Eastern Long Lions beat R&F to win Hong Kong FA Cup and claim a place in AFC Cup
- Clayton Afonso and Everton Camargo strike to give Lee Chi-kin’s team victory
Eastern Long Lions moved a step closer to the domestic treble this season after lifting the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over R&F in a final played behind closed doors at Hong Kong Stadium on Monday.
Goals by Clayton Afonso, a header following a Wong Wai corner kick, and Everton Camargo’s half-volley, both in the second half, was the difference as Eastern collected their first major silverware in four seasons.
They are also chasing the league championship and the Senior Shield in what remains of this season.
“The FA Cup is part of our plan from the beginning of the season because the champions can represent Hong Kong in the 2021 regional cup competition and we are so happy to have made it,” said manager Lee Chi-kin.
Football venues in Hong Kong remain closed but local Premier League fixtures can go ahead.
“It was a tough game for the boys against a strong opponent and the difficult weather but thanks to their unselfish work and determination, we came out the eventual winners.”
Eastern, who last clinched a league and cup double in 2016 as Premier League and Senior Shield champions, will now take on Lee Man in the same cup final at Mong Kok Stadium on Friday for their second title of the season.
They are also leading the Premier League table with 15 points from eight games. With two matches still to play, they hold a slender one-point advantage over R&F who have a game in hand.
Lee attributed their success to the depth of the squad and minor personnel changes after an extension of the season due to coronavirus outbreak.
“We have gathered some very good players and there have been little change of the players from the beginning of the season,” he said. “Of course the Senior Shield will be our next immediate target which we must put aside the happy mood and focus on it as the final is not too far away.
“The league championship is not under our total control as we may still lose it even if we won the two remaining games but we will definitely give our best to complete a marvellous season.”
Goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai, a member of the “double-winning team of 2016, savoured the victory. “It has been a long time since we last stood on the champions podium,” said the Hong Kong international. “There have been some changes from previous seasons as the players are mentally stronger than before with a strong determination to win.
“The cup result definitely comes as a timely booster ahead of the Senior Shield final and the remaining league campaign. We need some good recovery in the next couple of days after such a demanding game before we get back to shape against Lee Man.”
R&F manager Yeung Ching-kwong said they were not affected by the news that two of their coaching staff were found to have broken the “home quarantine” rule the night before the match against Happy Valley three days ago.
“The matter is now being investigated by the Football Association and we are waiting for the outcome,” he said. “We played our last match three days ago and the players found it a bit difficult to recover, especially given the final was played under such tough weather conditions.
“Eastern took the opportunity when it came which made the difference. We only have the league championship left which will also be the last chance of playing in the regional cup competition next year. We have to give our best to it.”
