Hong Kong international Law Chun-bong left Mongkok clutching a match ball last night after his hat-trick earned South China a 3-1 victory over Xiangxue and set-up a potentially thrilling four-way playoff on Sunday to decide the two League Cup semi-finalists from Group B.
'My first!' exclaimed the 23-year-old. 'I'm taking this home for my family'. Law's three goals coupled with a 1-1 draw between Sunray Cave and Buler Rangers means that any of the teams involved on Sunday can go through. Group leaders Citizen and South China will both have the advantage of needing only a draw when they face Sunray and Rangers respectively in the last round of group matches at the Hong Kong Stadium.
'We have an even chance of reaching the semi-finals,' exclaimed Sunray coach Zhang Bing. 'Four teams have a chance. Both matches will be very tight!'
The Caroliners put themselves in an excellent position with a convincing win over Xiangxue, who finished bottom of the group with four defeats.
Law Chun-bong put the result beyond doubt within the opening quarter of the game, tapping home in the fifth minute after Au Wai-lun's diving header rebounded down off the crossbar and heading home unmarked from Chan Chi-hong's cross 15 minutes later. He had three more excellent chances before flicking home another header from a near post corner in the 82nd minute, and still could have had four before Wang Chen grabbed a consolation in added time.
'This game is so good for us,' Law said, betraying the crisis of confidence in the Caroliners' camp. 'South China has a great history and is very proud club. People haven't been happy to see South China down so low. So this is good. It was an important game, one we couldn't lose. We needed to win for our confidence.'