Hong Kong FA Cup semi-finals: rampant Rangers back in showpiece with dominant win
Rangers reach the final for second time in three seasons and will face either Tai Po or Eastern on May 31
BC Rangers reached a second FA Cup final in three seasons by beating Hong Kong Football Club 4-1 at Mong Kok Stadium on Saturday.
They were in full control of their semi-final by half-time thanks to a trio of similarly worked goals as their game plan of playing through Football’s Club high line paid off, with Lau Chi-lok, Li Wing-ho and Maxwell Ansah the scorers.
HKFC replied after the interval through Leo, but Guilherme Biteco completed their miserable afternoon with a sublime fourth.
Rangers will face the winner of Sunday’s second semi-final between Eastern and Tai Po on May 31, and man-of-the-match Biteco was hoping for the former – otherwise the terms of his loan from Tai Po will prevent him playing.
The Brazilian said: “My heart is split in two because I love Tai Po, but now I’m a Rangers player. I’m not going to say I hope they lose, but let’s see. If I can play, I play. If not, I’ll be cheering the team on.”
It has been a dismal Premier League campaign for both sides, with Football Club rooted to the bottom of the table and Rangers only a place better off, but this was an opportunity for one of them to potentially enjoy a happy end to the season.