Hong Kong (5) v (3) Romania

By Daniel Wood

ROMANIA opened the match with some intense shooting and hard tackles, leaving the Hong Kong players momentarily stunned as they missed some early attempts at goal, including a penalty.

Romania's Radu took a heavy shot at goal that sent him sprawling into the sideboards from the momentum of the kick. Although this shot went wide, Romania capitalised on the rebound, collecting the ball and sending it straight to the back of the net.

Hong Kong soon regained composure as the team attempted to counter the intensity of their opposition. Hong Kong produced some excellent passes as they searched for an opening in the rock solid Romanian defence.

Romania denied a number of Hong Kong's attempts on goal but were disappointed to receive the same treatment from the Hong Kong goalkeeper, Siu Fung, who pulled off a split-second save against a powerful shot close to the goal.

Consistently brilliant work from both keepers made it difficult for either team to find the back of the net. Hong Kong, finally found an opening, however, and levelled the scores, 1-1.

No one could accuse Romania of ignoring their defensive duties as they repelled attack after attack.

A clever set-up from Hong Kong left player number 8 unmanned as he received a well-placed cross and easily chipped the ball in to leave the half time score 2-1 in Hong Kong's favour.

Hong Kong opened the second half with another subtle, but accurate, shot proving that finesse can be just as effective as power and leaving Hong Kong up, 3-1.

Romania's Claudiu saw a weak spot in Hong Kong's defence and delivered a long, sweeping kick that sent the ball flying past the Hong Kong goalkeeper and directly into the net. Hong Kong was quick to respond as Kwok Fu scored a quick goal, 4-2.

Both teams refused to give up and displayed admirable persistence in both their defensive and offensive work. A penalty to Hong Kong increased the margin in their favour, 5-2.

Romania kept firing shots as their time began to run out, but Hong Kong's goalkeeper, Siu Fung, kept throwing himself at the ball with at least three phenomenal saves in the second half.

Claudiu scored from a late penalty but it was too little, too late for Romanian team. Final score, 5-3, to Hong Kong.

Photo Glenn Bailey / Photoworx