The final of the All Hong Kong Schools Jing Ying Football Tournament was a real battle of wits and skills. Held at Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground last Sunday, it featured Yan Chai Hospital Tung Chi Ying Memorial Secondary School and Beacon College - two teams that had reached the final with spectacular performances. Tung Chi Ying scored 15 goals in their three previous matches while Beacon scored 16.
Right off the bat, Tung Chi Ying launched into their trademark free-flowing attacks. Beacon foiled their efforts with a spirited defence. Neither team could create a clear shot on goal, although Beacon did score a goal, which was ruled offside, near the end of the first half.
The two teams slugged it out, playing fairly throughout. The score remained 0-0 after full time so it was time for a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
Tung Chi Ying players were on the mark with all five shots, but Beacon missed one penalty. The championship title went to Tung Chi Ying for the fifth time in all. Players on both teams were shedding tears - either of joy or of sadness.
'We experienced a similar situation at the past two Jing Ying tournaments [of going to a penalty shootout],' noted Tung Chi Ying captain Chan Sai-chung. 'We lost out both times previously, but not this time!'
Understandably, Lee Chi-yan, Beacon College's captain, was less upbeat. 'Last year we played for third place and lost,' he said. 'This year we made it all the way to the final. It's hard to accept the result.' He added that several players, like goalkeeper Tsang Man-fai, were instrumental at keeping Tung Chi Ying attackers at bay throughout the game.
The team's coach Choi Ip-fai also praised his players' performance. Although Beacon lost the title, the school's players grabbed two individual awards. Forward Iu Wai became the tournament's top scorer with his 8 goals. 'This is my last Jing Ying Tournament. I am delighted to have this award, but it still cannot compare to lifting the championship trophy,' he said.
