Kitchee rise again with 3-2 away win against R&F to see the the title race go down to the wire

Kitchee inflicted R&F's first home defeat of the season with a 3-2 victory in what was a thrilling game. Goals from Fernando, Ju and Lucas were enough to seal the victory, despite having thrown away a 2-0 lead, and see the Bluewaves move up to joint third in the league.

The win at the Yanzigang Stadium means that, with just four league games remaining, Kitchee find themselves equal on points with R&F, one point behind Southern in second and just two points behind current leaders Tai Po. 

With matches against Southern, Yuen Long, Hoi King and Eastern to come (and with table toppers Tai Po having to face Southern and R&F), the result gives hope to players and fans alike that Kitchee may be able to defend their crown and claim their third successive title. 

Read our full report below:

Those Kitchee fans who made the trip to Guangzhou were rewarded with a fantastic display and magnificent result.  The Bluewaves took the lead after 21 minutes, when Fernando picked up the ball and played it out wide to Lucas on the left wing. Lucas, usually the goalscorer, turned provider and played an excellent cross back towards his Brazilian counterpart who took a couple of touches and finished well past R&F keeper Zhou Yuchen from close range.

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Matt Smith then had two excellent headed chances to increase Kitchee's lead. The first chance came after 32 minutes connecting excellently with a Fernando's corner only to see, ex-Kitchee Legend, Lo Kwan Yee clear it off the line. 5 minutes later Smith was denied again when Zhou Yuchen palmed Smith's header around the post following an excellent free-kick from Ju Yingzhi. 

The second goal finally came early in the second-half when Ju Yingzhi received the ball inside the area, cut inside his market and drilled the ball ferociously into the goal, giving the 'keeper no chance. Ju turned and jumped over the barriers to celebrate with the jubilant fans.

2-0 up and seemingly cruising to 3 points, the match was turned on its head in the space of just 5 minutes with R&F somehow coming back to level at 2-2.  The first goal was down to some calamitous defending as Kitchee's Smith completely missed his clearance, allowing the ball to drop to Giovane Da Silva unmarked in the area.  Da SIlva scuffed his shot but it bounced into the net past Wang Zheng Pang. R&F were back on terms shortly after when when more poor defending from a corner saw the ball evade everyone before arriving at the feet of Da SIlva at the back post - he made no mistake and Kitchee's lead was gone. 

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However, Kitchee's heads didn't drop and the bluewaves went about reclaiming their lead. The decisive goal came after 73 minutes when, in a reversal of the first goal, Lucas played the ball out to Fernando who then pulled the ball back to Lucas Da Silva on the edge of the area. The big Brazilian took a touch and smashed the ball into the top of the R&F goal. Sending fans and team alike into raptures.

Lucas had another another chance to further increase Kitchee's lead but the 3-2 scoreline remained until the final whistle - Kitchee took the 3 points home back across the border.