Senior Shield final: Simionato repays Tai Po’s faith with goal, assist in win over Rangers
Brazilian comes on as early substitute for injured compatriot Igor Sartori to help league champions beat 10-man opponents in extra time
Paulinho Simionato said he was thrilled to repay the club that “opened the door for me in Hong Kong”, following his pivotal role in Tai Po’s 4-1 Senior Shield final victory over 10-man BC Rangers on Wednesday.
An early substitute for fellow Brazilian Igor Sartori, centre-forward Simionato scored Tai Po’s second goal and set up their third for Michel Renner, after Rangers’ Japanese defender Ryota Hayashi was sent off for a professional foul early in extra time.
In front of a bumper 4,738 Mong Kok Stadium crowd, Yakubu Nassam Ibrahim’s 64th-minute strike levelled Remi Dujardin’s first-half opener for Tai Po. Renner scored again at the death to give the scoreline a lopsided look that was harsh on Rangers.
Simionato, 36, who originally came to Hong Kong with Tai Po in 2022, started on the bench despite netting twice in last week’s 3-2 semi-final victory over North District.
“It doesn’t matter how many minutes I play, I train hard every day, then give 100 per cent whenever I go on the pitch,” Simionato said.
“Finals are never easy, but we were all ready to go … this team opened the door for me in Hong Kong, and I’m so happy we have another title.”