Posted in News on May 22, 2006.
Competing in the former British colony and the home of Karate legends Bruce Lee and Jackie Chang the young Chiefs were not chopped up and rolled over as they stood their ground in progressing unbeaten from the group stages to move on into the quarterfinals and eventually into the semi finals where they were eventually defeated by Japanese team Urawa red Diamonds.
The young Amakhosi had a wining start to the tournament on Saturday as they beat the hosts Hong Kong FC Team 2 by a goal to nil in their first game thanks to a Wayne Matle strike that shocked the home team. The hosts were expecting to walk over the tournament rookies at the end of the game Amakhosi were applauded off by the home fans in appreciation of the good football and gamesmanship of the young Chiefs.
In their second game The Young Amakhosi managed to eek out a draw with Chinese team Sun Hei, before meeting Manchester United in their final group, they than caused the upset of the tournament. As they bundled out the English pre tournament favorites thanks to a solitary strike from South Africa under twenty international Stephen Faba, to set up a meeting with Glasgow Celtic of Scotland in Sunday’s quarterfinals.
It was again a case of David against Goliath as the young Amakhosi bundled out their more illustrious opponents from Scotland in ¼ finals, after going down early on Bamose Gololo leveled proceedings. Than Stephen Faba struck in Golden Goal extra time to break Scottish hearts and set up a semi final encounter with Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan.
The dream ended for the young Chiefs in the semi finals as the Japanese ran out 3-1 winners, consolation for the Amakhosi came late on as Bamose Gololo struck to bring some sought of respectability to the score line. Over all it was a valiant effort from the young Chiefs who played their ¼ Finals and ½ Finals games with an infield player in goals as their regular goalkeeper was injured in the game against Manchester United and could not play on.
