HONG KONG (Interstat) — Hong Kong Rangers U22, playing as the home team, scored three times before halftime and added two more after the break to beat visiting Tai Po U22 5-0 in a U22 football match on Wednesday.

Hong Kong Rangers U22 set the tone early and never let Tai Po U22 settle. The Rangers opened the scoring in the 15th minute, doubled the lead in the 23rd minute and made it 3-0 in the 40th minute. Tai Po U22 went into the break without a goal and with little answer for the home side’s pressure. Hong Kong Rangers U22 resumed the attack after halftime, scoring in the 47th minute and again in the 59th minute to complete the five-goal performance. The visitors finished with no goals and could not interrupt the Rangers’ control.

The result left Tai Po U22 still seeking its first win of the season. Tai Po U22’s season record in the competition is now 0 wins and 2 losses, and its record across all competitions is also 0 wins and 2 losses. Hong Kong Rangers U22’s season record in the competition is now 3 wins and 1 loss, and its record across all competitions is also 3 wins and 1 loss. The home side’s latest performance followed a 2-1 home win over Kowloon City U22, a 3-1 win at Lee Man Warriors U22 and a 4-2 loss at Hong Kong FC U22 in earlier competition play.

Tai Po U22 had lost 3-2 at Kowloon City U22 in its previous competition match and again struggled to contain an opponent’s attack. The visitors were unable to recover after the early setback. Hong Kong Rangers U22 took advantage with an early goal and kept pressing, adding two more goals before the interval. The Rangers’ quick start changed the shape of the match and forced Tai Po U22 to play from behind. Hong Kong Rangers U22 then scored early in the second half and added another goal just before the hour mark. Tai Po U22 could not produce a response, and the visitors remained scoreless through the final whistle.

Hong Kong Rangers U22 controlled the match from the opening stages, turning early possession into a quick lead. The 15th-minute goal forced Tai Po U22 to chase the game, and the Rangers took advantage with two more goals before halftime. The home side added goals in the 47th and 59th minutes to remove any doubt. Tai Po U22 could not find a breakthrough and finished the match without a goal. The Rangers’ defense held firm when Tai Po U22 tried to push forward, and the home side closed out the match without conceding. The Rangers’ lead was never threatened after the opening goal.

The five-goal showing gave Hong Kong Rangers U22 another positive result in the competition and kept the club’s strong start intact. Tai Po U22 remained without a point in the competition and without a win across all competitions. Hong Kong Rangers U22 moved on with a 3-1 competition record and the same 3-1 mark across all competitions. Tai Po U22 dropped to 0-2 in the competition and 0-2 across all competitions. The result marked another difficult outing for Tai Po U22, which has now lost both of its competition matches this season. The Rangers’ five goals came from a consistent attacking push that Tai Po U22 could not slow.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Hong Kong Rangers U22 4, Tai Po U22 2. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Hong Kong Rangers U22 with a 70 percent probability to win. The total score of 5 went under the over/under line of 3.5.