AFC Champions League: BC Rangers captain hopes young players learn lesson from their dramatic loss
- Rangers were 1-0 up against Haiphong of Vietnam until late penalty led to an equaliser – with visitors scoring three more goals in extra time
- Head coach Henry Vom ‘proud we kept fighting until the end’ but skipper Lam Ka-wai says inexperience – and a lack of fitness – cost them
BC Rangers captain Lam Ka-wai hopes his fellow young teammates take the positives from their Asian Champions League debut despite a dramatic 4-1 loss to Haiphong of Vietnam in the preliminary round on Tuesday.
The home side were 1-0 up with less than five minutes to go, but a late penalty led to an equaliser from the visitors, who scored three more goals in extra-time to move into the next qualifying round against Incheon United of South Korea.
“The result says a football match is not 45 minutes, not 60 minutes, as it only counts after 90 minutes,” Lam, one of the team’s three former Kitchee stars that have played in the regional top-tier cup competition, said.
“We were almost there, leading the match until the final stages and then unfortunately we conceded a late penalty. But that’s football, as you need a 90-minute result. It was a bit of a pity the match then went into extra time and we lost.
“But if you closely examine the form between the two teams, their players were much fitter than us. When we were still full of stamina in the first half, we were able to deal with them and created chances.
“But then the opposition was in total control after the break, as we were under huge pressure. We just completed preseason and this was our first competitive match while Haiphong are already in the middle of their season.”
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The 38-year-old midfielder soldiered on into extra time but was substituted for Tse Wai-chun in the 105th minute.
“I could not remember when was the last time I played until extra time in a match,” he said.
“Perhaps I have the experience and know-how to control my own pace in a tense match like this while many of our youngsters failed to do so and suffered from cramps. I hope they have all learned the lesson.”
Goalkeeper Leung Hing-kit, though, was left questioning the referee’s call to award Haiphong a penalty.
“I don’t know what the rules are but they had already completed their shot and the ball was saved, but then the referee penalised our defender for his challenge before the shot was made. I don’t know what was on his mind,” said Leung, who saved Yuri Mamute’s spot kick only for Tuan Anh Nguyen to score from the rebound.
“We did not deserve that after I made the save, but unfortunately the ball went to that position for them to score from the rebound.”
Rangers head coach Henry Vom Ca-nhum said he did not have a clear view of the foul that led to the penalty. But he was pleased with his side’s fighting spirit.
“I respect the game. I heard it was a clear foul, he got kicked,” Vom said. “It was very unlucky. We needed to hold on, but it’s OK, that’s football. We made a mistake, lost our concentration and they got a penalty.
“I am very happy with my players as they fought until the last minute, until they got to the end. I did not expect we would have to play for another 30 minutes of extra time.
“I know the squad has difficulties with the bench players [substitutes]. But still I am very proud of my players for doing their best until the end.”
