Hong Kong FA Cup: Charlie Scott’s late Boxing Day gift sends Kitchee to the final after victory over 10-man Rangers
- The former Manchester United midfielder scores three minutes from time with a powerful low drive from outside the box to break Rangers’ hearts
- Kitchee have reached their seventh FA Cup final since the 2011 season and will take on defending champions Eastern on Lunar New Year’s Day
Former Manchester United youth player Charlie Scott gave Kitchee the best possible present on Boxing Day, scoring with three minutes left as his team edged 10-man BC Ranger 1-0 in their FA Cup semi-final.
On a cold and rainy Sunday afternoon at Mong Kok Stadium, the second-half substitute scored almost with his first touch, receiving a pass from Jose Baena before launching a powerful low drive from 28 metres out that gave Rangers goalkeeper Leung Hing-kit little chance.
Before that, Kitchee were struggling to impose themselves but thanks to Scott’s late strike, the league champions have advanced to their seventh FA Cup final since the 2011 season having won six of them. They will meet Eastern Long Lions in the final on February 1, which is Lunar New Year’s Day.
“It’s nice to come off the bench and help the team win,” midfielder Scott, who joined from Happy Valley in the summer, said. “I did one pass and one shot that went into the net luckily. Credit to Rangers as they made it a difficult game for us. Obviously it’s a good day and a nice present.
“We are now in the final against Eastern, which is going to be a difficult game and the fans will look forward to it.”