Sapling Cup: Eastern beat Happy Valley to hold all Hong Kong cups
- Eduardo Praes and Jared Lum goals secure first Sapling Cup win for Eastern with 2-0 win over Happy Valley at Mong Kok Stadium
- FA Cup and Senior Shield cancelled this season in response to Covid-19 so only Hong Kong Premier League left to play for
Eastern continued their dominance of Hong Kong football’s cup competitions with a 2-0 Sapling Cup final win over fellow Hong Kong Premier League side Happy Valley at Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday night.
The goals came from Eduardo Praes and Jared Lum, the second a fine finish from outside the box with less than 10 minutes to go, killing off a spirited Valley fightback under the floodlights.
Joao Emir was the provider for Praes in the first half when the defender nodded in a free kick off the far upright after 38 minutes to take the lead.
It had been an end-to-end opening period, which had seen Valley’s Robert Odu appear to have scored with a drive from outside the box that ruffled the side netting.
Odu was a livewire in the first half, tormenting the Eastern defence and going close to a wonderful solo goal with a run from halfway before being crowded out.
In the end, Eastern did more than enough to win another cup final – their third in a row – though Valley gave a good account of themselves in a game that they were never meant to play.