High-flying Eastern suffered their first defeat this season as a resurgent South China struck late to win 2-1 in a Hong Kong Premier League soccer match at Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday night.
South China’s Yuto Nakamura followed up to score after Eastern keeper Yapp Hung-fai cleared a shot from Sean Tse Ka-keung in the 76th minute.
Eastern’s Lo Chi-kwan equalised with a long-range shot in the 83rd minute, but a minute later Chan Siu-ki got on the end of a throw-in from Tse to head home and seal the match.
Caroliners’ coach Yeung Ching-kwong said the victory was crucial and praised the fighting spirit of his players.
The win moved South China up to second place on the Premier League table with 11 points from six games.
Sun Pegasus top the table with 16 points from seven games, with Eastern third on 10 points from five games.