TSW Pegasus set up a clash with defending champions South China by thrashing Sheffield United 5-0 in the League Cup opening round at Mong Kok Stadium yesterday.
The encounter should be heated as the last match, which Pegasus won, ended up with the Caroliners being handed the three points. Pegasus won the league clash 3-2 last November, but the result was reversed when Pegasus were found guilty of fielding an illegal overseas player.
'South China have made massive progress since the appointment of [Korean team manager] Kim Pan-gon [in December] and it will be very difficult to beat them,' said Pegasus captain Cheng Siu-wai, who scored the fifth goal yesterday. 'But even if the chances are slim, we'll go for victory.'
Japanese forward Yuto Nakamura, a youth team product of J-League side Urawa Red Diamonds, drew first blood for Pegasus in the 12th minute, before adding to the tally with a well-taken free kick just before the half-time whistle. It was Nakamura's fifth goal in five matches since joining Pegasus last month.
Three more goals were added in the second period, including Xiao Xiao's own goal and a penalty from Manoel Santos.
In the other first-round match yesterday, Edson Minga scored a late goal in stoppage time to give Fourway a 2-1 win over Happy Valley. Fourway will tackle Kitchee in the next round.
