Yesterday I attended the Premier League Round 7 match between North District and Southern District. North District came from behind to win 2–1.

Southern District had finished fifth in each of the past three seasons, but this year the team from Aberdeen started poorly — five points from five games. I expected a laboured, low-scoring game, and that’s exactly what it turned out to be.

The match was played at North District Sports Ground in Sheung Shui — the home ground of North District. It’s a typical Hong Kong district sports complex with a running track around the pitch and a single stand for spectators. On ordinary days the stadium is open to the public; you can even book the pitch for free through a phone app or a terminal right on site. The stand has no seats, but the entire structure is covered with a roof against the rain. Unlike Sham Shui Po or Mong Kok, the nearest 7-Eleven is on the way from the MTR station, so no detour is needed. I came by bike, though, so a detour had to be made. There’s no bag check at the entrance — as it should be.

North District had the territorial advantage throughout and created more chances (see onTV Sports highlights), but in the first half the sharper moments came at their own goal. Around the 20th minute, Stefan picked up the ball in the box after a series of ricochets and shot against the movement of Hon Ho Lee, hitting the post. In the 35th minute, North District’s press collapsed, Acosta collected the ball in midfield and played it into the half-space for Stefan, who carried it into the box and finished neatly into the far corner.

In the second half, North District’s pressure and the individual skill of their foreign players produced two goals. In the 72nd minute, Samuel Granada received a pass from Weverton with his back to goal in the visitors’ penalty area, turned on the spot, and struck into the top corner. In the dying minutes, a cross from Vinicius Soares on the right flank was finished by Kayke David.

Overall the match was slow-paced, somnambulic. The weather was fine. I absorbed three beers.