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Sunday, 17 September 2017
Match Report - Week 3 - Pegasus v Kitchee - Fernando saves Kitchee Blushes on a bad day for Lucas as the HK Horse canters on!
Kitchee's good start to the season faltered slightly dropping 2 points against a spirited Pegasus team. Pegasus made it difficult for Kitchee throughout but the Blue Waves had enough chances that this game should have been put to bed. However, on what was an awful day for Lucas Silva, it was the Hong Kong Horse that took the lead with an 87th minute goal following a handling error by the usually dependable Wang Zheng Pang.
The whole stadium thought that that would spell the end of Kitchee's unbeaten streak in the league, spreading back to January, but Fernando smashed home an equaliser a few minutes later following a great cross by substitute Dani Cancela.
Even though there was only a few minutes left on the clock, the drama wasn't quite over and Kitchee could have stolen all three points at the death as Brazilian Lucas spurned a glorious opportunity from only 4 yards out. As such, both teams stay unbeaten for the season but probably both go away a little disappointed not to have taken the 3 points.
Angry Boundary Street was there to bring you this report...
Matt Lam returns with Sandro missing out...
Alex Chu largely stuck with the team that had so confidently dispatched of Dreams FC in the last game, the only change being the introduction of Matt Lam up front with Sandro dropping down to the subs bench. This was clearly more of a squad rotation play from Chu, who will want to ensure that all of his attacking options stay sharp, but perhaps he will regret this now as Kitchee severely missed Sandro's cutting edge up front.
The rest of the team was expected, with Wang Zheng Pang in goal marshaled by Bong, Helio and Tong Kin Man in defence and then a midfield three of Lam Zhi Gin, Vadocz, Huang Yang and Fernando.
Matt Lam was joined up front by Jared Lum and Lucas.
As it happened...
With both teams looking a little fearful of dropping their 100% start to the season, the game took a little while to come to life with few early chances for both teams. The first chance of note came in the 24th minute when Lam Zhi Gin, after good work from Matt Lam in the right corner, pick up the ball inside the area and shot narrowly over from 10 yards out. A few minutes later, Fernando then created something out of nowhere. Cutting back on the left wing, the Brazilian sent a curling a cross into the box. However, the boy from Salvador took everyone by surprise when the ball looped round, evading everyone, and only being kept out of the goal by the upright of the goal.
Photo by Scoop Lee
This chance seemed to wake Pegasus up a little and they quickly fought back with three great chances in quick succession, with Mbende Mbombe at the heart of everything. On 30 minutes, the little Cameroonian surged forward and unleashed a shot which went over the bar. Shortly after he created a superb opportunity for fellow countryman, Mahama Awal. Awal picked up the ball and played it to Mbende who sent a glorious return pass to Awal whose cut back was just narrowly behind the oncoming Leong Ka Hang. Lastly, on 39 minutes following a foul by Helio on Leong Ka Hang just outside the area after a ball fowrad by Mbombe, Joao Emir stepped up and hit a ferocious free kick that was luckily straight at Wang Zheng Pang who was able to palm the ball away to safety.
Photo by Scoop Lee
Despite these chances, the best opportunity to break the deadlock actually fell to Kitchee. Right at the end of the half, Lucas shrugged off his marker and cut in from the left hand side of the box. He let fly with a good hard shot from 20 yards which beat the keeper but bounced back off the post to the waiting Vadocz. Only 6 yards out, the usually cool Hungarian seemed to panic a little and slipped sending his shot into the waiting defenders who were able to deflect the ball wide for a corner. 0-0 at half time.
The chances continued after the break with Kitchee having the best of the first 20 minutes or so but Lucas, who scored 4 goals in the last outing, was in a uncharacteristically wasteful mood. The best of these chances game in the 49th Minute when Jared Lum played a good ball to Lam Zhi Gin inside the area. The ex-Hamburg player pulled the ball back perfectly to find Lucas unmarked on the penalty spot. With the goal at his mercy, the Brazilian was only able to blaze over the top of the bar from 12 yards out.
Photo by Scoop Lee
The game swung in the favour of Pegasus on 70 minutes when No.39 Travis Major replaced Chan Siu Ki. Major was to play a pivotal role in the remainder of the game and nearly gave Pegasus the lead with nearly his first touch of the ball. Following a wayward clearance by Helio the ball went out of play for a Pegasus corner. The ball was floated in ball Joao Emir and met by the head of Major who headed straight at Wang Zheng Pang from point blank range. The veteran keeper was able to turn the ball away and it was eventually scrambled to safety. Kitchee broke up the filed but soon gave the ball back to Pegasus and Major played in fellow substitute Jordan Lam who shot low towards the left hand post only for Pang to once again be the saviour for Kitchee - twice in as many minutes.
Despite there now only being 10 minutes left on the clock, there was still plenty of time for drama and lots of late chances. The first of these fell again to Brazilian Lucas Da Silva whom, after a great advantage played by the ref and a perfect cross from Fernando, glanced a header wide from only 5 yards out. The Brazilian really should have scored.
Pegasus capitalised on this good fortune and within 2 minutes were in front themselves. Joao Emir tried his luck with a curling effort from the edge of the area. WZ Pang got both hands to the ball and would have hoped to have done better as he spilled it to the oncoming Major who was able to tap in from just 2 yards out, sparking jubilant scenes as the couple of hundred HK Horse fans and the bench celebrated wildly. 1-0 to Pegasus.
With just a few minutes left on the clock, Pegasus had started playing for time but Kitchee weren't done. Substitute Dani Cancela picked up the ball and chased down the wing, cutting back he then sent a cross to the back post. The ball should have been cut out but fell at the feet of Fernando who hit it ferociously first time back at goal. Despite it being straight at Hing Kit Leung, the ball squirmed under his body and Kitchee were back level - Fernando once again the hero for Kitchee. A last minute equaliser and relief all round for the Blue Wave faithful.
That relief was so nearly turned into ecstasy when in the last of the additional four minutes of extra time, Fernando sent a teasing low cross into the box. The ball evaded the defenders and was missed by Alex at the near post. With Leung on the ground, the ball fell at the feet of Lucas inside the 6 yard box who only needed to slot home to give Kitchee the 3 points. However, the Brazilian was only able to play the ball back across the goal and straight at the grateful 'keeper who clung onto the ball and to the point for Pegasus.
The result leaves both teams tied at the top of HKPL with 7 points each after 3 games.
Good day for...
Photo by Scoop Lee
Fernando was once again at the heart of everything for Kitchee. As well as coming up with the goal to rescue the points for Kitchee late on, he also set up numerous other chances for both Lucas and Sandro which really should have been converted.
He will be annoyed that the team dropped points but will be happy that he got off the mark in what will be a massive season for the Brazilian.
Bad day for...
This will probably come as no surprise but this has to go to Lucas. After his four goal haul versus Dreams FC most fans thought that he was now rolling for Kitchee and would continue that form into this game. However, whilst the striker had a good first 45 minutes, creating his own chances and making space for the rest of the team, in the second half he wasted a number of brilliant opportunities to give Kitchee the lead. The missed chance in the last seconds of the game is definitely an early candidate for miss of the season.
We won't be too harsh on the Striker as you have to be there to score them and fans were encouraged by the way that Lucas continues to create chances for himself by harassing defenders. However, many were left questioning whether Kitchee would have taken all 3 points if Sandro had started up front instead.
We're sure that Lucas will be back to his old scoring ways soon.
Next up...
Kitchee will look to put the disappointment of this game behind them with a win against the struggling Eastern in the HK Community Cup on Saturday. The game takes place at Mong Kok Stadium and is a 17:30 kick off. Get there and support the boys!!
Kitchee's good start to the season faltered slightly dropping 2 points against a spirited Pegasus team. Pegasus made it difficult for Kitchee throughout but the Blue Waves had enough chances that this game should have been put to bed. However, on what was an awful day for Lucas Silva, it was the Hong Kong Horse that took the lead with an 87th minute goal following a handling error by the usually dependable Wang Zheng Pang.
The whole stadium thought that that would spell the end of Kitchee's unbeaten streak in the league, spreading back to January, but Fernando smashed home an equaliser a few minutes later following a great cross by substitute Dani Cancela.
Even though there was only a few minutes left on the clock, the drama wasn't quite over and Kitchee could have stolen all three points at the death as Brazilian Lucas spurned a glorious opportunity from only 4 yards out. As such, both teams stay unbeaten for the season but probably both go away a little disappointed not to have taken the 3 points.
Angry Boundary Street was there to bring you this report...
Matt Lam returns with Sandro missing out...
Alex Chu largely stuck with the team that had so confidently dispatched of Dreams FC in the last game, the only change being the introduction of Matt Lam up front with Sandro dropping down to the subs bench. This was clearly more of a squad rotation play from Chu, who will want to ensure that all of his attacking options stay sharp, but perhaps he will regret this now as Kitchee severely missed Sandro's cutting edge up front.
As it happened...
With both teams looking a little fearful of dropping their 100% start to the season, the game took a little while to come to life with few early chances for both teams. The first chance of note came in the 24th minute when Lam Zhi Gin, after good work from Matt Lam in the right corner, pick up the ball inside the area and shot narrowly over from 10 yards out. A few minutes later, Fernando then created something out of nowhere. Cutting back on the left wing, the Brazilian sent a curling a cross into the box. However, the boy from Salvador took everyone by surprise when the ball looped round, evading everyone, and only being kept out of the goal by the upright of the goal.
This chance seemed to wake Pegasus up a little and they quickly fought back with three great chances in quick succession, with Mbende Mbombe at the heart of everything. On 30 minutes, the little Cameroonian surged forward and unleashed a shot which went over the bar. Shortly after he created a superb opportunity for fellow countryman, Mahama Awal. Awal picked up the ball and played it to Mbende who sent a glorious return pass to Awal whose cut back was just narrowly behind the oncoming Leong Ka Hang. Lastly, on 39 minutes following a foul by Helio on Leong Ka Hang just outside the area after a ball fowrad by Mbombe, Joao Emir stepped up and hit a ferocious free kick that was luckily straight at Wang Zheng Pang who was able to palm the ball away to safety.
Despite these chances, the best opportunity to break the deadlock actually fell to Kitchee. Right at the end of the half, Lucas shrugged off his marker and cut in from the left hand side of the box. He let fly with a good hard shot from 20 yards which beat the keeper but bounced back off the post to the waiting Vadocz. Only 6 yards out, the usually cool Hungarian seemed to panic a little and slipped sending his shot into the waiting defenders who were able to deflect the ball wide for a corner. 0-0 at half time.
The chances continued after the break with Kitchee having the best of the first 20 minutes or so but Lucas, who scored 4 goals in the last outing, was in a uncharacteristically wasteful mood. The best of these chances game in the 49th Minute when Jared Lum played a good ball to Lam Zhi Gin inside the area. The ex-Hamburg player pulled the ball back perfectly to find Lucas unmarked on the penalty spot. With the goal at his mercy, the Brazilian was only able to blaze over the top of the bar from 12 yards out.
The game swung in the favour of Pegasus on 70 minutes when No.39 Travis Major replaced Chan Siu Ki. Major was to play a pivotal role in the remainder of the game and nearly gave Pegasus the lead with nearly his first touch of the ball. Following a wayward clearance by Helio the ball went out of play for a Pegasus corner. The ball was floated in ball Joao Emir and met by the head of Major who headed straight at Wang Zheng Pang from point blank range. The veteran keeper was able to turn the ball away and it was eventually scrambled to safety. Kitchee broke up the filed but soon gave the ball back to Pegasus and Major played in fellow substitute Jordan Lam who shot low towards the left hand post only for Pang to once again be the saviour for Kitchee - twice in as many minutes.
Despite there now only being 10 minutes left on the clock, there was still plenty of time for drama and lots of late chances. The first of these fell again to Brazilian Lucas Da Silva whom, after a great advantage played by the ref and a perfect cross from Fernando, glanced a header wide from only 5 yards out. The Brazilian really should have scored.
Pegasus capitalised on this good fortune and within 2 minutes were in front themselves. Joao Emir tried his luck with a curling effort from the edge of the area. WZ Pang got both hands to the ball and would have hoped to have done better as he spilled it to the oncoming Major who was able to tap in from just 2 yards out, sparking jubilant scenes as the couple of hundred HK Horse fans and the bench celebrated wildly. 1-0 to Pegasus.
With just a few minutes left on the clock, Pegasus had started playing for time but Kitchee weren't done. Substitute Dani Cancela picked up the ball and chased down the wing, cutting back he then sent a cross to the back post. The ball should have been cut out but fell at the feet of Fernando who hit it ferociously first time back at goal. Despite it being straight at Hing Kit Leung, the ball squirmed under his body and Kitchee were back level - Fernando once again the hero for Kitchee. A last minute equaliser and relief all round for the Blue Wave faithful.
That relief was so nearly turned into ecstasy when in the last of the additional four minutes of extra time, Fernando sent a teasing low cross into the box. The ball evaded the defenders and was missed by Alex at the near post. With Leung on the ground, the ball fell at the feet of Lucas inside the 6 yard box who only needed to slot home to give Kitchee the 3 points. However, the Brazilian was only able to play the ball back across the goal and straight at the grateful 'keeper who clung onto the ball and to the point for Pegasus.
The result leaves both teams tied at the top of HKPL with 7 points each after 3 games.
Good day for...
Fernando was once again at the heart of everything for Kitchee. As well as coming up with the goal to rescue the points for Kitchee late on, he also set up numerous other chances for both Lucas and Sandro which really should have been converted.
He will be annoyed that the team dropped points but will be happy that he got off the mark in what will be a massive season for the Brazilian.
The whole stadium thought that that would spell the end of Kitchee's unbeaten streak in the league, spreading back to January, but Fernando smashed home an equaliser a few minutes later following a great cross by substitute Dani Cancela.
Even though there was only a few minutes left on the clock, the drama wasn't quite over and Kitchee could have stolen all three points at the death as Brazilian Lucas spurned a glorious opportunity from only 4 yards out. As such, both teams stay unbeaten for the season but probably both go away a little disappointed not to have taken the 3 points.
Angry Boundary Street was there to bring you this report...
Matt Lam returns with Sandro missing out...
Alex Chu largely stuck with the team that had so confidently dispatched of Dreams FC in the last game, the only change being the introduction of Matt Lam up front with Sandro dropping down to the subs bench. This was clearly more of a squad rotation play from Chu, who will want to ensure that all of his attacking options stay sharp, but perhaps he will regret this now as Kitchee severely missed Sandro's cutting edge up front.
The rest of the team was expected, with Wang Zheng Pang in goal marshaled by Bong, Helio and Tong Kin Man in defence and then a midfield three of Lam Zhi Gin, Vadocz, Huang Yang and Fernando.
Matt Lam was joined up front by Jared Lum and Lucas.
Matt Lam was joined up front by Jared Lum and Lucas.
As it happened...
With both teams looking a little fearful of dropping their 100% start to the season, the game took a little while to come to life with few early chances for both teams. The first chance of note came in the 24th minute when Lam Zhi Gin, after good work from Matt Lam in the right corner, pick up the ball inside the area and shot narrowly over from 10 yards out. A few minutes later, Fernando then created something out of nowhere. Cutting back on the left wing, the Brazilian sent a curling a cross into the box. However, the boy from Salvador took everyone by surprise when the ball looped round, evading everyone, and only being kept out of the goal by the upright of the goal.
 |
| Photo by Scoop Lee |
 |
| Photo by Scoop Lee |
The chances continued after the break with Kitchee having the best of the first 20 minutes or so but Lucas, who scored 4 goals in the last outing, was in a uncharacteristically wasteful mood. The best of these chances game in the 49th Minute when Jared Lum played a good ball to Lam Zhi Gin inside the area. The ex-Hamburg player pulled the ball back perfectly to find Lucas unmarked on the penalty spot. With the goal at his mercy, the Brazilian was only able to blaze over the top of the bar from 12 yards out.
 |
| Photo by Scoop Lee |
Despite there now only being 10 minutes left on the clock, there was still plenty of time for drama and lots of late chances. The first of these fell again to Brazilian Lucas Da Silva whom, after a great advantage played by the ref and a perfect cross from Fernando, glanced a header wide from only 5 yards out. The Brazilian really should have scored.
Pegasus capitalised on this good fortune and within 2 minutes were in front themselves. Joao Emir tried his luck with a curling effort from the edge of the area. WZ Pang got both hands to the ball and would have hoped to have done better as he spilled it to the oncoming Major who was able to tap in from just 2 yards out, sparking jubilant scenes as the couple of hundred HK Horse fans and the bench celebrated wildly. 1-0 to Pegasus.
That relief was so nearly turned into ecstasy when in the last of the additional four minutes of extra time, Fernando sent a teasing low cross into the box. The ball evaded the defenders and was missed by Alex at the near post. With Leung on the ground, the ball fell at the feet of Lucas inside the 6 yard box who only needed to slot home to give Kitchee the 3 points. However, the Brazilian was only able to play the ball back across the goal and straight at the grateful 'keeper who clung onto the ball and to the point for Pegasus.
The result leaves both teams tied at the top of HKPL with 7 points each after 3 games.
Good day for...
 |
| Photo by Scoop Lee |
He will be annoyed that the team dropped points but will be happy that he got off the mark in what will be a massive season for the Brazilian.
Bad day for...
This will probably come as no surprise but this has to go to Lucas. After his four goal haul versus Dreams FC most fans thought that he was now rolling for Kitchee and would continue that form into this game. However, whilst the striker had a good first 45 minutes, creating his own chances and making space for the rest of the team, in the second half he wasted a number of brilliant opportunities to give Kitchee the lead. The missed chance in the last seconds of the game is definitely an early candidate for miss of the season.
We won't be too harsh on the Striker as you have to be there to score them and fans were encouraged by the way that Lucas continues to create chances for himself by harassing defenders. However, many were left questioning whether Kitchee would have taken all 3 points if Sandro had started up front instead.
We're sure that Lucas will be back to his old scoring ways soon.
We won't be too harsh on the Striker as you have to be there to score them and fans were encouraged by the way that Lucas continues to create chances for himself by harassing defenders. However, many were left questioning whether Kitchee would have taken all 3 points if Sandro had started up front instead.
We're sure that Lucas will be back to his old scoring ways soon.
Next up...
Kitchee will look to put the disappointment of this game behind them with a win against the struggling Eastern in the HK Community Cup on Saturday. The game takes place at Mong Kok Stadium and is a 17:30 kick off. Get there and support the boys!!
Kitchee will look to put the disappointment of this game behind them with a win against the struggling Eastern in the HK Community Cup on Saturday. The game takes place at Mong Kok Stadium and is a 17:30 kick off. Get there and support the boys!!
Match Report - Week 2 - Dreams left shattered after Brazilian brute goes on the rampage
Dreams left shattered after Brazilian brute goes on the rampage
Kitchee returned to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon to take on, Premier League newcomers, Dreams FC. After his late penalty miss for the national team mid-week, all eyes were on centre forward Sandro but in the end it was another Brazilian born player, Kitchee new boy, Lucas Silva that stole the headlines bagging 4 goals as Kitchee demolished Dreams 7:0.
Angry Boundary Street was there to bring you this report.
Fernando returns to the line as Chu shuffles his deck
Alex Chu stuck with his preferred 3-4-3 formation but shuffled his deck slightly with Dani Cancela, who looked a little unnerved at full back in the last game against Eastern, making way for Tong King Man. Along side him were Helio, fresh from a superb performance for HK, and Kim Bong Jin.
In midfield, Fernando, now fit, came back into the team with birthday boy Matt Lam ultimately missing out. Huang Yuang (c) and Vadocz remained in midfield with Lam Zhi Gin given a second chance on the wing.
Lucas remained on his own up front with Alessandro, replacing Alex, one side and Jared Lum the other.
On the bench were Recio, Cancela, Chris, Alex, Lo Kwan Ye, Lam Kai Wai and Guo Jianqiao.
Fears of a slow start unfounded...
After a difficult first match versus Eastern, your correspondent was worried that the Bluewaves might, in similar fashion to last season, make another slow start to the campaign. These fears were unfounded with Kitchee coming tearing out of the blocks. Even before the deadlock was broken after 29 Minutes, they had had a number of decent chances with Lum, Lucas and Vadocz all having opportunities.
However, it fell to Lucas to put Kitchee 1:0 up on the half hour. Following a corner, Helio turned the ball back into the Dreams area and found Sandro who pulled the ball back to Vadocz. The Hungarian laid the ball off to Lucas who nicely place the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. 1-0 Kitchee.
Lucas had the chance to double the lead a few minutes later following a good cross by Fernando but the Brazilian striker fluffed his lines and Chai Wan Ho was able to clear. In any event, Kitchee's new number 9 did not have long to wait for his second goal as he was awarded a penalty after being fouled in the area. It was a very soft award but Lucas stepped up confidently and blasted the ball home.
Shortly before half time, Dreams, who only had 3 shots all game, did have an opportunity to pull one back but, former Eastern Player, Lam Him Ting pulled his shot the wrong side of the oncoming Wang Zhang Peng's post.
Kitchee continued to run away with the match after half time and added to the scoring further with a penalty by Sandro, after Fernando was fouled in the area by Chai Wan Ho. With all eyes on Sandro following his miss for the national team in mid-week, the fan's favourite dispatched the ball confidently into the top right hand corner of the goal.
A quality Jared Lum finish was sandwiched by two goals by Lucas and then the scoring was finished when Kitchee Legend Lo Kwan Yee slotted home - this was greeted by the biggest cheer of the night from the Kitchee faithful.
In all Kitchee amassed 23 shots on goal and had even more good chances following the 7th goal to score even more. We were slightly disappointed by Dreams FC whom offered very little and from whom we expected more of following their excellent debut versus Tai Po.
A Good Day for...
Obviously Lucas had a great day, scoring his first 4 league goals for Kitchee but actually we give our award to Fernando. The man Salvador missed the season opener through injury but was at the heart of everything for Kitchee. It looks as if it could be another excellent year for the wing wizard and hopefully he can prove himself on the ACL stage.
Attendance: 1422 - Disappointing but baring in mind that Dreams FC will have very few fans of their own perhaps not surprising. Hopefully we can get back to 2000+ at the next home match at Mong Kok stadium.
Kitchee returned to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon to take on, Premier League newcomers, Dreams FC. After his late penalty miss for the national team mid-week, all eyes were on centre forward Sandro but in the end it was another Brazilian born player, Kitchee new boy, Lucas Silva that stole the headlines bagging 4 goals as Kitchee demolished Dreams 7:0.
Angry Boundary Street was there to bring you this report.
Fernando returns to the line as Chu shuffles his deck
In midfield, Fernando, now fit, came back into the team with birthday boy Matt Lam ultimately missing out. Huang Yuang (c) and Vadocz remained in midfield with Lam Zhi Gin given a second chance on the wing.
Lucas remained on his own up front with Alessandro, replacing Alex, one side and Jared Lum the other.
On the bench were Recio, Cancela, Chris, Alex, Lo Kwan Ye, Lam Kai Wai and Guo Jianqiao.
Fears of a slow start unfounded...
After a difficult first match versus Eastern, your correspondent was worried that the Bluewaves might, in similar fashion to last season, make another slow start to the campaign. These fears were unfounded with Kitchee coming tearing out of the blocks. Even before the deadlock was broken after 29 Minutes, they had had a number of decent chances with Lum, Lucas and Vadocz all having opportunities.
 |
| Photo by Ben Wang |
Lucas had the chance to double the lead a few minutes later following a good cross by Fernando but the Brazilian striker fluffed his lines and Chai Wan Ho was able to clear. In any event, Kitchee's new number 9 did not have long to wait for his second goal as he was awarded a penalty after being fouled in the area. It was a very soft award but Lucas stepped up confidently and blasted the ball home.
Shortly before half time, Dreams, who only had 3 shots all game, did have an opportunity to pull one back but, former Eastern Player, Lam Him Ting pulled his shot the wrong side of the oncoming Wang Zhang Peng's post.
Kitchee continued to run away with the match after half time and added to the scoring further with a penalty by Sandro, after Fernando was fouled in the area by Chai Wan Ho. With all eyes on Sandro following his miss for the national team in mid-week, the fan's favourite dispatched the ball confidently into the top right hand corner of the goal.
 |
| Photo by Ben Wang |
In all Kitchee amassed 23 shots on goal and had even more good chances following the 7th goal to score even more. We were slightly disappointed by Dreams FC whom offered very little and from whom we expected more of following their excellent debut versus Tai Po.
A Good Day for...
Obviously Lucas had a great day, scoring his first 4 league goals for Kitchee but actually we give our award to Fernando. The man Salvador missed the season opener through injury but was at the heart of everything for Kitchee. It looks as if it could be another excellent year for the wing wizard and hopefully he can prove himself on the ACL stage.
Attendance: 1422 - Disappointing but baring in mind that Dreams FC will have very few fans of their own perhaps not surprising. Hopefully we can get back to 2000+ at the next home match at Mong Kok stadium.
Next match: 17th of September 5:30 Vs Hong Kong Pegasus - Happy Valley stadium. Next up is the surprise package of the season so far. Pegasus have made a fantastic start and are 2 games unbeaten with victories over Southern (1-0) and R&F (3-2). This should be a fantastic match.
Match Report: Game 1 - Vadocz strike enough to seal 3 points for Kitchee in Season Opener
Kitchen kicked-off the defence of their Premier League title on Friday night with a valuable 3 points against arch-rivals, and last season’s runners-up, Eastern.
Under the floodlights at Mong Kok stadium, in front of just under 4400 eager fans, the game failed to reach the heights of last season’s epic finale and a sole goal from Krisztian Vadocz was enough to give Kitchee the win. However, in a league where 1 or 2 points can determine where the title ends up, the Bluewaves will be delighted to have put some clear daylight between themselves and their closest challengers at such an early stage.
Angry Boundary Street regulars, Owen Ford and Charlie Markillie, brings us their review of the match.
Chu keeps faith in tried and tested system
The starting 11 was perhaps not quite as expected, with the surprise exclusion of both the player of the year and golden boot winner from last season, Fernando and Sandro.
However, the stage was well set for Lucas Silva to make his eagerly anticipated competitive debut, with Alex and Matt Lam providing the bruising Brazilian bruiser with support upfront. The midfield was anchored by Huang Yang and Krisztian Vadocz, with Jared Lum and Lam Zhi Gin on the wings.
In defence, Dani, Helio and Kim BJ provided protection to veteran 'keeper, Kitchee Legend, Wang Zheng Pang.
One is enough for Kitchee but it could have been more
Both teams knew, even at this early stage of the season, that this match could turn out to be the title decider and this lead to a very lively start to the match, with plenty of hard tackles and fouls in the the early stages of the game. However, the ref was in unforgiving mood and did hesitate to break out the yellow cards quick and early with Bai He being booked for the Easterners after just 4 minutes for a foul on Vadocz.
The tension between the two teams continued to build throughout the initial exchanges and this seemed to come to a head after 17 minutes. After Lam Zhi Gin had been fouled by Ch Lee, Lucas picked up the ball and tried to play the advantage. With the Brazilian clean through on goal and a fantastic opportunity one-on-one to get off the mark for Kitchee, the referee decided to pull pull play back and award a free-kick to Eastern. This decision seemed to bemuse most in the stadium and resulted in Lam Zhi Gin being booked for his protestations but not before there was a scuffle involving a number of players from both sides.
Despite this excitement, there was not a large number of clear chances for either team in the first half - the best opportunity probably being a long range effort by Alex from about 250 yards out which the Kitchee striker saw graze off the top of the cross bar. Just before half time, Lucas thought he had got his debut goal after being put in by Vadocz but this was correctly ruled out for offside.
Szeto Man Chun's first half time team talk as Eastern Coach seemed to have fired up his steeds and after the break Lo Kong Wai thought he had put the Long Lions ahead, after good work by Michele Lugo on the wing. However, the strike was ruled out much to the relief of the large majority of the watching supporters.
With nearly 70 minutes on the clock, coach Alex Chu started to prepare Fernando in order to inject a bit more pace into what was becoming more of an open game. However, the Brazilian was told to sit back down, after Vadocz took advantage of a lucky ricochet from a Alex's pass to tuck the ball past Hong Kong goalkeeper Yap Hung Fai and give the Bluewaves the lead.
With the one goal advantage in the bag, Kitchee managed to see the game out with Eastern continuing to offer very little upfront. In fact, with good chances from substitute Sandro, Kitchee seemed more likely to add to their goal tally than Eastern did to add an equaliser.
What have we learnt?
However, its clear that Kitchee will continue to employ the same mentality as last season and fans will be very happy with some of the football that was played on the night. The team worked hard and the back 3 with Vadocz acting as the holding midfielder looked solid and hard to break down.
The main issue seemed to be taking the chances that came our way. This begs the question why Kitchee's player of last season, Fernando Pedreira, was not included at all. At times in the second half the game was crying out for his quality. Its unclear whether or not he had a pre-season niggle or whether Alex Chu wanted to experiment with some different options, but we would expect to see him included for round 2 against Dreams FC.
Big night for Lucas in difficult circumstances
After the match, Lucas himself announced that his brother had died the day before the game. For him to play so well and show such strength in amazingly difficult circumstances really does testify to the character of the player. Our thoughts go out to Lucas Silva and his family and we hope to continue to see him out on the pitch doing what he does best!
What about Eastern?
As for Eastern they did not have any real stand out players, James McKee seemed to once again be the man who was going to turn the game in their favour with his darting runs forward. He didn't get many clear chances on goal but it looked as if he wasn't getting enough service from his team mates.
Which leads me onto the much anticipated return of Michelle Lugo! At times it looked as if he had the potential to change the game and had two good chances in the first half but in truth he never really got going. In all fairness to the Brazilian he played the game in a good spirit, even resisting the urge to get involved in the scuffle that broke out after the Lam Zhi Gin incident, on an occasion where the majority of Kitchee fans wanted to remind him of his petulant behaviour last season.
Final Thoughts
However, off the ball they looked very well drilled and well managed, the team looked in good shape and seemed to be very fit - this really showed in the last 10 minutes. The team seems to have continued their form from the backend of last season and the club seems to be in a good place for what will hopefully be a fantastic year for the club
Attendance: 4397
Yuen Long Friendly Match Report
So, Kitchee finished their pre-season preparations with a friendly versus fellow Hong Kong Premier League side, Yuen Long.Yuen Long have really established themselves as a solid unit in the HKPL in recent years and so many were expecting this to be a decent tester for the season in front. Of course, friendlies will never be played in the same manner as a competitive fixture but, if this match is anything to go on, hopefully the upcoming season will be another good one for the Bluewaves, with Kitchee running out 6-1 winners on an absolutely scorching afternoon.
Sandro bagged himself two goals (the first a glorious first time finish into the far right hand corner and the other a penalty), Vadocz carried on his good scoring form in pre-season notching another from close range after beating the YL defender to a loose ball following a corner , Super Matty Lam scored twice in two minutes (the first a good long distance effort and the second from the edge of the area) and then Huang Yang finished off the scoring in the 69th minute with arguably the goal of the game - a curler from 25 yards or so..
It got a bit heated in the closing stages after a late challenge caught Vadocz on the left ankle and the Hungarian picked up a yellow card for his retaliation - but it doesn't appear as if the influential midfielder should be injured for the season opener on Friday.
The team lined up as follows:1. Wang Zhen Peng
5. Helio
7. Fernando
8. Alex
10. Lam Ka Wai
11. Sandro
16. Jared Lum
19. Huang Yang
20. Matt Lam
21. Tong Kin Man
32. Vadocz
From the friendlies played, it looks as if Kitchee will continue to play with 3 at the back this season and then load the midfield - who can blame them with the quality they have available. Matt Lam, Sandro and Alex played up front. Alex will be disappointed not have got on the score sheet and will presumably make way for Lucas in the first league game.
So, all eyes now turn to the big match on Friday and the clash versus the old enemy, Eastern. Games between the big boys can often be disappointing when they are played early on in the season, as players are yet to hit top form.
However, with so much animosity between the two teams (and sets of fans) after last year's exciting finish, this will hopefully be a rip-roarer. Friday night, 8pm, Mong Kok Stadium - what's not to like?!
If you are thinking of going to Mong Kok for the game and have never been before, please check out our FAQ...
Highlights here:
Kitchee 6 - 1 Yuen Long
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