Wong Tai Sin grab first points in 'derby' scrap
Debutants Wong Tai Sin scored an emphatic 3-2 victory over fellow newly promoted side Wofoo Tai Po in a heated "district team derby" on Sunday as they collected their first three points in the BOCG Life Premier League.
In another match at Mong Kok Stadium, defending champions Kitchee struggled to beat I-Sky Yuen Long 2-1, the win coming courtesy of a late goal by in-form winger Xu Deshuai in the 79th minute.
Widely considered one of the weakest sides in the top flight, Wong Tai Sin put in a spirited performance after suffering two consecutive defeats.
Neither team can afford losing as both are considered weak teams that have to battle for their future
Winger Lai Yiu-cheong struck the winner goal with 15 minutes left when the score was locked at 2-2. His cross from the right looked innocuous but a slight deflection off a Tai Po defender pushed the ball over goalkeeper Liang Yuhao to seal the victory at Tai Po Sports Ground.
"Neither team can afford losing as both are considered weak teams that have to battle for their future," said Wong Tai Sin coach Poon Man-chun. "We badly need a win to bolster our confidence after two successive defeats.
"In the end, the players did not let me down as we fought from one early goal down to take the lead and despite being level later, we kept trying and then the hard work paid off. If the boys can keep the same fighting spirit, we won't be worrying too much about our future."
Home team Tai Po enjoyed a flying start when Chen Jinde scored an opportunist's goal in the third minute after a communication error between Wong Tai Sin goalkeeper Cheung Wai-hong and defender Su Yang.