Chiu sent off as Golden defeated

HONG KONG newcomers Golden again fell foul of local referees during their tour of Vietnam yesterday when they were beaten 2-1 by the country's national team.

International midfielder Chiu Chung-man, playing on loan from South China this season, received his marching orders after taking a kick at an opposition defender at a stage when his team were a goal ahead.

Chiu had been the subject of some controversial tackles by the Vietnamese but he was considered the offender when the referee gave him a yellow card for complaining too loudly about a bad tackle.

And four minutes from half-time the intimidation proved too much for Chiu, who retaliated and was immediately marched.

The decision incensed his teammates and there was a minor scuffle between them and their Vietnamese counterparts.

The local fans did not react too kindly to the incident and pelted Chiu with plastic bottles as he left the pitch.

Despite the defeat, Golden chairman Simon Wan Chi-lok said he considered his team had gained a moral victory.

''Our players produced a very good performance,'' said Wan. ''Shame on the referees.'' The game had started well enough for Golden with a goal coming in the 14th minute.

Former Rangers right-back Tang Chi-ming sent the ball into the penalty area and a Vietnamese defender failed to clear, leaving Scottish striker Lee Bullen with a simple finish.

Golden return to Hong Kong this evening with right back Tang, left-back Yau Wo-kan and sweeper Mike Duxbury carrying injuries and stopper Glenn Humphries suffering from illness.

Golden: Kan Shun-cheong; Tang Chi-ming (Szeto Man-chun 46), Mike Duxbury (Carlton Fairweather 54), Marlon Van der Sander, Fong Kin-wah; Law Ka-kwai (Poon Man-tik 66), Chiu Chung-man, Gary Williams, Lee Fuk-wing; Allen Bajkusa, Lee Bullen.