Hong Kong’s Lee Man defeated in AFC Cup semi-final heartbreaker, but not demoralised after strong showing
- Home team Nasaf of Uzbekistan go through with narrow 3-2 victory after extra time
- With a brief history of four years, the club was aiming to become the first from Hong Kong to reach the regional club competition final
Lee Man players can hold their heads up high despite losing 3-2 after extra time to hosts Nasaf of Uzbekistan in the AFC Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.
The club was aiming to become the first from Hong Kong to reach the regional competition final.
Established only four years ago, the ambitious Lee Man hoped to overhaul traditional heavyweights South China and Kitchee to reach the AFC Cup final at the first time of asking. Those two Hong Kong heavyweights reached the same stage in 2009 and 2014 respectively but both came undone against Middle Eastern clubs at the semi stage.
At a packed Markaziy Stadium in Karshi on Wednesday night, almost 10,000 fans witnessed the visitors pull off a thrilling comeback in the second half of the one-legged inter-zone final after two early goals for the hosts, including an own goal from Lee Man captain Fernando Recio, seemed to have sunk any hope the Hongkongers may have had.
But Givanilton Ferreira pulled one back for Lee Man in the first minute after the half-time break, taking full advantage of a weak back pass by a Nasaf defender to score from just outside the box. Ferreira was then instrumental in the second goal, earning a penalty after he was fouled by Nasaf goalkeeper Umidjon Ergashev. Jose Martin scored from the spot to revitalise the visitors’ hopes midway through the second half.
Jonatan Acosta then had a chance to wrap up the match for Lee Man in stoppage time but his shot was denied by the goalpost. And in extra time, Nasaf’s Serbian striker Andrija Kaluderovic volleyed home the winner from 12 metres out to spark wild celebrations and keep the Uzbekistani team’s dreams of a second AFC Cup title alive following their 2011 victory.
I hope the result makes more football fans supporters of Lee Man, and to support Hong Kong football and Hong Kong sports in general,” said Lee Man coach Chan Hiu-ming after the match. “We fully recognised there was a gap between the two sides in all departments and when we went two goals down in the first half, it looked like mission impossible.
“But the players were never discouraged and thanks to their hard work and effort, we came back in the second half. Our opponents were under pressure after we scored the equaliser. We were so close, but could not make it count and this was a bit of a disappointment.
“This is the first time we represented Hong Kong in a regional club competition. From the players, to the club officials and management at the top, we all treasure the opportunity and work as a close unit. We have already gained the recognition from our regional counterparts through the competition and can promise there will be a second, third and fourth time for Lee Man in the future.”
In the West Asia zone final, Al-Muharraq of Bahrain beat Kuwait Al-Kuwait 2-0 and will host Nasaf for the title on November 5.
