Golden rage at ref after Cup exit

GOLDEN launched a scathing attack on referee Fong Fat-wah as the First Division newcomers ended their campaign on a bitter note following a 3-1 defeat by champions Eastern in the San Miguel FA Cup semi-final at Mongkok Stadium yesterday.

Golden president Simon Wan Chi-lok blamed referee Fong for his club's first defeat by Eastern this season saying he failed to punish two incidents which subsequently led to the champions' second and third goals.

Eastern's second goal, scored by Ross Greer from a counter-attack in the 72nd-minute, should not have been allowed according to Wan because Golden should have been awarded a corner after Eastern centre-half Tim O'Shea had made a clearance when the ball was out of play.

And he blamed Fong's lack of moral judgment for Eastern's third five minutes later saying O'Shea had handled the ball inside his own area seconds before Golden defender Yan Wo-kan had put the ball into his own net.

Wan said: 'Every time we have to complain about the referees. Today's game, or I should say Hong Kong football, is being ruined by the poor standard of refereeing. All our players played extremely well today. If we hadn't missed so many chances in the first half, we could have beaten them.' Golden looked set to make a match of it despite missing three key players.

They were without outstanding winger Darren Currie, who decided to stay at West Ham, Dutch central defender Marlon Van Der Sander and talented local midfielder Chiu Chung-man, who were both suspended.

Golden created a fair number of chances in the first half but Eastern played to their usual high standard and opened the scoring in the 32nd minute through Lo Kai-wah's second goal of the season.

Eastern skipper Lee Kin-wo initiated the move by floating in a cross from the right which found winger Greer.

The ball was headed down by Greer to Paul Nixon, who first took a stab at the ball which was blocked and then Lo stepped in to sidefoot the ball home from the rebound.

Golden fought back in the opening minutes of the second half with Bosnian striker Alen Bajkusa's header sailing just over the bar.

But the 23-year-old hitman found his target just two minutes later with a superb opportunist goal.

Picking up Lee Bullen's pass deep in the Eastern area, Bajkusa twisted and turned before firing a 15-yard drive into the top right-hand corner of the net.

That goal seemed to boost Golden's confidence as they swarmed forward in search of more goals.

But just as things were looking good for Golden, Eastern hit back with Greer restoring his team's lead with a low shot which went in off the right-hand post.

Golden's hopes all but died after Eastern's third goal after defender Yau spectacularly headed into his own net attempting to clear Ricky Cheng Siu-chung's cross.

Meanwhile, Italian World Cup star Roberto Baggio's Hong Kong debut is in doubt. Baggio is expected to lead Italian champions Juventus against Frankwell at the Hong Kong Stadium on Wednesday, June 14 and then take to the field in Guangzhou two days later.

But yesterday reports from Guangzhou indicated that Baggio is injured - with Juventus facing the prospect of a US$50,000 fine if the talented playmaker fails to make the Hong Kong date.

TEAMS Eastern (4-4-2): Iain Hesford; Keung Heung-fai, Tim O'Shea, Ku Lim-chung, Ricky Cheng Siu-chung; Lo Kai-wah, Lee Kin-wo, Chiu Chun-ming, Ross Greer; Dale Tempest, Paul Nixon (Ian McParland 71).

Golden (4-4-2): Chan Hing-wing; Tang Chi-ming, Pang Kam-chuen, Mike Duxbury; Lee Fuk-wing, Mark Granger, Carlton Fairweather, Gary Williams; Alen Bajkusa, Lee Bullen.