Yesterday I attended the Hong Kong Premier League fifth-round match between Kowloon City and North District at Sham Shui Po. The game ended in a 2–2 draw.
The Sheung Shui side took an early advantage with aggressive pressing in the attacking third. Kowloon players frequently misplaced passes in their own half. However, it was Kowloon who opened the scoring in the 18th minute, punishing the opposition for committing too many players forward.
Kowloon played long from a goal kick, clearing the ball over six (!) North District players. Luizinho won an aerial duel against Chun Ho Wong, nodded the ball to Tsz Hin Loong, and moved to support. Arboleda blocked the pass to the left, but Luizinho picked up the rebound and played it to Min-gyu Park. The Korean slowed down and found the back of the net with a stunning strike.
At the end of the first half, North District defender Carlos Paez attempted to stop a counter-attack with a sliding tackle from behind and seriously injured Min-gyu Park. Park was stretchered off, while Paez was sent off after a VAR review. Chun Ting Lee replaced Park, and North District’s holding midfielder Elian Villalobos dropped into defence.
Kowloon City extended their lead at the start of the second half from the corner kick. Kessi shook off Samuel Granada and beat Villalobos in the air at the near post.
After conceding the second goal, the North District coach made two attacking substitutions: Hiu Chung Law replaced Kong Wai Lo, and Weverton came on for Kayke David. In the 63rd minute, Weverton’s long-range effort forced home goalkeeper Ho Chun Yuen to parry the ball straight in front of him. Kowloon’s central defenders completely lost their bearings, allowing two opponents to reach the rebound first. Samuel Granada finished clinically from close range.
The pace slowed afterwards. Despite being a man down, North District created the better chances. In added time, Kowloon players collectively failed in midfield, leaving Vinicius Soares and Chun Ho Wong unmarked in the holding zone. After overlapping to the right flank, Wong cut the ball back to Arboleda, who found the net from near the penalty spot. Remarkably, Arboleda had started the move by picking up the ball after a foul on Weverton.
The weather was excellent. Around two to three hundred spectators attended the game. I consumed two beers.
Kowloon City v North District 2–2.
Hong Kong Premier League, Round 5. Sham Shui Po Sports Ground. 19 October 2025
Goals: Park (18), Kessi (53) – Samuel Granada (63), Arboleda (90+2).
Yellow cards: Wan Chun Chiu (42), Kayron (45+3), Carioca (80) – Hiu
Chung Law (64), Villalobos (78).
Red card: — Paez (45+9).
Kowloon City: Ho Chun Yuen (GK), Wan Chun Chiu, Diego Eli (Carioca 77), Jun Hyeon, Kayron, Kessi, Tsz Hin Loong, Luizinho, Min-gyu Park (Chun Ting Lee 45+10), Kai Cheuk Yim (Kam To Tsang 62), Pui Hong Yu.
North District: Hoi Man Chung (GK), Arboleda, Kayke David (Weverton 57), Jahangir Khan (Yuen Sai Kit 90+3), Kong Wai Lo (Hiu Chung Law, 53), Paez, Samuel Granada, Villalobos, Vinicius Soares, Chun Ho Wong, Ho Yin Wong.
Standings as of 19 October
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rangers | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 10 |
| 2 | Kitchee | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
| 3 | North District | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 10 |
| 4 | Lee Man | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 7 |
| 5 | Tai Po | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | Eastern | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| 7 | Kowloon City | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| 8 | Eastern District | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 9 | Southern District | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| 10 | Hong Kong FC | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 0 |