tai Po had a chance to add gloss to the scoreline. Lee Lok Him found himself through on goal, but his effort was thwarted by the goalkeeper's outstretched leg.
The final whistle blew with Tai Po emerging as 3:0 victors over Crownity North District, securing a crucial three points in their campaign.