The University of Hong Kong defeated Hong Kong Polytechnic University by (4) 0: (3) 0 on penalties and won the University Sports Federation Men's Soccer Championship.
The final match of the Intervarsity Soccer Championship was held at Mong Kok Stadium on 18 March (Saturday). It was an exciting match from start to finish, with the HKU team displaying their skills and controlling much of the match, possessing the ball more and taking more shots on goal than the PolyU team.
Alas, after 90 minutes of regulation play and 30 minutes of overtime play, which still could not decide a winner, it came down to the penalty shootout. PolyU's chances at levelling the score was decisively quashed by the clever and highly skilled goalkeeper Lo Siu Kei, an HKU Sports Scholar, who made a fantastic diving save to his right to once and for all put the nail in the coffin of the strong PolyU opponent, to the jubilation of the HKU team and supporters, who stormed the field to celebrate.
"This was a huge moment for the HKU men's soccer team. Playing and being triumphant at the iconic Mong Kok Stadium in front of a full crowd of supporters after the COVID pandemic was pure glory for the Team and the HKU family" said Dr. Michael Tse, Director of the Centre for Sports and Exercise (CSE).
"The HKU Men's Soccer Team is committed to improving each year and with the dedication of the players, the coaches, our donor, and the support of CSE and our colleagues, the HKU men's soccer team deserves the recognition and results they earned this past weekend." Dr Tse added.
Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, extended his warm congratulations to the HKU team and staff members at CSE for their hard work and excellent performance, which led to the success. "I am very proud of them," he said.
The HKU soccer team won the championship for the first time in 2021. They lost to the CityU team in 2022 but never letting a small loss get in the way of ultimate victory, with the true spirit of HKUers, they fought their way back into the record books this year by winning the championship.
HKU's sports team continues to achieve good results this season. The HKU men's badminton team earlier won the championship in the USFHK Men's badminton competition and has maintained an unbeaten record since the 2020 season. These recent victories are a testament to HKU's excellent sports performance, which remained strong in the face of adversity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
