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Kevin Kung

It was a case of so close, yet so far for YFCMD yesterday as they came to the brink of appearing in their first cup final before losing a penalty shoot-out to Kitchee in the FA Cup semi-final at Mong Kok Stadium after a goalless 120 minutes.
Lee Chi-kin, YFCMD coach, said he was likely to have sleepless nights as the drama "keeps recurring in my mind".
Two months ago Lee's side stunned Sun Pegasus in the FA Cup first round.

The score was 4-4 after four rounds of penalty kicks yesterday and Kitchee's Daniel Rodriguez failed to net in the final round, which meant YFCMD would win if their veteran, Kenji Fukuda, struck home.
But Fukuda was denied when Kitchee keeper Guo Jianqiao saved his shot. Kitchee's Tsang Kam-to scored and YFCMD were eliminated when Mamadou Hady Barry missed his shot.
"Playing in a cup final has been our goal," said Lee, who couldn't hide his disappointment. "We were just a step away. Penalty shoot-outs are cruel."
Neither side could break the deadlock in 90 minutes. Kitchee had opportunities, including a long-range effort from Matthew Lam, which was tipped onto the crossbar by keeper Chiu Yu Ming early in first half.
YFCMD were well organised throughout the match, but failed to convert two good chances.
Extra time saw Kitchee reduced to nine men when Matthew Lam and Kim Taemin were sent off after collecting second yellow cards, but the scoreline remained unchanged.
Lee said: "The team did well and delivered the game plan. And that's why we forced our rivals to commit fouls to stop our attacks. Next time, we just need to be better and try to finish it off before a shoot-out is needed."
In the final, Kitchee will face the winners of the clash between South China and Eastern at Mong Kok Stadium at 3pm today.


Kitchee scrape past unlucky YFCMD to reach FA Cup final

YFCMD pushed Kitchee all the way. Photo: HKFA.com

Kitchee will face Eastern in the final. Photo: HKFA.com

Andy Naegelein scores first ever goal for Eastern to send them into FA Cup final

Andy Naegelein shields the ball against South China. Photo: Xinhua

Eastern forward Andy Naegelein avoids a dangling foot as he goes for a header against South China. Photos: SCMP Pictures




Eastern striker Dylan Macallister rides a tackle by South China's Bojan Belisic during their FA Cup semi-final clash. 

Sport

Hong Kong

Football

It was a case of so close, yet so far for YFCMD yesterday as they came to the brink of appearing in their first cup final before losing a penalty shoot-out to Kitchee in the FA Cup semi-final at Mong Kok Stadium after a goalless 120 minutes


Kitchee scrape past unlucky YFCMD to reach FA Cup final

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}So near yet so far for minnows

So near yet so far for minnows