Coach-less Tai Po pull off shock win over Sun Hei
Struggling WoFoo Tai Po, who are still without a coach after parting ways with Tim Bredbury last week, pulled off a surprising 2-1 victory over unbeaten Convoy Sun Hei in the Coolpoint Ventilation First Division League at Mong Kok Stadium yesterday.
Former Hong Kong international Bredbury had his two-year contract with the club terminated by mutual consent last Tuesday after just five matches of the campaign. But the players hardly missed a beat as, under the guidance of Bredbury's assistant Chan Ho-yin, they defeated the champions of two years ago.
Tai Po were beaten by Lanwa Redbull 4-2 in their previous match, one of the reasons for Bredbury's exit, but manager Chan Chi-chiu was pleased with how they performed yesterday.
'We lost to a lowly team in the previous match, but today we beat a top side,' said the Tai Po boss. 'It proves how close the teams are this season.
'We showed good team spirit today and the players gave their full support to the new coach. We now look forward to a top-five finish in the league, with a view to doing well in the knockout competitions.'
After a barren first half in which neither side impressed, speedy flanker Christian Annan drew first blood for the New Territories side when he found the target following a quick counter-attack from the left in the 67th minute.
Brazilian midfielder Joel Bertoti Padilha added to the tally with a free kick from the edge of the penalty area in the 82nd minute. Although Sun Hei striker Giovane da Silva cut the deficit through a penalty kick three minutes later, it was too late to change the outcome.
In the other match of yesterday's double-header, Kitchee came from behind to beat Bulova Rangers 3-1.
'We scored three quality goals today, but at the same time, our defence was still vulnerable,' said Kitchee boss Ken Ng Kin. 'We are still looking for a reliable centre-half from overseas to strengthen our defence.'
Kitchee had goals from Chan Siu-ki, Julius Akosah and James McKee after Liang Zhicheng had given Rangers a 10th-minute lead.
