Comprehensive victory, but tougher tests await- RCFC Review

Article by Adam O'Domhnaill

It appears this season that the HKFA want Senior Shield games to be played at different stadiums around Hong Kong, as 'neutral venues'. Therefore, while Lee Man took on Tai Po in our Mong Kok home on Friday night, we travelled up to Tai Po to play Resources Capital (RCFC) on Saturday. RCFC came into the game with one win all season, and we beat them 6-2 in the Sapling Cup in September so we had high hopes for another dominant performance.

TC Law, credits Kitchee

Team news

With one eye on the upcoming Champions League game, Kitchee made four changes from the side that faced Sham Shui Po, with Wang Zhenpeng, Helio, Cleiton and Jantscher coming in for Paulo, Gerbig, Tan Chun Lok and Igor Sartori. There was a long awaited return to the bench for expensive striker Kim Shin-Wook, who had not featured for over a month.

Wang Zhenpeng, TC Law, Helio (c) (Gerbig 62), Russell, Shinichi (Fernando 46); Scott, Cleiton, Mikael (Tan Chun Lok 72); Poon, Jantscher (Kim 46), Mingazow (Chen Ching Lung 62).

Match highlights

Fernando, credits Scoop Lee

Within eight minutes, it was 3-0. Mingazow tucked in Law's cross at the back post with barely a minute played, and
a few minutes later Jakob Jantscher doubled the lead after being put through by Cleiton. Jantscher later turned provider, as his low cross was tucked in by Poon Pui Hin. Midway through the half Hui Chak Wai diverted Cleiton's cross into his own net, and as the half time whistle approached Andy Russell tapped in after Mingazow played the ball back across goal.

celebrating seventh goal- credits Kitchee

Kitchee continued their dominance into the second half with Fernando's free kick being headed in by Wookie. Benjamin Tandy had RCFC's best open play chance of the game, going past a few Kitchee defenders in the box before having his effort tipped wide by Wang Zhenpeng. RCFC saw a late penalty saved, before Wookie was left unmarked in the box to head in Chen Ching Lung's cross to round off the scoring.

Competition progress

Kitchee's win means that we face Lee Man in the semi-final Sunday 12th at 3pm at Mong Kok Stadium, and we will be looking to avenge September's thrashing It would be safe to assume there will be significantly more fans than the 387 at this game.

Wookie scores- credits Scoop Lee

Fans feedback

A comprehensive victory, with the dominance allowing Coach Kim to bring key players off in the second half.

More players could've been rested from the start, with squad players getting more minutes. Tan Chun Lok has not played much recently, so it would have made sense for him to have a longer cameo from the bench, or even start.

Andy Russell had a good game, getting a goal and being an aerial threat from set pieces. Wang Zhenpeng had little to do all game, but kept a clean sheet with a good penalty save. Kitchee were fantastic going forward, but will need to be more clinical in Bangkok. 

Wang and goalkeeper coach Guo- credits Kitchee

It is hard to truly judge Wookie's two goal performance, coming on at 5-0 up against such a poor team. Since his arrival, he has struggled for form and fitness, but has got five goals in his three games this campaign.

Wookie- credits Scoop Lee

What's next for Kitchee

Kitchee travel to Bangkok United on Wednesday. It will be a massive test, and only a win will keep the slim hopes of qualification alive. Kitchee have Wookie and Juninho fit again, and both made the twenty man squad to travel. There was no space for Igor Sartori and summer flops Damcevski and Onazi. The game will be live on Hoy TV at 8pm Hong Kong time, and can be found online or channel 76.

Scoop Lee is a regular photographer at Kitchee and Hong Kong games. Check out his work on Instagram @whitedophotography_arbuka or on Facebook Matchday of Blue Army.

Wookie with fans post match

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