HKFC set up title clash with Yuen Long
Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) scored a big win over Kwun Tong in the semi-finals of the premier under-15 football league at Shing Mun Valley Sports Ground in Tsuen Wan.
HKFC, coached by former South China Athletic Association player Anto Grabo, made maximum use of their physical advantages and better tactics to beat Kwun Tong 3-0 in the Manchester United Premier Cup.
HKFC entered the semi-finals with six wins and one draw in preliminary league action. Although they played aggressively from the start, they failed to score in the first half.
But in the 48th minute, HKFC were awarded a penalty which was converted by midfielder Gavin Hadley. This was followed by a goal from forward Sebastian Page in the 58th minute. Kwun Tong tried hard to reduce the deficit, but their fate was sealed when HKFC's Thomas Owens scored his side's third goal in the 91st minute.
In the other semi-final, Yuen Long - coached by former Hong Kong Footballer of the Year Leung Sui-wing - edged out North District 1-0.
Thanks to Yuen Long goalkeeper Ng Wai-kit, who saved two powerful shots from North District's Au Kwong-lai and Chu Pak-tik in the 16th and 21st minutes respectively, the teams ended the first half 0-0.
After the break, Yuen Long launched a series of counter-attacks, with left wing Lo Chi-hin acting as their play-maker. And their persistence paid off in the 65th minute, when Chi-hin scored the game's only goal.
HKFC and Yuen Long will battle it out for the championship at Mongkok Stadium on March 21.
The league champions will qualify for the Asia finals in Malaysia in May. The Malaysian tournament will act as a regional qualifier for the under-15 Premier Cup World Finals, which is due to be held at Old Trafford - the home ground of English Premier League giants Manchester United - in late July.
