Detinho sparks stunning comeback for Citizen in Lunar New Year Cup
Citizen drafted in players from Ecuadorian side Cuenca to strengthen their side at the AET Lunar New Year Cup, but it was a veteran of Hong Kong football who set up a stunning comeback over fancied Russian Super League side FC Krylia Sovetov Samara on the opening day at Hong Kong Stadium.
Hong Kong favourite Detinho, who turned 40 in September, turned back the clock with a virtuoso goal that Lionel Messi would have been proud of.
Citizen Cuenca United were 2-0 down with a minute to go when Detinho received a cross from Cuenca's impressive midfielder Alejandro Frezzotti, chested it down with his back to the goal, swivelled and smacked in a volley from 25 yards.
It was amazing. It doesn't happen a lot in football where you score two goals in two minutes, and that too right at the end, and draw a match. But it happens and we are very happy it did today
Moments later he was brought down 40 yards out, and Citizen's new Serbian attacking midfielder Marko Krasic hammered in a low shot which took a deflection to level the scores.
Citizen won the shoot-out 4-2 to enter Monday's final against Portugal's SC Olhanense.
"It was amazing. It doesn't happen a lot in football where you score two goals in two minutes, and that too right at the end, and draw a match. But it happens and we are very happy it did today," said coach Roberto Gomez.
"Detinho is a very good striker. He took his chance superbly. I guess all his experience paid off and it was a great result, especially for the fans celebrating Chinese New Year," Gomez added.
Jubilant Citizen's executive director Calvin Pui Ho-wang said: "We wanted to be competitive in this tournament and that is why we brought in players from Ecuador. But I'm very happy to see Detinho score."
Olhanense also needed penalties to get past FC Tokyo in the earlier game.
