HK U23 met up with RCFC in Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon for the 2023-24 Boc Life Hong Kong Premier League clash. HKU 23 beat RCFC by 2:1.
HK U23 met up with RCFC in Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon for the 2023-24 Boc Life Hong Kong Premier League clash. HKU 23 beat RCFC by 2:1.
HK U23 hit the ground running and their aggressive play was rewarded just eight minutes into the match. A pinpoint pass from Lam Chi Fung set up Lam Hok Hei for a decisive run into the penalty box. With a swift right-footed shot, Lam Hok Hei found the net, putting HK U23 in the driver's seat with a 1:0 lead.
Not to be outdone, Resources Capital rallied and made a spirited attempt to bounce back. At the 21st minute mark, a long-range attempt from Umeda Kotaro, following a pass from Moon Chi Sung, failed to find the mark.
Around the 33rd minute, Resources Capital continued to press on. A corner kick from Lee Yoonkwon saw Kim Sang Woo's close-range header sail high, leaving the scoreline unchanged. The first half concluded with HK U23 maintaining their 1:0 lead.
The second half saw Hong Kong U23 continue to dominate the game. Their efforts bore fruit at the 57th minute when Deng Yan Zhen's corner kick from the left resulted in an unfortunate own goal by Umeda Kotaro, extending Hong Kong U23's lead to 2:0.
HK U23 had another golden opportunity at the 63rd minute when Lam Hok Hei had a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper, but his subsequent shots were impressively saved.
Resources Capital retaliated at the 68th minute with an offense led by Lee Yoonkwon. His left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area was initially deemed a goal but was later disallowed by VAR due to a prior handball foul.
Despite being two goals down, Resources Capital showed resilience. At the 83rd minute, Ki Sze Ho took advantage of a poor clearance, launching a powerful left-footed shot from the top of the penalty area that was spectacularly saved by the goalkeeper.
In the final stages of the match, Resources Capital managed to claw one back. Kim Hyunho, upon receiving a pass from Lee Yoonkwon, skillfully shot the ball into the net from a tight angle in the penalty area.
The final whistle saw HK U23 successfully fend off Resources Capital’s challenges, sealing a 2:1 victory and capturing all crucial three points.