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SCMP Reporter

Citizen were left to rue a wasted opportunity to clinch maximum points yesterday when they were held to a goalless draw by nine-man Eastern in the Coolpoint Ventilation First Division at Mong Kok Stadium.
Youngster Lau Lim-yat received his second yellow card for a tackle on Citizen striker Marlon in the 68th minute and six minutes later, Szeto Man-chun suffered the same fate - a second booking and an early shower.
'We are more used to launching fast counter-attacks when under pressure', said Citizen's administrative director Calvin Pui Hoi-wan. 'It's not our style to pressure our opponents for goals.'
With veteran Lee Kin-wo serving the last of a three-match suspension, Eastern deployed five under-20 players and focused on defence throughout the match.
'We have conceded 10 goals in the last three matches,' said coach Chan Hiu-ming. 'Defence, therefore, was our top priority.
'However, we did have plans to attack more in the final 20 minutes, but the two sending-offs ruled out that option.'
Fourway also had to settle for just one point after a goalless draw against NTR WF Tai Po at the Tai Po Sports Ground.
The home side had defender Chan Sze-wing sent off 20 minutes into the second half for a foul on Fourway striker Edson Cardoso, who  had only the goalkeeper to beat.
Despite controlling much of the match, Fourway failed to break down a stubborn Tai Po defence. Striker Caleb Ekwenugo had an effort ruled offside by the linesman in the second half, while Paulo Miranda's powerful long-range shots tested the Tai Po keeper on a number of times.
'We were in total control of the match, especially in the second half. We must improve our finishing if we want to win matches,' said Fourway director Philip Lee Fai-lap. 'The coaching staff must find a solution to this as soon as possible.'
Meanwhile, TSW Pegasus will go all out to beat struggling TM Progoal at Hong Kong Stadium today following their disastrous substitution blunder against South China in midweek. Pegasus had seven foreign players on the field for four minutes of the South China match, when only six overseas players are allowed.
Pegasus coach Ricardo Rambo was facing the sack over the blunder, which will likely cost his side the 3-2 victory, but a petition by the players has saved his job for now.
South China take on First Division newcomers Mutual in today's other match, also at Hong Kong Stadium.
The Caroliners will be hoping to claim all three points to close the gap on Kitchee in the standings. South China are nine points adrift of the leaders but have two games in hand.
Leaky at the back
The number of goals Eastern have conceded in their previous three matches. But Citizen still couldn't get one past them yesterday: 10



Goal-shy Citizen held by nine-man Eastern