Outlying island school teams often struggle to compete in sporting events as they have fewer students to choose from compared to bigger rival schools from Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
Yet this season, Cheung Chau Government Secondary School have finally qualified for the prestigious Hong Kong Schools Jing Ying Football Tournament - a knockout competition for the city's top 32 secondary school teams.
Cheung Chau secured a place after reaching the Grade A boys' final in the Tsuen Wan and Islands inter-school competition. Last season they came third - losing to champions HKFEW Wong Cho Bau Secondary School in the semi-finals.
'After missing out last time, everyone was dreaming of reaching this season's Jing Ying tournament,' says goalkeeper Peter Chan Yik-tsun, a Form Five student. 'We were leading 2-1 against YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College in the semi-final, but they equalised only seconds before the final whistle.'
A mix-up between Peter and his defenders led to the goal. 'I was very upset.' Peter says.
In the penalty shootout for a place in the final, KC Ng Kai-chung, a Form Six student, who plays as a forward, took Peter's place in goal. 'I was still confident of victory at that time, so I suggested that I go in goal for the penalties,' KC says.
Cheung Chau scored all four of the penalties, and an inspired KC saved two penalties, as they won the shootout 4-1.
