Newcastle United endured another penalty ritual but came out on top this time as they edged local side Kitchee on penalties after battling to a 1-1 draw in last night's United Christian Medical Service Charity Challenge.
The Magpies won 7-6 on sudden-death penalties following the draw after 90 minutes at Hong Kong Stadium to end their Asian tour on a winning note. In midweek they had lost 4-2 in a shootout against the Thai national side after a 1-1 draw in the first match of their tour.
This time Sir Bobby Robson's men trudged off the pitch winners and they had little-known 23-year-old Northern Irish defender Aaron Hughes to thank when he scored the decisive penalty after Kitchee's Cheung Kin-fung had his shot saved by Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given.
Robson was pleased his side had ended the Asian tour with a trophy, saying it was good experience for the season next month.
'We played in extremely difficult conditions. It was very warm and the fitness of our players stood up. The players actually lasted and were fresher than I thought they would be,' Robson said.
'Everybody played their part and we used the whole squad which was important. Some had to play longer than others but those who had to stuck at it. The fitness levels were excellent - not tip-top and but well on the way.
'I think the game died towards the end but that's normal because the heat and the humidity took a lot of the Hong Kong players as well. But we finished the game just as strong. It has been a good workout for us and I am very pleased with the players.'
