Semi final drama and derby day disappointment

Written by Adam O'Domhnaill

Kitchee 4-3 Tai Po (Sapling Cup semi final)

Credits to Scoop

Kitchee started April with the Sapling Cup semi final against Tai Po. Goals from Cheng Chin-lung, Mikael, Juninho and a stoppage time winner from Tan Chun-lok secured victory. Some Kitchee fans (including myself) did not attend, as the Sapling Cup continues to prove to be pointless in its stated aim of youth development. Kitchee played two aging centre backs (Roberto 40, and Russell 36), and when a change in defence was made at half time, Russell was replaced by the 38 year old Helio, leaving 20 year old Jason Kam on the bench. Young players will not improve if they do not get minutes. Both Kitchee and Tai Po started the bare minimum of U22 players required, and with the exception of the stoppage time introduction of Kitchee youngster Yuen Chun-him, none of the ten U22 players across both benches were brought on.

Lineup: Shek; Kurban, Roberto (c), Russell (Helio 46), Shinichi (Yuen Chun-him 90); Tan Chun-lok, Mikael (Ramic 66), Cheng Chin-lung (Scott 74); Jantscher, Juninho (Temirov 74), Slattery

Kitchee 0-0 Eastern

Now for derby day. Over 1800 fans were in attendance as Eastern sought to break Kitchee's three year unbeaten run in this fixture. Poon Pui-hin and Sedin Ramic came in for Jantscher and Shinichi, with Fernando, Mingazow and Paulo all still out injured. 

Lineup: Wang; TC Law, Helio (c), Russell, Ramic (Shinichi 63); Scott, Cleiton (Tan Chun-lok (90), Mikael; Poon Pui-hin (Juninho 76), Temirov, Igor.

Credits to Tony

Both sides struggled to create chances early on, and in a very physical encounter Helio was lucky not to be sent off in the first half; first being booked for a lunging tackle, and escaping a second yellow for hauling Baffoe to the ground. Law was also booked for a rash challenge, before Baffoe missed the best chance of the half, his header narrowly missing the Kitchee goal as Wang Zhenpeng came off his line to try and catch a freekick.

Into the second half, as both sides sought to seize the initiative. Cleiton's driving run down the right was cleared by Eastern right back Callum Hall, who had Poon Pui-hin waiting to pounce in the six yard box. Charlie Scott had a sighter from range that Yapp easily dealt with in the Eastern goal. Baffoe got the better of Andy Russell to tee up Anson Wong, but an outstanding block from Helio kept Kitchee level. Kitchee somehow remained level as they failed to deal with a Marcos Gondra long shot, and Bosley Yu skied the rebound from six yards out with the goal gaping. Kitchee will be disappointed with the draw, showing limited attacking threat, but kept the clean sheet intact. Chances for both sides in a game that occasionally was very scrappy. Still only a point behind Lee Man, but tough away trips to Tai Po, Eastern and Southern are still to come, and Lee Man at home on the final day. It will take a big shift to defend the title.

Fan feedback

Credits to Tony

A scrappy affair, with Kitchee creating limited attacking threat. It was unclear what the tactical plan was, with very little creativity in the final third, and a lot of long balls in the opening exchanges, despite Kitchee losing a lot of aerial challenges and the resulting second balls. The pace of Noah Baffoe caused Kitchee trouble again, and neither of Kitchee's fullbacks offered much overlap, possibly fearing Baffoe exposing the lack of pace of Helio and Russell at the back. Poon Pui-hin barely got the ball, even after switching into centre forward. Fans wonder do the Brazilians in midfield trust him on the ball. Playing Ramic in defence means Kitchee have to play a local player in midfield or attack, but despite Tan Chun-lok and Juninho impressing in midweek, Poon was chosen. His crossing was subpar when playing out wide, and he is not good enough to start in big games. Temirov works hard at times, but cannot create chances for himself, and there was very little service. 

There were too many wayward passes, and often Kitchee looked to go backwards, despite Helio, Russell and Wang all at risk of being exposed by Baffoe. Simple passes went awry, and this lead to many breakups in our attacking play, where a more clinical opponent would've scored against us, given our defence's lack of pace and ability on the ball. Mikael, Cleiton and Igor showed heart but none had the decisive edge that would have helped us win, despite Cleiton improving in the second half. Most of Kitchee's shots on targets were soft enough for Yapp to gather easily in the Eastern goal.

Credits to Erikson

Refereeing was inconsistent today, with Kitchee being given five yellow cards to Eastern's two, despite a number of fouls from Eastern. Saying that, Helio especially, and potentially Law as well were lucky to stay on the pitch, but Eastern had some questionable tackles and challenges which saw nothing given Kitchee's way, including Temirov being body slammed to the ground twice and Ramic being harshly booked for diving in the Eastern box- it was not a penalty but it was not a dive. VAR is still in its infancy in Hong Kong and needs serious review. Ramic handballed an Eastern cross, but fans, officials and VAR did not notice the incident until Sports Road posted a photo. The incident (and perceived bias in recent months) has led Eastern players, and the club itself, to criticise officiating on social media.

Kitchee's bench options were extremely limited, with Juninho the only senior attacker. Injuries are a part of football, but Kitchee are looking stretched at times, and none of Kitchee's young players are trusted in the league. Shinichi aside, the only league minutes for a player under 22 for Kitchee is Tuscany's 90 minutes in goal against HKU23. We are not saying that we should sub on inexperienced teenagers into derby day. But if they had been given some league football throughout the season, even if it was just second half cameos, it may give the coaching staff the confidence to use them towards the back end of the season, when it is clear players are tired and sometimes the chosen tactics are not working.

Credits to Erikson

What's next for Kitchee?

The business end of the season is upon us. Kitchee take on North District on Sunday 14th, 3pm at MK, before successive away days at Tai Po (20th) and HKU23 (28th). Six hugely important league games left.

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