Hong Kong Premier League leaders Kitchee suffer first loss since October
- Paulo Simionato fires Wofoo Tai Po to victory to set up a tight title run-in, with Kitchee leading Lee Man by two points at the top
- Two of the under-23 players banned in connection with an alcohol-fuelled rampage in Japan in 2021 are retained in Hong Kong’s squad for this month’s friendlies
Wofoo Tai Po pulled off arguably the biggest upset of the Hong Kong Premier League season by stunning champions Kitchee 2-1 on Sunday.
Brazilian forward Paulo Simionato struck in each half at Tai Po Sports Ground before Ruslan Mingazov hit one back for Kitchee in the second period.
It meant Kitchee failed to take advantage of their rivals Lee Man and Eastern dropping points in their 1-1 draw the previous day.
The champions also had centre half Andy Russell sent off in the closing stages after some heated exchanges between the sides in front of an 800-strong crowd.
Tai Po defender Gabriel Moreira fell to the ground and referee Ho Wai-sing showed Russell a red card.
It was only a second defeat for Kitchee this season, and their first since October’s 1-0 loss to Lee Man, who still trail them by two points at the top of the table with three games left apiece. Their meeting in the season’s final round on May 7 may prove a title decider.