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Jonathan White

Age ain’t nothing but a number, they say. Fabio Lopes of Tin Shui Wai Pegasus is proof of that. 
The veteran became the oldest scorer in the Hong Kong Premier League on Sunday with the winner against Resources Capital.
Fabio, who retired in 2018 before reversing his decision, is 44. 


On a dark day for the sport overall, here's something to cheer about: Pegasus' Fábio Lopes became the oldest goal scorer in #hkpl history (and Hong Kong top flight history AFAIK) on Sunday at 44 years and 25 days. #hkfootball pic.twitter.com/S6CoEnBzWv
— Lester Chan (@enterchanman) April 19, 2021

His goal proved the winner in a 3-2 comeback victory for Pegasus.
Felipe Sa had put the new boys ahead in the first half. Nilson Dos Santos equalised before the interval but Resources Capital retook the lead early in the second half – Liu Yik-shing heading in a Cheng King-ho cross.
Hong Kong’s Alex Akande rejoins Kitchee after cryptic farewell to Chinese Super League’s Dalian Pro
Nilson dos Santos again levelled before Fabio’s late winner.
Another player defying Father Time is Kitchee’s Dejan Damjanovic.
The 39-year-old scored his first Kitchee hat-trick in their 3-1 win over Happy Valley, taking his tally to 10 goals in 10 games since arriving from South Korea.


 











 View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Dejan (@boske9)



Damjanovic is pushing the record of his friend Nikola Komazec who scored 12 in his first 13 games in all competitions when he joined South China in 2016.
The veteran’s hat-trick was met with a consolation by Happy Valley’s Wong Ho-yin, tapping in after Mikael Severo’s header was saved.
Age has been a subject of interest this week after the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) published their findings on under-21s playing time in world football.
Eastern drop points to make Kitchee Hong Kong Premier League title favourites
Happy Valley have given more than 25 per cent of minutes to under-21s, far and away the most in the HKPL. 
After Happy Valley – according to CIES – it is Pegasus who give the most minutes to young players in Hong Kong, at 7.6 per cent before this weekend.
Interestingly, the top two teams in Hong Kong – Kitchee and Eastern – are the two with the oldest average ages, both over 30 and the only teams to do so.


Welcome to the Dejan Premier League!@Boske9 the best striker in HKPL era?#HKPL#hkfootball pic.twitter.com/BI7Y1EVGs3
— HK Kickers (@hk_kickers) April 16, 2021

The latter of that pair kept the title race alive but made hard work of it in a 3-2 win over Lee Man.
It was Lee Man who went 2-0 up inside 15 minutes thanks to a Lee Hong-lim brace.
Eastern then passed up the chance to half the deficit when Fernando had a penalty saved and it remained 2-0 at half-time.
Hong Kong football’s Gigi Law sexism controversy worth it if change comes
Sandro pulled one back five minutes after the break with Chung Wai-keung levelling it up just before the hour.
The comeback was completed when Fernando followed up his own rebound with three minutes left but Eastern hearts were in mouths when Lee Man’s Manu Bleda rattled the crossbar in injury time.
Eastern are six points off Kitchee but have a game in hand. The teams will meet again once the league splits into two.


Victory is always better when you see players get the rewards on matchday for the constant repetition of basic skills in training. Never too old to improve or be developed in football! ⚽️🏟🔥👏 pic.twitter.com/pUv7ugCRwP
— Zesh Rehman (@Zesh_Rehman) April 18, 2021

In the weekend’s other game, Southern notched a welcome win over Rangers at Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground, which took them above the hosts in the table.
A Stefan Pereira brace, one in each half, put the visitors in control before a nervy finish following Rangers’ Augusto da Silva pulling a goal back in injury time
Southern boss Zesh Rehman tweeted after the win.
“Victory is always better when you see players get the rewards on match day for the constant repetition of basic skills in training. Never too old to improve or be developed in football!”


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Hong Kong Premier League: Kitchee survive late Lee Man fightback in 5-goal thriller

Hong Kong Premier League

Hong Kong Premier League: Kitchee’s Dejan Damjanovic scores hat-trick, Fabio oldest scorer at 44

Eastern’s Clayton dribbles away from Lee Man’s Man Bleda in the Hong Kong Premier League. Photo: HKFA

Eastern drop points to make Kitchee Hong Kong Premier League title favourites

Happy Valley’s Robert Odu and Southern’s Roberto Fronza battle for the ball in the Hong Kong Premier League meeting at Aberdeen Sports Ground. Photo: HKFA

Kitchee end Lee Man title dream as Eastern keep pace in Hong Kong Premier League

Kitchee’s Roberto Affonso stoops to challenge Lee Man’s Martins Givanilton in the Hong Kong Premier League. Photo: HKFA

Kitchee march on as Lee Man boss calls for VAR in Hong Kong Premier League

Lee Man’s Jonatan Acosta (left) evades a tackle from TSW Pegasus player Marquinhos. Photo: HKFA

Michael N’Dri bids adieu to Hong Kong Premier League with brace as leaders Eastern drop points

Lee Man line-up for their Hong Kong Premier League game against Resources Capital. Striker Michael N'Dri (back row, far left) retired after the game. Photo: Facebook/Lee Man

Eastern's Jared Lum plays a pass against Happy Valley at Mong Kok Stadium in the Hong Kong Premier League. Photo: HKFA

Hong Kong Premier League returns without fans, HKFA Senior Shield and FA Cup cancelled

Eastern goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai stops Kitchee striker Nikola Komazec, with Eastern central defender Clayton Afonso watching on in the Hong Kong Premier League match at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Sport

Hong Kong


Champions Kitchee stay top after first hat-trick from veteran Dejan Damjanovic, 39, while Fabio becomes oldest scorer at 44
‘Never too old to improve or be developed in football,’ says Zesh Rehman after Southern win



Champions Kitchee stay top after first hat-trick from veteran Dejan Damjanovic, 39, while Pegasus’ Fabio becomes oldest scorer at 44.


The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Kitchee SC