Giovane da Silva hits four for Eastern in 4-1 victory over YFCMD
Brazilian achieves the feat for the first time in Hong Kong as his team steamroll past YFCMD
Marksman Giovane da Silva scored four goals in a match for the first time in his six seasons in Hong Kong, but Eastern are still unlikely to catch rivals Kitchee for the Hong Kong league title.
Thanks to the Brazilian's goalscoring spree with two goals in each half, including a late strike before the final whistle, Eastern were able to brush aside YFCMD 4-1 in a BOCG Life Premier League at Sham Shui Po Sports Ground yesterday.
Da Silva scored his first goal when YFCMD defenders failed to clear an Eastern corner and da Silva easily nodded in the ball home at the back-post. The skillful Brazilian doubled Eastern's lead in the 31st minute, scoring with another diving header.
I have done it [scoring four goals in a match] twice in Brazil but never in Hong Kong
Da Silva's skills were evident again in the 75th minute when he scored from a tight angle after dribbling past two defenders.
Kenji Fukuda scored for YFCMD through a penalty kick in stoppage time but Eastern were already well in control with Da Silva getting his fourth and his team's fourth just before the final whistle.
With Kitchee also winning, beating I-Sky Yuen Long 3-0 away in the later match, the five-point gap between the two sides remains unchanged with the leaders on 35 points. YFCMD remain in fifth spot on 23 points.
"I have done it [scoring four goals in a match] twice in Brazil but never in Hong Kong," said the delighted Brazilian striker. "But unfortunately the league championship is almost impossible despite the victory.
