Wofoo Tai Po triumph when it really matters in Hong Kong Premier League
First win of the season ensures relegation battle is far from over in local league
Wofoo Tai Po dug deep when it mattered to stave off relegation and record their first win of the season in beating fellow strugglers Wong Tai Sin 3-1 yesterday.
Jubilant Tai Po players and officials took a group photo after the match, acting as if they had just won a big competition - but that was not surprising. If they had lost, they would have been starting to contemplate life in the First Division, rather than the elite BOCG Life Premier League.
Tai Po, with just six points, are still at the bottom of the Premier League table, but now only two points behind Wong Tai Sin. With two matches left for both teams, the relegation battle is far from over.
We still need a miracle to stay in the top flight, but even if we don't make it in the end, the players should be proud of their performance
After extending their fight for survival in the clash at Hammer Hill Sports Ground, Tai Po coach Pau Ka-yiu said: "It was a spirited performance from the boys. They knew how important the result would be.
"We should have won our first league match of the season a long time ago, especially when playing against Yuen Long and Wong Tai Sin before but, unfortunately, we missed chances.
"We still need a miracle to stay in the top flight, but even if we don't make it in the end, the players should be proud of their performance today."
Pau paid tribute to veteran goalkeeper Chan Ka-ki, who played his first top-flight match for over three years. Chan, who turns 36 next week, mainly serves as Tai Po's goalkeeper trainer.
"We needed someone to stabilise the defence in such an important match and that's why we took a gamble by fielding the former Hong Kong international," said Pau. "He did not let us down with his vast experience at the back and almost keeping a clean sheet until the last 10 minutes."
Chen Jingde put Tai Po ahead after 12 minutes and goals from Ye Jia and Joao de Sales extended the lead in the second half before Su Yang headed home for Wong Tai Sin on 77 minutes. It got worse for Wong Tai Sin when midfielder Chan Siu-yuen was then sent off for two bookings.
Tai Po will face Kitchee and BC Rangers in their final two games while Wong Tai Sin take on YFCMD and Sun Pegasus.
In another match, BC Rangers lost 4-1 to Sun Pegasus at Kowloon Bay Park.
Meanwhile, Kitchee could be crowned inaugural Premier League champions early with a win over I-Sky Yeun Long today. An early celebration will depend on the result in the other game between second-placed Eastern and YFCMD.
