Ain't that a kick. A family day of soccer and smiles yesterday raised at least HK$900,000 for Operation Santa Claus and its 13 beneficiaries.
The annual Five-A-Side Football Tournament fielded the giving spirit as 20 adult teams vied for the winner's cup on small grass pitches, while young children played for trophies and medals on side fields.
When the dust settled at Stanley Fort, the Hong Kong Football Club overcame Bank of America Merrill Lynch to seize the adult Five-A-Side Cup Trophy.
The 20-minute game was a nail-biter, ending in a tie. There was still no score after sudden-death overtime and the final had to be decided on penalty kicks, said Five-A-Side organiser Brian Crockford. 'Two-nil to the football club,' said Crockford. 'The Hong Kong Football Club has won the adult tournament now for the last four years. A little bit of a monopoly, I guess,' he joked.
The plate - played for by teams who finished third or fourth in their preliminary groups - was won by Jardine Ruby Murrays, who prevailed in their showdown against Prudential Corporation Asia 1-0.
Children aged six to nine displayed some fine footwork, too. The Hong Kong Football Academy triumphed in the Primary Three tournament, and a Hong Kong Football Club team came out tops in the Primary Four contests.