In a thrilling Hong Kong Premier Youth League U16 (Championship Group Rd.2) encounter at Shek Kip Mei Park on Friday (March 14), Kitchee dominated Eastern with a commanding 5:1 victory to secure maximum points.

The match burst into life early as Kitchee's Yu Ching Kok unleashed a speculative effort from the edge of the area following a searching long ball, but the strike sailed over the crossbar under defensive pressure.

Eastern responded with a well-worked move in the 8th minute, as Wong Sean orchestrated a clever one-two combination before firing a snapshot from an acute angle, only to be denied by the alert reflexes of goalkeeper Tang Pui Chun.

The deadlock was finally broken on 13 minutes when Huang Zezhi exploited space on the right flank, delivering an inch-perfect cross that Yu Ching Kok expertly converted with a clinical sliding finish to put Kitchee ahead.

The lead was doubled in the 23rd minute through a display of predatory instinct from Yu Ching Kok, who reacted quickest to slam home the rebound after his initial headed attempt from a right-wing delivery was parried by Eastern goalkeeper Wong Pak Lam.

Kitchee's dominance continued as they added a third in the 28th minute. Lee Shing Chun showed excellent footwork to escape his marker before whipping in a dangerous cross that Huang Zezhi bundled home from point-blank range, making it 3:0.

The attacking onslaught persisted with Ma Lok Sepherey terrorizing the left wing in the 31st minute, but YU CHING KOK's powerful first-time strike whistled agonizingly wide of the upright.

Eastern nearly pulled one back before the interval when Lee, Hong Ching latched onto Wong Sean's clever pass, but his fierce drive from a tight angle was expertly thwarted by the goalkeeper.

The first half concluded with Kitchee in complete control, holding a commanding 3:0 advantage.

Eastern emerged from the break with renewed vigor and came within inches of reducing the deficit in the 55th minute, as Leung Tsz Yin's spot-kick cannoned off the crossbar.

That missed opportunity proved costly as Kitchee extended their lead moments later. Chan Yin Lok bamboozled his marker on the right before picking out Yu Ching Kok, who completed his memorable hat-trick with a sublime finish into the far corner.

Kitchee continued to create chances, with Yu Ching Kok turning provider in the 76th minute to release Lau Ho Rex clean through on goal, but he couldn't capitalize as his effort drifted wide with just the keeper to beat.

Eastern finally found a consolation in the 86th minute through Man Yat's long-range effort, which took a fortunate deflection to wrong-foot the goalkeeper.

The scoring wasn't over as Kitchee restored their four-goal cushion three minutes later. Yim Ming Chi's corner kick sparked a goalmouth scramble that Kwong Tsz Kit eventually turned home to make it 5:1.

Eastern almost had the final say when Leung Pak Hin's sublime effort from distance struck the woodwork, with Sasaki Yu somehow failing to convert the rebound from close range with the goal at his mercy.

The final whistle confirmed Kitchee's emphatic 5:1 triumph, securing a vital three points in their championship pursuit.