The game started slowly with both teams playing cautiously. Kitchee’s BUDDLE Sebastian Robert was the most active player but lacked luck; he hit the post in the 5th minute and had a close-range shot saved three more minutes later.

North District also had their chances. TSANG Tsun Hin found space on the left twice around the 10th minute, but both of his powerful shots went over the bar.

Kitchee dominated much of the first half, but BUDDLE Sebastian Robert continued to struggle. He hit the post again in the 17th minute from a tight angle—his third time hitting the woodwork in the half. Just as it looked like it would stay 0-0, LAM Pak Yin stole the ball from a defender and scored with a hard shot just 20 seconds before the half-time whistle.

North District pushed hard for an equaliser after the break. YUEN Sai Kit and TSANG Chun Hin were dangerous, but they couldn't break through Kitchee’s defense.

In the 25th minute, North District almost scored when PUN Tsz Hei hit the post. At the other end, Kitchee’s BUDDLE Sebastian Robert missed another great chance in the 33rd minute when he was left unmarked but shot wide of the goal.
The match became more physical in the final minutes with many hard tackles. Although North District had several more chances and a free-kick late in the game, they could not find the net. Kitchee held on to their 1-0 lead until the final whistle.