Wong's golden goal sees Caroliners crash out of Cup
Yee Hope striker Andy Wong Chi-keung played through the pain barrier to score the winner in his team's exciting 3-2 sudden-death victory over raging favourites South China in the Smart-soccer.com FA Cup semi-finals last night.
Wong's golden goal in the 113th minute was a classic as he sent his team to their first Cup final in the club's short history.
Trapping the ball from the right, the 29-year-old former Eastern player played a dummy before crashing home a low hard shot to start the celebrations before a crowd of 4,222 spectators at Mongkok Stadium.
Amazingly, Wong is still nursing a serious foot injury picked up during Yee Hope's first-round FA Cup triumph over Sun Hei last month.
'My foot has been bothering me since injuring it against Sun Hei. That night, I remember I couldn't even take down any food. I kept vomiting and I just felt dreadful. Tonight, I needed to take pain killers to alleviate the pain,' said Wong.
South China opened the score in the 26th minute through winger Chan Chi-hong before Andy Roddie equalised two minutes later with a curling shot.
Gerry Laterza put South China back in front in the 38th minute but defender Steve Watson put his team back on level terms with a header in the 88th minute moments after South China defender Yau Kin-wai was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Wong then scored one of the most important goals of his career nine minutes into the second half of extra time to make the final score 3-2.
'The ball came to me really nicely and I just trapped it and then turned to score. Fortunately, the ball went in and I am just glad we're now in the final,' said Wong. 'Everybody put in 100 per cent and I am especially pleased that the younger members of the squad played exceptionally well.
'I have to see the doctor tomorrow and I will have a better indication as to whether I will be able to play in Sunday's final,' said Wong.
Yee Hope will play reigning league champions Happy Valley in Sunday's final after the latter defeated Instant-Dict 4-2.
Bosnian Alen Bajkusa and Brazilian forward Tomy Giacomeli both scored a brace as the club condemned Instant-Dict to another season of mediocrity.
Instant-Dict were desperate to turn their season around but Happy Valley were far too strong for them.
Instant-Dict captain Dejan Antonic scored from the spot after Rochi Putiray was brought down, while Yiu Hok-man hit the other for the Dickies.
