Hong Kong champions Shaheen came up short again as they failed to wrest the Super League title from holders Guangdong, who won yesterday's Grand Final 2-1 at King's Park yesterday. Shaheen were beaten in the semi-final of last year's play-offs by Hong Kong Football Club, but after their 10-0 thrashing of the same side on Saturday, they looked on course for a rare league and Super League double against a visiting Guangdong side missing at least five players who were called up for international duty. However, lady luck deserted the Hong Kong club as Guangdong edged in front at the break to lead 1-0 before Alfonso Cordero equalised a minute into the second half from a penalty corner to give the local side hope. The visitors pulled ahead again 10 minutes from time after scoring from one of their few scoring opportunities and they never looked back, keeping intact their record as best side in the region in a competition that also includes the SAR's premier clubs and neighbours Macau. Shaheen captain Akhbar Ali was crestfallen after watching his side fall once again to Guangdong. As Guangdong are considered too strong for the local league and because of travelling difficulties, Guangdong were invited to play only in the play-offs. Shaheen created numerous chances, but the predominantly Pakistani side lacked the luck and the finish against a resolute Guangdong defence, which refused to buckle. 'We had a great chance to score in the 10th minute when we were awarded a penalty stroke but Arif's effort was saved. We had more than 20 shots on goal, but the ball was like floating in the air, on the goal-line. It just refused to go in. Luck was not there,' said Akhbar. 'We were playing in their half for about fifty to 60 per cent of the time and they created only a few chances.' Hong Kong Hockey Association vice-president Billy Dillon thought Shaheen should have won the match. 'They had three penalty corners in the first half, which they fluffed and they even had a penalty stroke which was saved. Shaheen should have won today's final hands down,' Dillon said. Shaheen can look forward to playing Club in the Holland Cup final on Sunday as defending champions. Shaheen, the 14-times league champions, will be hoping to extend their dominance over the Sports Road side, who are struggling with injuries to key players.
