Tai Po players ‘here to help’ community as they play first match in Hong Kong since fire
All ticket proceeds donated to Wang Fuk Court support group, while Kitchee raise over HK$700,000 for Tai Po relief efforts
Tai Po’s footballers had their community in mind as they returned to domestic action on Thursday following the fire that killed at least 159 people in the district.
All ticket proceeds from the match were donated to the Wang Fuk Court support fund, while on the pitch, Tai Po shared a 1-1 draw with North District.
Philip Chan Siu-kwan turned home a 51st-minute cross from Fernando to give Tai Po the lead at North District Sports Ground in Sheung Shui, although the goal was awarded only after a five-minute VAR check for offside.
Almost immediately after play resumed, Weverton Gudula strode onto a Yilber Arboleda pass to place an equalising strike across Tse Ka-wing.
Ngan Cheuk-pan, who excelled out of position at right-back for Tai Po, said: “It was hard to focus on football again … we’re a district team and some of the fans and their families live [in the affected area].
“We hope we provided 90 minutes for them to get away from this tragedy.