Eastern Sports Club lost heartbreakingly 3-2 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their AFC Champions League Two Group E match at Mong Kok Stadium, despite goals from Ghanaian striker Noah Baffoe in the second half.
Daniel Almazan's header gave Eastern SC the lead in the seventh minute, but two goals in as many minutes from the visitors equalized the score right before the half. Sanfrecce Hiroshima won the match thanks to goals from Yotaro Nakajima, a close-range finish, and Hiroya Matsumoto, a spectacular strike from outside the box.
After the interval, Baffoe gave Eastern SC their first point back by scoring a left-footed goal from a close angle to tie the score at two. In the 95th minute, Hayato Araki headed in the game-winning goal from a corner, ending Hong Kong's heroic defense late into stoppage time.
The forthcoming Hong Kong Premier League match between Eastern SC and Lee Man on October 6th will take center stage.