AFC Champions League 2: teenage Hong Kong star dazzles again but Eastern beaten in Japan
Sanfrecce Hiroshima too strong as Hong Kong side finish bottom of group with 3 points, but sublime opening goal by Ng Yu-hei shows promise
Ng Yu-hei provided another glimpse into his rare potential with an exquisite first-half strike, but Eastern eventually subsided to a 4-1 loss against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Japan on Thursday.
The defeat left Eastern bottom of their AFC Champions League Two group, while Sanfrecce’s fifth win from six matches meant they topped the standings, ahead of fellow last-16 qualifiers Sydney FC.
The 18-year-old Ng, a recent Hong Kong debutant, lit up the Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima Stadium when he glided past Kohei Hosoya to arrow home a strike via the palm of keeper Keisuke Osako and the goalframe.
“Yu-hei is a very talented player, and I hope very soon he can go overseas to a stronger team than us and make a good career,” said Roberto Losada, the Eastern head coach.
With his team still in J1 League title contention ahead of Sunday’s final day, Hiroshima boss Michael Skibbe made nine changes from the side that beat Consadole Sapporo at the weekend.
