Match Report: Sapling Cup Game 1 - HK Pegasus reined in by Kitchee young guns as the Bluewaves gallop to 4-0 victory

HK Pegasus reined in by Kitchee young guns as the Bluewaves gallop to 4-0 victory 

A youthful looking Kitchee took on Pegasus on Sunday in the Sapling Cup. With both teams still neck a neck at the top of the Hong Kong Premier League after 4 matches, being drawn together in Group B of the new look tournament meant fans got to see a repeat of the league fixture played only 6 weeks ago and to see whether Pegasus are genuinely a match for the boys from Shek Mun. 

That league game ended in a tight 1-1 draw (see our report on that game here) with Kitchee needing a last minute equaliser from Fernando to save their blushes.  However, a mix of youthful exuberance and experience was enough for the Bluewaves to stop the Hong Kong Horse cantering to victory on this occasion as goals from Sandro, Alex and 18 year old Robbie Stamp helped Kitchee romp home to take three points and sit pretty at the top of the group. 

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

Buddle and Braunshtain given chance to shine 

Perhaps reflecting the fact that Kitchee have more important priorities than the Sapling Cup this year, Alex Chu made several changes to the starting 11 that strolled pas BC Rangers 7 days ago.

The most interesting of these changes was definitely the inclusion of two youth players, Sebastian Buddle and Barak Braunshtain.  The two youngsters both gave remarkably impressive displays, looking confident in possession and strong enough to battle against their older, bigger opponents.  Both were undoubtedly helped by being joined in midfield by the hugely experienced Huang Yang and the classy Kristian Vadocz. 

Elsewhere, Alex was given another start upfront as he looked to build upon the goals he has scored in recent weeks against BC Rangers and Eastern.  He lined up in the center of the attacking three with Fernando and Sandro either side. 

At the back, Chinese 'Keeper Guo Jian Qiao replaced fellow Dong Bei Ren Wang Zheng Pang in nets with Recio, Dani Cancela and KJ Bong keeping court in front of him. 

One the bench we had two more youngsters Mark Swainston and Robbie Stamp, as well as Lam Zhi Gin and KJ Dong - who looked to make his return from injury. 

A game of two halves...

Whilst the first half was entertaining, after 45 minutes this match did not look as if it was a 4-0 match. Both sides had had chances,  but neither team was able to forge ahead.  Pegasus perhaps had the best opportunity to go ahead when their striker was sent through on goal against Guo Jain Qiao but placed his shot just wide of the far post but Kitchee also had good opportunities through Seb Buddle and a close range head from Vadocz. 

However, in first half injury time came a moment that would change the game. Rosen Kolev, Pegasus' rock at the back, sustained an injury and unable to carry on.  Forward Chan Siu Kit was brought on in his place and Major Travis, a striker, moved to defence.   

It didn't take long for this experiment to go wrong.  A long ball forward by Fernando after 50 minutes should have been easily dealt with, however Major and young goalkeeper Yuen Ho Chun made a complete mess of it, leaving Sandro able to take his time and tap into the empty net. 

From there on it was a one horse race as Kitchee galloped to victory, scoring 2 more goals in just five minutes.  Alex got the second, after landing Major again flat on his stomach and going past Leung Nok Han before nonchalantly chipping over the helpless 'keeper. 
Alex was on fire again shortly after. Picking up the ball around the half way mark, he played the ball out wide to the impressive Sebastian Buddle who was able to out sprint Wu Chung Ming before returning the ball to the Nigerian to finish smartly into the bottom left corner of the net. 3-0 - 2 goals for Alex and a first ever assist for young Sebastian Buddle - the crowd sang his name to show their appreciation! 

Mohammed Awal nearly pulled one back for the Fly Horses but his shot was cleared off the line by KJ Bong. However, there was to be no fight back as Kitchee soon scored the fourth. Another great through-ball by Fernando set up Sandro for a 1-on-1 with the Pegasus 'keeper. The Brazillian put the ball past the helpless goalie but was brought down, instead of blowing for a penalty the ref played advantaged and youngster Robbie Stamp was on hand to slot home for 10 yards to secure his first goal in professional football.

Good day for - the youth!!! Seb Buddle, Barak Braunshtain and Robbie Stamp.

As mentioned above, youth was the theme of the day and Kitchee fans were delighted to see three young hopefuls given the opportunity to play in this game.  

 Playing on the right wing, Buddle looked to get forward at every opportunity and played some nice one-twos with Sandro just in front of him.  The youngster from Discovery Bay nearly scored his first senior goal in the first half when the ball broke loose to him in the area but his shot was well saved by the HK Horse Goalkeeper. As such, he had to make do with an assist - setting up Alex Akande for his second goal of the game.

Braunshtain also took his chance well.  Despite being quite small of stature, he did not look out of place in midfield and battled well against his adversaries. Chu would have been happy with Barak's ability to do the simple things well and the fact that he appears to have built a good understanding with Fernando playing together on the left hand side will also be pleasing. Braunshtain seems to have a good first touch and can turn away from trouble well and was also able to float in a number of good crosses.  

Robbie Stamp got the chance to come on with 30 minutes left to play.  Playing on the right hand side of the attack, Stamp also looked impressive and was a handful for the Pegasus defence from the off, with him trying to take on the left back at every opportunity.  Whilst he may never get an easier opportunity to score, Stamp will be delighted to have notched his first goal for the senior team and will be hopeful that this is the first of many in a long career for Kitchee.

All in all, very encouraging and with so many matches coming up this year, and the need to balance HKPL/ Cup matches and the Asian Champions League, I think we will be seeing a lot more of messrs Braunshtain, Buddle and Stamp. 

Bad day for...

Travis Major...  The Australian was nearly the hero for Pegasus when these teams last met as he open the score for the HK Horse, tapping home for 3 yards after Wang Zheng Pang spilled a curling shot from Joao Emir.  However, yesterday was a very different story for the Socceroo.  Despite starting in his more familiar position as striker, injury to Rosen Kolev in first half injury time meant that Major was forced to play at the back for the second half of the match.  

Playing this unfamiliar role was never going to be easy and it only took 5 minutes for him to make a major mistake, getting himself mixed up with the 'keeper and allowing Sandro to capitalise. Just moments later, he was embarrassed again as Alex knocked him him to the floor before scoring Kitchee's second. 

After turning out to be such a liability, by the time of the third goal, he had been restored to his usual position upfront.

Attendance: 1173 - disappointing but not really a surprise. May fans see this competition as a waste of time and the fact that it was scheduled at 1730 on a Sunday evening did not help either. However, there was a good atmosphere generated, as usual, by Ultras Bluewave.