Hong Kong punished for poor finishing against Guangdong in Interport Cup

Guangdong punished Hong Kong's poor finishing, winning the first leg of the Interport Cup 1-0 against the run of play in Huizhou yesterday.

In the end, Hong Kong were sucker punched when Lu Lin, a striker for China Super League side Guangzhou R&F, scored the only goal midway through the second half.

"I don't think we would have lost the match if I had scored from one of those [chances]" lamented South China midfielder Lo. "I'm not even sure how I missed them. Maybe I lacked the confidence in the crucial moment."

One of the young guns deployed by coach Kim Pan-gon following an impressive Asian Games campaign in September, Lo had only the Guangdong goalkeeper to beat after coming on for forward Lam Hok-hei.

But he shot wide first time from eight yards out before another close range attempt was saved by the goalkeeper. The third chance went begging as his weak shot went straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.

Coach Kim said he felt Hong Kong had an improved second half and should have scored against the home side as the Guangdong players, who are still in the off-season, lacked stamina.