BC Rangers and Lee Man squard off in Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday afternoon for the FA Cup. Lee Man got a 4:3 victory over BC Rangers.
Both teams started the game aggressively and Lee Man was the side producing more scoring chances, with Camargo Everton's attempt narrowly missing the mark in the 10th minute. Lee Man drew first blood in the 17th minute, as Camargo Everton was brought down in the penalty area, resulting in a spot-kick. Simionato Paulo Sergio remained composed and confidently converted the penalty, granting Lee Man a 1:0 lead.
Continuing their dominance, Lee Man added another goal to their tally in the 21st minute. Mitchel Paulissen's precise cross was met by the unmarked Simionato Paulo Sergio, who effortlessly headed the ball into the net, completing his brace and extending Lee Man's advantage to 2:0.
In the 27th minute, BC Rangers suffered another defensive setback. Simionato Paulo Sergio capitalized on a long pass from his teammate, embarking on a surging run down the right flank. He delivered a pinpoint cross to Givanilton, who was left unattended at the far post, allowing him to head the ball home and make it 3:0.
Refusing to surrender, BC Rangers mounted a comeback in the 33rd minute. Lam Ka Wai unleashed a powerful long-range strike from outside the penalty area, which was unintentionally handled by Jose Angel, leading to a penalty. Kanda Yumemi confidently dispatched the spot-kick, reducing the deficit to 1:3.
Buoyed by their resurgence, BC Rangers created several goal-scoring opportunities before the halftime whistle. In the 36th minute, Lam Hin Ting's audacious effort from outside the box narrowly sailed over the crossbar. Just three minutes later, Ibrahim's header from Kanda Yumeimi's precise cross failed to find the target.
However, in the 43rd minute, Liu Zhiyue was brought down inside the penalty area by Jose Anzu, earning Standard Rangers another penalty. Unfortunately,Kanda Yumemi, who stepped up once again, failed to convert the penalty as his effort sailing over the crossbar. As a result, Lee Man held onto their 3:1 lead going into halftime.
The second half saw BC Rangers seize control of the match and launch numerous attacking forays. Nevertheless, a defensive lapse resulted in another blow for BC Rangers. Camargo Everton's free kick from the right flank found its way into the penalty area, where Park Jongbum inadvertently directed the ball into his own net, increasing Lee Man's lead to 4:1.
BC Rangers finally reaped the rewards of their relentless efforts in the 69th minute. Ibrahim capitalized on Jose Angel's defensive error, unleashing a fierce shot from inside the penalty area, which nestled into the back of the net, making it 2:4.
Ibrahim continued to be a menace for Lee Man's defense, as he had another opportunity in the 76th minute. Utilizing his blistering pace, he left Lee Man's defenders in his wake and fired a shot from inside the penalty area, only to be denied by an impressive save from the goalkeeper. Just a minute later, Hayashi Ryota's powerful header from Kanda Yumemi's corner kick was thwarted by the goalkeeper's outstretched fingertips.
In the 81st minute, substitute Diego Eli was shown a straight red card for a violent foul, reducing Lee Man to ten men. Seizing the numerical advantage, BC Rangers swiftly narrowed the gap once again in the 82nd minute. Ibrahim capitalized on a loose clearance inside the box, executing a sensational acrobatic overhead kick to find the back of the net.
During the injury time, BC Rangers had a chance to level the scoreline, but Kanda Yumemi's free kick from the edge of the penalty area rattled off the crossbar.
In the end, Lee Man emerged victorious with a narrow 4:3 triumph over BC Rangers, securing their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.