Match Report - Community Cup Final - Kitchee v Eastern - Kitchee crowned Community Cup Champions but can they rid the cup of its curse?

Kitchee crowned Community Cup Champions but can they rid the cup of its curse? 

Kitchee lifted the Community Cup on Sunday following an engrossing 2-1 win over old enemies Eastern. The Community Cup has proven to be a bit of a poisoned chalice since its introduction 4 years ago, with the winner then failing to win any other silverware in the past 3 seasons, but Kitchee, who have lost in the final in each of the last 3 seasons, seemed to delighted to get one over the flailing Eastern, who really do appear to be struggling under the management of Szeto Man-Chun having lost each of their first four games this season.

The match itself gave Alex Chu a chance to give a run out to some of the more peripheral figures in the team and this saw Alex starting upfront. The Nigerian born HKer took his chance superbly well, looking a threat all game and scoring the opener with a great header from a corner.  Ghanaian Chris Annan was another given a chance up front and he also gave Chu a reminder of what he might be missing by scoring from close range after a great cross by Dani Cancela.  These goals came either side of a well stuck shot from 30 yards by Lo Kwong Wai which beat Kitchee reserve 'keeper Guo Jianqiao at his far post, giving Eastern a short period of hope.

Angry Boundary Street was there to bring you this report...

Alex and Chris impress as they are both given their chance to start 

With most fans expecting to see Chu shuffle his pack significantly and give a rest to some of the more established players, it was quite surprising to see some star players such as Helio, Vadocz, Sandro and Fernando all start. 

However,  Chu did decide to rest strikers Lucas, Jared Lum and Matt Lam (paternity leave). This saw the return of Alex up front who would be partnered by Chris Annan.  Chris's last start for Kitchee was against Bengalaru in the AFC Cup nearly 2 years ago and the striker was keen to put memories of that nightmare performance behind him.   

In midfield, stalwart Lam Ka Wai stepped up as Captain along side Vadocz and Lo Kwan Yee took Lam Zhi Gin's place on the right wing. At the back, Tong Kin Man made way for Recio and Dani Cancela took over from Bong.  In goal, the seemingly ever present, Wang Zheng Pang was replaced by Guo Jian Qiao.

The quality of the line up showed that Kitchee would be taking this seriously and wanted to revenge last year's defeat to Eastern in the final of the same competition. 

Eastern also made a number of changes but with Lugo, Kokko, McKee, Diego Eli and Yapp they still had start quality throughout so this was not expected to be in an easy for the Bluewaves. 

As it happened...

  

Photo from Kitchee official site

Kitchee looked to take the game to Eastern from the off with a number of chances early on. Lam Ka Wai, back in the starting 11 and enjoying his role, had a good chance from outside of the area on 5 minutes following a nice pull back by Chris but this curved just wide of the post.  Ka Wai later took a free kick from 30 yards which was headed out by Eastern but only to Fernando, who laid it back to Dani Cancela. The Spaniard, perhaps caught in two minds over whether to cross or shoot, could only but the ball out of play for a goal kick.  More chances for Kitchee around the 20 minute mark, with Alex and Sandro both having opportunities - Alex shooting over after a good individual run and Sandro flicking the ball over at the near post following a free kick routine worked with Fernando. 

Kitchee didn't have it all their way early on, with Lugo looking particularly dangerous on the break.  On 23 minutes, the Brazilian, who was boo'ed and derided by the passionate Boundary Street stand every time he touched the ball, played a nice move with Xu Deshuai and ran towards the by-line before sending a cross over towards McKee at the back post. The British Born HKer met the cross but could only hit the covering Kitchee defender. There were muted appeals for handball, but the ref was unimpressed.  A few minutes later and there was another chance for Eastern as Wong Tsz Ho crossed the ball in looking for new boy Aleksandr Kokko.  However, Kitchee's rock at the back, Helio was able to slide in and put the ball out of play before the Finnish striker was able to make contact.

Almost straight away from the re-start Ktichee had another chance as Sandro lined up a free kick just outside the area. Sandro's shot, whilst powerful, was straight at Yapp who decided to punch the ball away with his fists rather than catch.  Then on 32 minutes, the breakthrough came.  Alex picked up the ball 35 yards out, evaded the tackle of Ng Wai Chiu and made his way past Lee Chi Ho and Jo Tae-Kun, with both defenders out of the game, Alex squared the ball to Sandro who was one-on-on with the 'keeper. Sandro, chipped ball over Yapp but it lacked power and Lee Chi Ho was able to recover and clear off the line.  However, from the resulting corner, Chris payed the ball short to Fernando who return the ball to Chris to float a cross in to find Alex unmarked in the 6 yard box. The striker got his heard to the ball and diverted it towards the far corner, out of the reach of the diving Yapp. 1-0 Kitchee. 

Photo from Kitchee official site

Kitchee had a number of other chances to extend their lead ahead of half time, including a one-on-one chance for Fernando which was saved but the best was probably a free kick from Lam Ka Wai after 46 minutes. The Hong Kong international, known as a free-kick specialist, sent a curling shot towards the goal which Yapp was able to get a hand to and turn it onto the post. The rebound unfortunately fell just away from Chris who otherwise would have been able to tap in from close range.  Half time - 1:0 Kitchee.

Kitchee came out of the blocks fast and had a chance to add a second almost straight away but Chris was only able to shoot straight at the goalkeeper when well place.  Despite this, Eastern came out with renewed vigour and started putting some nice moves together - with Mckee, Lo Kong Wai (replacing Lugo) and Diego Eli looking to change things. They could have drawn level after 50 minutes when a deep cross from Lo Kong Wai found Jo Taekeun but the Korean could only manage to head over. Moments later, a similar cross from Lo Kong Wai evaded all of Kitchee's defence and found Kokko at the back post but he could only put his chance wide. However, Eastern got what they deserved for this early pressure when Lo Kong Wai picked up the ball on the wing, skipped past Recio, and placed a superb shot into the far corner of the Kitchee net. 1-1. Game on. 

Photo from Kitchee official site

This seemed to stir Kitchee back into life and within minutes they were nearly back in front after a ball into the box by Vadocz was heeded onto his own post by Lee Chi Ho.   Kitchee finally got their noses back in front when Dani Cancella played a superb ball in (the second in as many games) which beat everyone in the box and landed at Chris's feet, allowing him to finish from close range. 2:1 Kitchee. 

With the game getting more stretched, the yellow cards started to appear and there was on particularly nasty incident involving Bai He and Vadocz. The Hungarian left incensed after Bai He appeared to gauge at his eyes in a challenge. Despite protests from the Kitchee team, and a bit of pushing and shoving all round, Bai escaped un-booked. However, moments later Sandro landed a heavy revenge tackle on the player and earned a yellow card himself for this efforts.  Fernando, who appeared to be targeted by Eastern throughout and had been growing frustrated with the lack of protection he was being given by the ref, was also booked for an uncharacteristic foul. 

Both sides had chances towards the end of the game but it petered out and Kitchee hung on comfortably to lift the cup! 

Good day for...

Photo from Kitchee official site

Alex appeared to relish his chance to start up front again and grabbed the opportunity with both hands, seemingly happy to pick up the ball from midfield and run at the Eastern defence at every opportunity. 

Such a move created the first goal, with Alex taking 3 defenders out of the game and playing a superb through ball to Sandro only for his team mate's dink over the 'keeper to be cleared off the line. Alex then scored from the resulting corner.

Alex was a threat throughout and proved that, whilst he may not be a first choice player with Sandro and Lucas both available in that position, he is an excellent option for back-up and will be a superb asset when the ACL comes around and fixtures start to come thick and fast. 

A special mention also for Chris. Still much derided by some elements of the Kitchee fan base following that performance against Bengalaru, the Ghanaian worked tirelessly throughout the game, creating a number of opportunities and finished well from close range when his chance came.  I don't expect to see Chris feature often, again due to the quality ahead of him, but he is another that we can count on when Lucas, Sandro and Jared need a rest. 

Bad day for...

Eastern Football Club...  when the club disposed of Chan Yuenting over the summer, after a disappointing first ACL campaign, most thought this would help them make the next step forward and would help them reclaim their place at the top of the HK league.  However, the start of the season has been a complete disaster for the Long Lions who have now lost 4 out of 4. Whilst many expected them to lose the first match versus Kitchee, none could have expected them to follow this up with defeats to Tai Po (H) and Lee Man Warriors (A).  This cup, which they won last year, gave them the chance to salvage some pride and give their supporters some hope. However, they failed.  With Chan still at the club in a background role, the pressure must really be building on Szeto Man-Chun and many fans have already started calling for his head. 

Attendance: 3486

Next up...  Guangzhou R&F - Hammer Hill Stadium - 1st October 

Kitchee take on Guangzhou R&F in the most controversial fixture of the season so far. With the game originally scheduled to take place in Guangzhou at the Yangzigang on Saturday 30th September, and with both Kitchee officials and Fans having made preparations for that, the HKFA announced on Friday 22nd September that R&F would be unable to fulfill the fixture in Guangzhou and so it would be reschedule to 1st October, taking place in Hong Kong instead.  The Match will now be played at the Hammer Hill stadium.  This fiasco must come as a huge embarrassment to HKFA, who earned the wrath of many HK football fans for allowing R&F to play their Hong Kong fixtures in China, and must also throw the future participation of Guangzhou R&F in the Hong Kong league in doubt. Let's see...