Hong Kong First Division
BC Rangers 2
Miroslav Saric 2′, 75′
South China 1 Andrew Barisic 64′
Attendance: 564
BC Rangers maintained their consistent league form with a solid 2-1 win over an under-welming South China. This defeat now means that South China are now a whooping 17 points behind runaway league leaders Kitchee. South China’s league form has been inconsistent with flashes of brilliance punctuated with mediocrity. Today’s performance reflected the latter though this is not to take away from a disciplined and well drilled BC Rangers side.
The game was played at 4pm on a midweek work day and the attendance reflected this fact and only 568 truly die hard fans came through the turnstiles. This drab mood from the stands obviously transferred to the pitch in what was a pretty dour match with both teams approaching the match cautiously.
BC Rangers took an early lead in the 2nd minute with Croatian, Miroslav Saric, turning in a Lam Hok Hei cross. BC Rangers had a lion share of the possession but chances in the first half were few and far between and the teams went off at half time with Rangers still maintaining their slender lead.
The level of entertainment did not improve in the second half with both teams barely stepping up a gear. South China leveled the score in the 64th minute with Andrew Barisic pulling a goal back. This should have kick started South China’s game yet all hopes were dashed when BC Rangers took the lead again in the 75th minute when man of the hour, Saric, scored with a crisp header to take his league goals tally to 10.
BC Rangers defended doggedly and maintained their discipline and shape to hold out for a famous win. South China are now third in the league with 25 points while Rangers remain 5th with 20 points.
All pictures courtesy of Chris KL Lau.
Christopher KL lau is the Hong Kong correspondent for Wildeast Football. He has figured out twitter and can be found here: https://twitter.com/Chris_KL_Lau
