Eastern sink Tai Po in extra time to reach Hong Kong FA Cup final
Eastern stayed on course to retain the Hong Kong FA Cup as they overcame Tai Po 2-1 in a tight and tense semi-final at Mong Kok Stadium on Sunday.
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As he is so often, Noah Baffoe was the Eastern hero. With the teams locked at 1-1 in the second half of extra time, Baffoe struck a penalty past Tse Ka-wing for his 27th goal of the season, after Kevin Moreno had been penalised for handling a low cross from Marcos Gondra.
The prolific centre-forward had given Eastern a 29th-minute lead when he collected a pass from Leung Kwun-chung then outmuscled Gabriel Cividini to place a composed finish over the head of onrushing keeper Tse.
Tai Po forward Michel Renner drew his side level in first-half stoppage time. Lee Ka-ho supplied the delivery from the right and, with Eastern No 1 Yapp Hung-fai glued to his line, Renner was free to sweep home from six yards.
Baffoe would have the last word, however, to send Eastern into the May 31 final against BC Rangers.
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