In a thrilling Jockey Club Futsal League (Division 2) encounter at Hoi Sham Park on Thursday (May 29), title-chasers Kitchee clinched the championship with a commanding 3:0 victory over rivals South Youth Club, spearheaded by a clinical brace from Cheng Chin Lung.
Kitchee wasted no time asserting their dominance, breaking the deadlock after just 180 seconds. Lam Jordan Lok Kan demonstrated exceptional anticipation to intercept a stray pass in his own half before embarking on a penetrating run, culminating in an unstoppable left-footed rocket from the edge of the area that left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Kitchee continued their relentless assault, with Cheng Chin Lung delivering a pinpoint cross to the far post moments later, though Chen Ngo Hin squandered a golden opportunity, firing wide with the goal at his mercy.
South Youth Club showed signs of life in the ninth minute when s4 carved inside from the left flank, unleashing a venomous effort that required a spectacular save from Kitchee's shot-stopper Ainikaer Maihemuti.
The league leaders maintained their stranglehold on possession, creating another clear-cut chance on the quarter-hour mark. The industrious Sebastian Robert Buddle latched onto Cheng Chin Lung's defense-splitting through ball but couldn't direct his effort on target from point-blank range.
The onslaught continued as Cheng Chin Lung orchestrated another promising attack at the 19-minute mark, though Lam Jordan Lok Kan's instinctive first-time effort was expertly denied by South Youth Club's custodian Chu Tak Kei.
The first half concluded with Kitchee holding a slender but deserved one-goal advantage.
South Youth Club emerged from the interval with renewed vigor, wrestling control of proceedings in the opening exchanges. The 22nd minute saw Cheung Cheuk Yat test the keeper with a speculative long-range effort that whistled inches over the crossbar, followed by Leung Hon Fai's acute-angled drive that demanded a smart save.
The resurgent South Youth Club continued to press, with Leung Hon Fai again forcing a crucial intervention from Kitchee's goalkeeper with a powerful drive from distance.
Against the run of play, Kitchee doubled their advantage on 31 minutes through a devastating counter-attack. Yeung Cheuk Kwan demonstrated excellent vision to pick out Cheng Chin Lung, who exhibited remarkable composure to slot home and give his side breathing space.
South Youth Club nearly orchestrated an immediate response, but lady luck wasn't smiling on Cheng Cheuk Hong as his precise effort from the edge of the box cannoned off the upright.
The championship-deciding moment arrived five minutes from time when Cheng Chin Lung put the result beyond doubt. He exchanged an intricate one-two with Pang Hing Hei before applying a clinical finish, completing his brace and making it 3:0.
Kitchee successfully maintained their 3:0 victory until the final whistle, securing all three points to become champions of this season's Jockey Club Futsal League (Division 2).
Post-match, Pang Hing Hei who provided a crucial assist, reflected on the tactical masterclass: "Securing consecutive silverware under Coach Chu's stewardship is a remarkable achievement. Whether competing in futsal or traditional football, our commitment remains unwavering. Today's performance epitomized our tactical discipline and clinical finishing." He also emphasized the developmental benefits of the futsal format, acknowledging the invaluable mentorship from the squad's seasoned professionals, while expressing determination to maintain their winning trajectory in the upcoming campaign.




