During this week’s Premier League break due to the World Cup Qualifiers, two clubs were nevertheless given the honor to kick off Hong Kong’s newest competition, the Sapling Cup. Both teams were required to field at least two U22 players. Southern decided to start with Wang Hecun (19 years) and Chan Kong Pan (19 years), who had already gained experience as substitutes during regular Premier League games this season. Yuen Long, on the other hand, gave the opportunity to two newcomers: Together with second goalkeeper Felix Luk (21 years) Law Chun Ting made his first appearance for his club.
Southern District took on Yuen Long in front of just 465 people at Mong Kok Stadium. With chances on both sides, the game remained relatively balanced during the first half. In fact, it took until the 70th minute, when Southern player Diego Garrido Garcia eventually scored the first game of the match. Yuen Long threw now everything in front, but remained unlucky, especially after a free-kick goal was disallowed. Southern made use of the open space and waited for counter-attack opportunities. And in the 93rd minute, Shay Spitz put the ball in the back of the net, following an unfortunate mistake by young Yuen Long keeper Felix Luk. Just one minute later Jose Manuel Cruz Orozco pulled one back for Yuen Long, but it was – once more – too little too late.
The next Sapling Cup match will be between Eastern and Kitchee on October 21st at Mong Kok Stadium (Kick Off: 14:30).
