http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_...3&sid=32151588&con_type=3&d_str=20110427&fc=4 Pain for Caroliners Ng Ka-Ki Wednesday, April 27, 2011 Ten-man South China were left to bemoan conceding an injury-time penalty equalizer as they were held to a 3-3 draw by East Bengal in a thrilling AFC Cup match last night. The Caroliners appeared to have secured the points after Li Haiqiang fired them into a 3-2 lead, shortly after Chan Siu-ki was sent off in the first minute of added time for a second bookable offense. But there was a final twist yet to the Group H match, with Joel Padilha bringing down Tolgay Ozbey inside the box and Ozbey calmly slotting home the resulting spot-kick at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, India. The result, coupled with Chonburi's 4-1 win over Persipura Jayapura in the other group match, left South China's hopes of advancing into the last 16 hanging in the balance. They lay third in the group on five points, two adrift of both Chonburi and Persipura, with two games to play against the two group leaders. In contrast, TSW Pegasus look to be headed into the next round after a 3-0 thumping of VB of Maldives at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. Manoel Santos Filho, Chan Ming-kong and Leandro Carrijo Silva were on target for Pegasus as they went top of Group F with nine points, leapfrogging Indonesia's Sriwijaya who were beaten 4-0 at Vietnamese side Song Lam Nghe An. Playing without strike star Mateja Kezman, who is suspended, South China fell behind to Ozbey's 20th-minute strike before Edison Kwok Kin-pong equalized in the 58th minute. Baljit Singh Sahni put East Bengal ahead again in the 69th but Michael Cheng Lai-hin drew the Caroliners level again in the 87th, setting the stage for the frantic finish.
South China Morning Post Thrilling draw keeps Caroliners' hopes alive Chan Kin-wa Hong Kong sides South China and TSW Pegasus enjoyed a night of mixed fortunes in the AFC Cup last night. While Pegasus moved to the top of the table in group F after cruising to a 3-0 victory over visitors VB of Maldives at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, South China remained in third place in group H following a thrilling 3-3 draw with East Bengal in Cuttack, India. The Caroliners were 2-1 down with three minutes left when second-half substitute Cheng Lai-hin levelled the score. Li Haiqiang, also coming off the bench in the second half, appeared to secure victory with a goal in stoppage time for a 3-2 lead, but the Indians scored from the penalty spot just before the final whistle. The Caroliners paid a heavy price for the single point gained from the match as Hong Kong international Chan Siu-ki was sent off in stoppage time for a second booking and will not be available when they play against Indonesian side Persipura next week. Both their central defenders, Joel Bertoti Padilha and Lee Chi-ho, will also be suspended for picking up their second yellow cards of the tournament last night. But the Caroliners still have hopes of reaching the knockout stage after Chonburi of Thailand beat visitors Persipura 4-1 in another match last night. After four rounds of competition, group H is still wide open. Persipura and Chonburi are tied at the top with seven points while South China are two points behind. Even East Bengal still have a chance with two points. "We now face a very tough situation and must win the remaining two games," said club convener Steven Lo Kit-sing. "But we will never give up as long as there is still a chance, even if the chance is very small." South China will fly to Indonesia on Saturday for the Persipura match and Lo said the players would need as much rest as possible. "It is quite difficult to understand the fixture arrangements as we have two away games in consecutive weeks," he said. "But the players must accept the situation and I hope they can rise to the occasion." Having defeated VB 5-3 two weeks ago, Pegasus only had themselves to blame for failing to score more last night. Goals from Manoel Santos and Chan Ming-kong in the first half put them in a comfortable lead while Santos missed a penalty kick after the break. Leandro Silva scored from the penalty spot in stoppage time to seal the victory. With nine points from four games, Pegasus now only need a draw against Song Lam Nghe An of Vietnam at home next week to guarantee a place in the last 16. "We want to settle it as soon as possible by scoring another home victory," said coach Chan Hiu-ming. "But the home defeat by Sriwijaya of Indonesia in the early round has taught us a lesson. We have to approach every remaining match with caution and try to avoid making any mistake."
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6lmKEJJr-4"]YouTube - east bengal vs south china f.c.(hong kong) match highlights 26-04-2011@barbati stadium india-afc[/ame] East Bengal's equalizing penalty can be seen at the end of above video. Very clearly South China's goalkeeper Yapp Hung-Fai was not on the goal line when the penalty was taken.
Yes, when number one team of India is loosing with this score to middle class uzbek team, then you definitely need a radical football reforms. Discharging Hougton is not enough. Note: Indian goalkeeper was substituted in 5th minute of match after a clash with Nasaf's player.
I just read the news, and today there was a football weather. U may judge yourself by looking at the photos here, and so what cloths wore the fans. http://championat.uz/uz/news-9/4626.html
Re: AFC Cup 2011 (Tampines 3-1 Hanoi T&T) http://www.bolasepako.com/2011/04/greasy-pitch-crippled-hanoi.html
Re: AFC Cup 2011 (Tampines 3-1 Hanoi T&T) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TJaXVT7Om4"]YouTube - [????] 2011-04-26 2011 AFC Cup -- TSW Pegasus VS VB (Maldives)[/ame] TVB news report of TSW Pegasus vs VB. (Some Spanish La Liga and NBA reports afterwards.)
Re: AFC Cup 2011 (Tampines 3-1 Hanoi T&T) South China Morning Post Depleted South China face a defensive crisis after Bengal frustration Chan Kin-wa South China coach Chan Ho-yin has only three days to repair his squad after the team returned yesterday from a disappointing AFC Cup tie in India. The Hong Kong champions were held to a 3-3 draw by East Bengal on Tuesday night, a result which means they must win their two remaining matches in group H to qualify for the knockout round. But the coach has little time to prepare the squad as they will be leaving again on Saturday for Papua, Indonesia, where they will meet Persipura next week. Their preparations have also been hampered by the suspension of three key players after the India match. "It is going to be a problem as both our central defenders are out for the Indonesia game," said Chan. "We must find a solution before we leave again on Saturday." Centrehalf Lee Chi-ho and Joel Padilha picked up their second bookings of the tournament against East Bengal, while Hong Kong international Chan Siu-ki was sent off. The referee showed seven yellow cards and one red card to South China. Padilha's caution also led to the disastrous draw, the referee awarding the home team a penalty four minutes into stoppage time after ruling the South China defender had brought down East Bengal forward Ozbey Tolgay. He converted the spot kick to level the score. "I could not see any contact between the two players, but the referee gave them a penalty," said the coach. "We have to find replacements for the two central defenders, and the duo will need to blend into the team as quickly as possible. "We know time is running short but this is the reality and the players must get themselves physically and mentally prepared for another important clash." Injured captain Chan Wai-ho, who has missed the last five matches, may need to cut short his recovery process to join Bai He, the unused substitute on Tuesday, in defence. Former Serbia international Mateja Kezman will be back in action to replace Chan Siu-ki after returning from suspension. "Kezman has massive experience and his form is also getting better and better after a couple of goals. His presence up front adds to our firepower," said the coach. Another South China heavyweight, Nicky Butt, who was substituted in the 60th minute against East Bengal, still has a chance to start against Persipura. "He had problems with the heat in India and his performance was not satisfactory," said Chan. "He told me he played under the similar conditions with Manchester United when they came to Thailand. "I think he should find it better with the heat now after that tough match and he can make a contribution to the team in Papua." South China are third in the group with five points after four games, two points behind joint leaders Chonburi of Thailand and Persipura. Only the top two teams qualify for the last 16, a stage South China have reached in the last two years.
Re: AFC Cup 2011 (Tampines 3-1 Hanoi T&T) SINGAPORE, 01 May 2011: Tampines Rovers FC and Victory Sports FC meet in the 2011 AFC Cup Group G match which will be played on Tuesday 03 May 2011 at the Jalan Besar stadium. Kick off is at 7.30pm. Match : 2011 AFC Cup Group G – Tampines Rovers FC vs Victory Sports FC Date : Tuesday 03 May 2011 Time : 7.30pm Venue : Jalan Besar Stadium Ticket sale on match day: $6.00 (Adult) and $2.00 (Student/ Senior Citizen) Time/Venue: 6pm / Jalan Besar Stadium, North and South Entrance http://www.bolasepako.com/2011/04/media-information-afc-cup-2011-group-g.html
Re: AFC Cup 2011 (Tampines 3-1 Hanoi T&T) http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_...4&sid=32221864&con_type=1&d_str=20110503&fc=1 The Standard Caroliners face crunch Ng Ka-ki Tuesday, May 03, 2011 Strike star Mateja Kezman will return from suspension but three keys players will be missing when South China face Persipura Jayapura in a must-win AFC Cup game today in Indonesia. Forward Chan Siu-ki will serve a one-match ban for the red card he incurred during the 3-3 draw with East Bengal last week, while Lee Chi-ho and Joel Padilha will sit out after having collected their second yellow cards in the tournament. South China stand third in Group H, two points behind leaders Chonburi of Thailand and Persipura, heading into their final two games. TSW Pegasus will host Vietnam's Song Lam Nghe An at Tseung Kwan O tonight, where a point will be enough to advance the Group F table-toppers into the knock-out stage. Chan Wai-ho, back from a knee injury, has been called up by coach Chan Ho-yin to bolster the defense for the 3pm match with Persipura which will be broadcast live on Now TV 633. "We must win to ensure we get a chance to qualify, but we must try to defend first in an away game," coach Chan said. Kezman, who missed the East Bengal game because of suspension, will be deployed as lone striker, with Xu Deshuai or Au Yeung Yiu- chung in a supporting role at the back. South China drew 1-1 with Persipura the first time they met.
Re: AFC Cup 2011 (Tampines 3-1 Hanoi T&T) Tickets for the game, so expensive!!! Is it because of them?
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_...4&sid=32235908&con_type=1&d_str=20110504&fc=4 The Standard Gloom for Caroliners Ng Ka-ki Wednesday, May 04, 2011 A season that held so much promise is threatening to end in frustration for South China after the Hong Kong champions were knocked out of the AFC Cup following a 4-2 defeat by Indonesian side Persipura Jayapura yesterday. The Caroliners went into the match at Mandala Stadium needing a victory but Boas Salossa's double condemned them to defeat which, coupled with a 4-0 win by Chonburi over East Bengal, eliminated them with still one game left in Group H. South China's exit leaves tournament debutants TSW Pegasus to fly the flag for Hong Kong and they can advance into the knock-out stage with a draw against Vietnamese side Song Lam Nghe An in a Group F match at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground tonight. With the Caroliners also in danger of losing their domestic title to Kitchee, they may have to wait at least another season before they could get another crack at the AFC Cup. "I'm disappointed. The physical condition and the mental toughness of the players was not as good as two years ago (when the team reached the semi- finals)," said club chairman Steven Lo Kit-sing. Failure to qualify for next year's tournament would also mean losing European stars Nicky Butt and Mateja Kezman, whose contracts will expire at the end of the month after signing on with the aim of helping the Caroliners in the continental event. Lo refused to be drawn on whether there would be a player clear-out at the end of the season. He said they may look for a foreign coach to lead the team in the next campaign, although there will be room in the staff for current coach Chan Ho-yin. The Caroliners round out their campaign on Tuesday against Thai side Chonburi at Hong Kong Stadium. Zah Rahan opened the scoring for the Indonesians in the 23rd minute but Xu Deshuai equalized 13 minutes later. Salossa struck on 44 and 60 minutes - the second a penalty for handball - before Gerald Pangkaly added Persipura's fourth in the 77th. Ng Wai-chu grabbed a late consolation goal.
Due to South China's poor results this season, Steven Lo publicly apologized to the fans on his blog. Apple Daily reports that Nicky Butt and Mateja Kezman will leave the club at the end of their contracts at the end of this month.