Olyroos ride their luck to clinch third place in the Lunar New Year Cup The Hong Kong League XI were beaten once again on penalties after coming back from two goals down to force a shootout to decide third place in the Lunar New Year Cup at Hong Kong Stadium last night. The Australia Olympic team looked home and dry when they led 2-0 with goals from Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite before Hong Kong launched a spectacular fightback, forcing the match into the penalty ritual, which has now become a habit for the local team. Substitute Festus Baise made it 2-1 and Keith Gumbs scored from the penalty spot with seven minutes remaining to make it 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes. But Lady Luck again failed to favour Hong Kong just as in their previous match against Jamaica. This time, Gerard Ambassa Guy had his penalty saved, while Australia were spot on with all five of their attempts. Hong Kong coach Casemiro Mior was disappointed with the result, but happy his side had given the Australians a good run for their money. 'We played hard and never gave up despite trailing 2-0,' Mior said. 'It's very disappointing to have lost but I am very satisfied with the performance in our two matches.' Led by 39-year-old skipper Lee Kin-wo, Hong Kong appeared the more enterprising of the two sides and could have opened the scoring in the first minute when Fladimir Freitas slipped into the Australians' penalty area before dragging a shot wide of the far post. The Olyroos made a string of changes to the team who failed to shine against China last time out, bringing on all six of their players who were involved in the A-league grand final between Melbourne and Adelaide on Sunday. The six also included striker Burns, who featured in the Melbourne Victory's 6-0 thrashing of Adelaide United, but with the effects of the long flight still lingering, the Olyroos took time to hit their stride. Hong Kong took the initiative from the start with Gumbs - the SAR's lone scorer against Jamaica - posing a threat upfront, but Hong Kong lacked the finishing to cause the visitors any alarm. Mior had decided not to start South China strike duo Au Wai-lun and Tales Schultz, but Hong Kong still dominated the opening exchanges with midfielder Christian Annan a threat on the left wing. Hong Kong probably had their best chance of opening the scoring in the 23rd minute when they were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area. The opportunity, though, was wasted when Vandre Monteiro blasted his shot straight into the wall. Australia then put themselves in front with an opportunistic goal in the 38th minute. Goalkeeper Domingos Chan failed to hold on to Mark Bridge's low shot and Burns reacted quickest, pouncing on the loose ball to score into an empty net. Hong Kong came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second half with Gumbs testing the reflexes of Olyroos goalkeeper Tando Velaphi with a venomous shot a minute upon resumption. But just as Hong Kong were making inroads, Australia got their second in the 66th minute. Djite picked up a short pass before unleashing a powerful drive that struck the top right corner of the net. Hong Kong began their fightback almost immediately with Baise scoring just two minutes after coming on for skipper Lee, rising high to head home Li Haiqiang's free kick. Gumbs then made it all square, scoring from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute after Annan was brought down by skipper Steve O'Dor.
