The Chinese New Year Cup is a long‑standing football tradition in Hong Kong. This year, the Hong Kong, China Representative Team faced FC Seoul from Korea’s K League at the Hong Kong Stadium.
In regulation time, the Hong Kong, China Representative Team drew 1-1 with FC Seoul from Korea’s K League, but won 6-5 on penalties. The match attracted more than 14,000 spectators.
The Hong Kong, China Representative Team won in the Chinese New Year Cup 2026. Photo source: FB@The Football Association of Hong Kong, China Limited
Some fans said that the Hong Kong team's victory during the Chinese New Year was a good omen. They praised the team's excellent performance, the warm weather, and the electric competition atmosphere, noting that the fans on the site were more enthusiastic than expected.
The Hong Kong, China Representative Team won in the Chinese New Year Cup 2026. Photo source: FB@The Football Association of Hong Kong, China Limited
Some fans came to watch the game together with their families. A child on the site said that the Hong Kong team's defense was quite strong and the win was beyond expectations. He felt excited and described the atmosphere as incredibly lively, bustling with crowds and rounds of cheers.
The Hong Kong, China Representative Team won in the Chinese New Year Cup 2026. Photo source: FB@The Football Association of Hong Kong, China Limited
Some fans said that all the players gave their all and turned the competition into a spectacular one. They hoped that more matches attended by the Hong Kong team could be held in the future, to enhance the fans' sense of belonging and attract more spectators.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jake Burger hit a two-run home run and a go-ahead single to lead the Texas Rangers past the Seattle Mariners 5-4 on Friday night in the opener of a four-game series between the top two teams in the AL West.
With the win, the Rangers improved to 52-51 and increased their divisional lead to 1 1/2 games ahead of the 51-53 Mariners.
Burger’s fourth-inning homer off Bryce Miller (4-5) tied the score at 3-3. In the sixth, Burger hit the first pitch from Eduard Bazardo up the middle to score Brandon Nimmo and put Texas ahead 4-3.
Nicky Lopez then bunted in front of the plate with runners on the corners. Bazardo fielded the ball bare handed and tossed underhand high off the glove of catcher Cal Raleigh allowing Evan Carter to score.
Peyton Gray (5-0) pitched a scoreless sixth inning and Jacob Latz allowed a run in the ninth but earned his 20th save in 22 opportunities.
Burger was hitting .150 in July before his home run barely cleared the right field wall. He has 18 homers and 64 RBIs to lead the club in both categories.
Wyatt Langford gave Texas a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a home run to left field one pitch after fouling a ball off his left foot and limping out of the batter’s box.
Weston Wilson’s two-out, opposite-field single to right tied the score 1-1 in the second.
Dominic Canzone’s opposite-field, two-run double to left center in the fifth tied the score 3-3.
Rangers starter MacKenzie Gore, pitching on five days’ rest, allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks in five innings.
Miller was charged with five runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Texas’ Joc Pederson had his 1,000th career hit.
Seattle’s Cole Young matched a career best with three hits.
Mariners RHP Bryan Woo (7-6, 4.16 ERA) will face Rangers RHP Nathan Eovaldi (9-8, 4.21) on Saturday.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb
Texas Rangers' MacKenzie Gore (1) pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Mariners, Friday, July 24, 2026, Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
Seattle Mariners' Bryce Miller pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, July 24, 2026, Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
Seattle Mariners' Josh Naylor runs towards home during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, July 24, 2026, Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
Texas Rangers' Wyatt Langford rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, July 24, 2026, Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
Texas Rangers' Jake Burger (21) is celebrates hitting a home run with Texas Rangers' Ezequiel Duran during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, July 24, 2026, Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
