A MOMENT of class put Sing Tao on the road to a 2-0 victory over Kui Tan in a scrappy and error-strewn Emperor Exchange Challenge Shield first-round tie at Mongkok Stadium last night. After a goalless first half, Sing Tao brought the game to life in the 63rd minute with a fine solo goal from midfielder Chu Yue-tai, who joined Sing Tao from South China last summer. Collecting a pass from left-winger Alan Chan Tsz-kong, Chu broke clear in the inside left channel and calmly chipped the ball over advancing Kui Tan goalkeeper Yam Wai-hung from the edge of the penalty area. This much-needed goal opened up the game for both sides, but it was Sing Tao who made the most of the chances that came their way, adding a second in the final minute of the game through right-winger Lau Chi-yuen after more good approach play from the pacy Chan. Sing Tao, Shield winners two seasons ago, now meet Happy Valley in the quarter-finals at Mongkok on Friday. Sing Tao skipper John Moore, who missed the game with a hand injury suffered against Eastern on October 12, believes the club are strong enough to win one of the three domestic trophies. ''At the start of the season, I said to the lads that our aim must be to win at least one of the Cups and finish in the top three in the league, top four at least,'' said the former Sunderland striker. ''Eastern look like being the team to beat again this season and we gave them a hard game before losing 2-1. ''We tend to be Eastern's bogey team - and anything can happen in a Cup game.'' Moore will be unavailable for Friday's quarter-final tie against Happy Valley, but hopes to be given the all-clear by a doctor on Monday. His target is to play in the league game against Kitchee on Sunday, November 14. As for last night's tie, Moore said: ''It was very difficult for us because the pitch was horrible. ''Both teams played tightly and marked well and Kui Tan showed a lot of commitment and a good attitude. They are a difficult side to wear down, but I always felt we were not playing to our full potential.'' Sing Tao certainly missed Moore up front, where his strike partner, six-goal leading scorer John Clare, was well marked by Kui Tan defender Richard Webb. The first goal came in the 63rd minute. Kui Tan skipper Billy Bone gave the ball away in midfield and left-winger Chan pushed a pass through to Chu, who finished in style. Kui Tan had to rely on set-pieces for their goal-scoring chances, with the strong-running Derek Hunter marked out of the game by Ian Docker. Hunter's partner in attack, John Bottomley, came close with a couple of headers before Sing Tao made the game safe. Chan sped away down the left flank and his cross was turned in by Lau, who had missed a much easier chance four minutes earlier.
