Hard-fought 1-0 victory for South China

South China recorded their first win in this year’s AFC Cup group stage with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the visiting Indian side, East Bengal. South China wasted little time in the opening minutes to signal their intentions for the game, with Serbian striker Mateja Kezman and local forward Chan Siu-ki both fired towards the Indian target with little success.

 South China vs East Bengal Highlights

 

Caroliners’ midfield enforcer Nicky Butt also showed off his skills with a teasing free-kick on the 7th minute. However, East Bengal keeper Sandip Nandy proved equal to the task and comfortably turned Butt’s attempt away. Moments later, East Bengal’s Brazilian forward Leko failed to connect with a centering cross, just missing out on the putting the visitors ahead.

Quick work between Butt and full-back Lee Chi-ho through a corner attempt on the 16th minute saw the later firing a shot just glided inches over the East Bengal goal. South China was clearly pressing for the opening goal. The local champion continued to pour pressure towards the East Bengal goal. On the 28th minute, the always tricky left-back Wong Chin-hung unleashed a dangerous shot outside the Indian penalty box, only to see his effort sailing just wide from the East Bengal goal.

The game received some late excitement when South China’s local striker Chan Siu-ki found his header glancing off the East Bengal cross-bar in the stoppage time. Teammate Metaja Kezman displayed his predatory instinct by tapping in the rebound. Unfortunately for the Caroliners, referee blew his whistle seconds earlier when he ruled foul in the Chan Siu-ki attempt. South China received some bad news in the half time as Brazilian centre-back Joel was required to come off the game after clashing heads with an Indian opponent during South China’s earlier corner attempt.

The former Taipo defender was seen bleeding and needed medical help to leave the pitch. The host came out strongly again in the 2nd half but Meteja Kezman, still without much luck in front of goal, failed to connect with an in-swinging cross just yards in front of the East Bengal goal. South China was desperate for the opening goal.

On the 55th minute, some fancy work from Kezman on the left flank found strike partner Chan Siu-ki well positioned outside the Indian penalty area. Chan quickly released his shot towards the Indian goal but was nicely turned aside by the Indian keeper.Shortly afterwards, East Bengal tried to regain some momentum as Matthew Sushanth unleashed a worthy goal attempt that was sailing towards the upper corner of South China’s goal. It required a brilliant save from goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai to turn away the danger.

The Indian side had a glorious chance on the 62nd minute when East Bengal striker, Leko, found himself beating the South China offside trap and facing South China keeper Yapp Hung-fai one-on-one. Unfortunately for the former Citizen front-man, his effort to round the South China keeper was denied by the quick reflex of Yapp. The game was still tied thanks to the solid work by the Hong Kong international keeper. South China finally gave the 7,000-strong crowd something to cheer about on the 69th minute when substitute Au Yeung Yiu-chung delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty box. Mateja Kezman commandingly re-directed the ball into the Indian goal with a solid header. South China finally broke the game loose. South China continued to exert pressure to the visitors and the always-trying Kezman found Chan Siu-ki all alone outside East Bengal’s penalty area in a counter-attack on the 79th minute. Chan wasted no time to fire his shot but Sandip Nandy, the visiting keeper again denied South China by turning away the danger. East Bengal desperately tried to level the score and Australian import, Tolgay’s close-range effort on the 88th minute was brilliantly denied once again by South China’s custodian Yapp Hung-fai. The entertaining game ended in 1-0, with South China recording their first victory in this year’s AFC group stage.