Another win, another clean sheet as Kanda's strike seals all three points- Kitchee 1 Lee Man 0

Summary

Kitchee's winning run in the league extended to nine games, as Yumemi Kanda's strike just before the hour mark sealed a vital three points. A crowd of over two thousand witnessed the crucial Sunday night encounter, where despite a number of uncompromising tackles, the only yellow cards shown were for dissent and timewasting, in the final stages.

Team news

Kitchee switched back to a back three formation, with captain Tan Chun-lok coming in for Jay Haddow. Roger Riera was sidelined with an eye injury, alongside longterm absentees Law Tsz-chun and Matthew Slattery. New signing Martin Merquelanz (more on him later) was also left out, as he returns to full fitness.

Bear; Dantas, Jason (Ari 83), Beattie; Mingazow, Lok (c) (Lung 83), Illarramendi, Juninho (Jordan 73);
Kendy (Leandro 73), Kanda (Haddow 61); Adrian

Unused subs: Wang, Anson

Match events

Bear saved from Noah early on, before Kitchee went close a couple of times as both sides sought to gain a foothold. Bear was called into action when he kept out Tursunov's header with a superb save as the Uzbek rose highest at a Wong Wai corner, and soon afterwards Leung Hing-kit in the Lee Man goal pulled off a similar quality save to deny Adrian's header, and the sides went in at half time level.

Just before the hour mark, Illarramendi played a short pass to Kanda who played the ball back onto his right foot and scored a fantastic goal from outside the box. Soon after Adrian should have doubled Kitchee's lead but he missed with the goal gaping. Kitchee then spent a lot of the remaining thirty minutes defending their own box, as Lee Man brought on more and more attackers, but Kitchee held firm for a monumental win. The first double over Lee Man since 2018/19, and the first time Kitchee had been undefeated against Lee Man in a league season since 2020/21 (ignoring the solitary encounter of 2021/22 which ended in a draw).

Fan feedback

The unbeaten run continues, with another win and another clean sheet in a crucial match. Kitchee controlled possession and the game, but Lee Man did pose an aerial threat at set pieces. Illarramendi continues to show his class, and has played the full ninety minutes in the last eight games, ending any doubt about his fitness levels. Yumemi Kanda has been incredible this season, and yet again delivered a clutch performance with the only goal. Kitchee currently do not look like being beaten, and yet again Calderon's subs kept up the same intensity. Kitchee will hope Riera's injury does not sideline him for too long, and that Jason Kam being taken off was a precaution, as they seek to regain the title after two poor seasons. 

What's next and other news

Last week Kitchee announced the signing of Spanish winger Martin Merquelanz, who last played for FC Andorra. A teammate at Real Sociedad with Illarramendi, Martin made his senior debut coming on for the Champions League winner. Predominantly a left winger, he has also played centrally and on the right, and has a lot of experience in the top leagues in Spain. We look forward to seeing what he can do this season.

This weekend a Hong Kong team (minus the majority of those based abroad) take on FC Seoul of South Korea in the Lunar New Year Cup. Quite frankly its a pointless fixture with the focus on reaching government KPIs and earning money, rather than benefitting the players involved. HKFA have spent more time promoting the entertainment acts than the players involved. Kitchee have Pong Cheuk-hei, Jay Haddow, Jason Kam, Jordan Lam, Tan Chun-lok and Juninho in the squad.

Kitchee's next game is another Sunday night, on the 1st March. Hong Kong Football Club will come to TKO, as Kitchee aim to go for ten wins in a row. Hope to see you there.

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Match highlights

Another clean sheet as winning run continues- Kitchee 3 Southern 0

Summary

Kitchee extended the winning run with a comprehensive victory at home to Southern. On a wet Saturday in TKO, goals from Jason Kam, Dantas and substitute Jordan Lam made it an easy win. Kitchee were dominant and could have scored more, with the margin of victory allowing key players to come off with the crucial game against Lee Man in two weeks in mind.

Team news

Roger Riera was suspended, having previously not missed a minute this season. Lok and Leandro dropped to the bench. Jason Kam came in at centre back, with Kendy and Mingazow coming in further forward. Mingazow captained Kitchee from the start for the first time in his career, having previously taken on the armband in the latter stages of games. There were also a return to the bench for Seb Buddle, having not been in a matchday squad since September due to injury.

Bear; Haddow (Buddle 82), Dantas, Jason, Beattie; Illarramendi, Mingazow (c) (Anson 77), Kendy, Kanda (Lok 74), Juninho (Jordan 74); Adrian (Lung 82)

Unused subs: Wang, Leandro, Adrian Chan, Ari Lam

Match events

Juninho was heavily involved early on, with a nice cross from the left not met by anyone. He also forced a save from Ivan Ng after winning the ball back just outside the box. Illarramendi went close with an acrobatic effort, as Kitchee were dominant, and they got their goal halfway through the half. Kendys low corner evaded everyone in the box, and Adrian peeled off to shoot goalward, where Jason Kam flicked it in for his first professional goal. Shu Sasaki almost equalised with Southern's only chance of note; after a corner was cleared out, he struck the ball on the volley just over the bar.

Kitchee continued to dominate in the second half, with Juninho denied by a great save. Just after 70 minutes, Kendys freekick was headed in by Dantas for his second Kitchee goal as another set piece paid dividends. Tan Chun-lok and Jordan Lam then came on, with the latter scoring almost immediately from Mingazows cross to also score his second Kitchee goal. At 3-0 Kitchee were cruising, and with a crunch game in 2 weeks against Lee Man, Calderon brought off Mingazow, Adrian and Jay Haddow. It was great to see Seb Buddle make his first appearance since April, after a few injuries in the last 9 months. Bring on Lee Man

Fan feedback

A straightforward win, with enough to get past Southern without breaking a sweat. This was actually Kitchee's first home win over Southern since October 2022, as the last two league meetings ended in draws with Kitchee massively underperforming against a bogey team. The team adapted well to the poor weather conditions, and were able to manage player minutes, with Tan Chun-lok coming off the bench with bigger games ahead. The defence was largely untroubled, although a little bit chaotic in getting the ball out of Kitchee's half, but Southern had no answer to Kitchee's attack. On another day Kitchee could have easily had five or six- Kitchee should have had one penalty, maybe two, and did miss a few good chances as Southern were relatively disciplined, just not good enough. Great personal milestone for Jason Kam to score his first goal in his breakout season, with Dantas and Jordan both doubling their Kitchee goal tallies, and it eases the pressure on the attackers knowing that there are goals throughout the team, albeit the vast majority are still attacking players. Kitchee have used set pieces as a bit of a weapon recently, both in unsettling opponents and in the case of this week, scoring twice. The Lee Man game in two weeks will prove a key benchmark in how far Kitchee have come; both sides enter the game in a fairly freescoring way- Kitchee have scored ten and given up two in their last three games while Lee Man have scored twenty goals in their last four, while letting in five. It promises to be a huge game, and a win for Kitchee would put them into the driving seat for the league, while even a point maintains Kitchee's advantage.

What's next

Lee Man at TKO on the 15th February, at 6pm. Hong Kong will take on FC Seoul of South Korea on the 21st February. 

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Highlights

Kitchee start off the TKO era with three points to extend the winning run- Kitchee 4 Tai Po 2

Summary

Kitchee began the new (hopefully temporary) era at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground with a crucial three points against Tai Po. At a stadium where the 'running track' around the outside resembled a building site, goals from Yumemi Kanda (2), Juninho and Adrian Revilla put Kitchee into a 4-0 lead. Naturally the intensity dwindled in the second half, which allowed Tai Po to score two consolations from near-identical corners.

Team news

Kitchee swapped to a back four again, with Dantas returning from suspension, and Haddow and Kanda being promoted from the bench. Jason Kam and Jordan Lam dropped to the bench, with Kendy out of the matchday squad. Law Tsz-chun and Matthew Slattery remained injured and neither seem like they will return soon.

Bear; Haddow (Jason 74), Riera, Dantas, Beattie (Jordan 82); Lok (c) (Lung 74), Illarra, Leandro, Kanda, Juninho (Anson 74); Adrian (Mingazow 74)

Unused subs: Wang, Chan Shing-chun

Match events

Leandro flicked onto the bar from Haddows cross early on, which was a sign of things to come. Soon afterwards, another cross from the right was cushioned by Juninho to Kanda, who took a touch and fired home. Just past the halfway stage of the half, another Haddow cross was met at the back post by the diving Juninho to double Kitchee's lead. As half time approached, Kitchee scored their third after an outstanding corner routine that caught Tai Po off guard. From the left hand side Juninho played it short to Kanda, who passed back to Illarra before running into the box. Illarra played it across to Haddow, who played a perfectly-weighted chip into the box which Kanda met, evading the dive of Tse Ka-wing and stunning the nearly 1500 fans. Almost bang on half time Haddow popped up on the left hand side to square the ball across to Adrian who scored for the fourth game in a row. 4-0 at halftime, and Kitchee were in dreamland, with their largest half time lead since being 5-0 up at Kowloon City away in November 2024. 

As is often the case in one-sided games like this, the second half was fairly dull. Leandro and Tai Po's Valverde traded wayward long shots, and as the game meandered to a close Tai Po scored from two corners, while Cheng Chin-lung and Anson Wong both went close to extending Kitchee's lead. Michel Renner hit the bar and post in the closing stages but Kitchee held on for a 4-2 win. Seven league wins in a row, ten unbeaten in all competitions, and thirteen unbeaten in the league (including the final game of last season).

Fan feedback

A game of two halves, where Kitchee's phenomenal intensity in the first half was unlikely to be maintained. Kitchee were able to give key players rest with the game secured, albeit Tai Po did find some life near the end of the game. The tactical flexibility of the side makes us a challenge to anyone, and Calderon trusts the majority of the squad, which allows for changes to keep the team fresh. Jay Haddow was outstanding at right back, and Yumemi Kanda's brace was well deserved. Juninho and Adrian also impressed, but in general it was a very good team performance, and the two consolations flattered Tai Po. Leandro Martinez missed a number of chances throughout the game, as has been the story of our season, and on another day Kitchee could have scored seven or eight. The squad could probably still do with a better back up for Adrian up front and another defender as cover, and Calderon revealed post-match that another versatile midfielder is coming in imminently.

What's next 

Southern at TKO next Saturday. A 3pm kickoff as Kitchee look to extend the winning streak and remain out at the top of the table.

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Match highlights

Winning run continues as late goals seal comfortable victory- Rangers 0 Kitchee 3

Written by Adam O'Domhnaill

Summary

Kitchee won their sixth game in a row, and extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine games. In a scrappy game on a poor quality Tsing Yi pitch, Illarramendi's first time strike from distance just after the half hour put Kitchee ahead. A drab game saw a lack of real chances, but Kitchee's substitutes offered some energy late on, with debutant Anson Wong grabbing an assist for Adrian and a goal (assisted by fellow substitute Mingazow) sealing another three points and a clean sheet.

Line up

Dantas remained banned, with Law and Slattery still injured. Mingazow returned to the bench. Juninho and Jordan Lam came in for Jay Haddow and Yumemi Kanda, as Kitchee switched back to the back three that had served them well in recent games.

Bear; Riera, Jason, Beattie; Juninho (Mingazow 74), Lok (c) (Haddow 74), Illarra, Jordan (Anson 65); Kendy, Leandro (Kanda 65); Adrian (Lung)

Unused subs: Wang, Adrian Chan, Ari Lam

Match events

Adrian hit the bar early from a tight angle, before Kitchee forced Rangers into a wayward shot after a long ball forward. After very few clear cut chances, good recycling of possession from Juninho and Kendy set up Illarra for his first Kitchee goal with a sweetly struck first time strike. Kitchee had had a few half chances in the first half but nothing that properly tested the goalkeeper.

Early in the second half Tan Chun-lok broke free and tested the keeper from a tight angle early in the first half, while the Kitchee defence dealt with another long ball to Ibrahim who posed a few questions. As the game meandered towards a close Kendy played in sub Anson Wong down the left who crossed for Adrian to double the lead. Mingazow then teed up Anson who scored to seal a memorable debut and a 3-0 win. Beattie tested the keeper from range in stoppage time as Kitchee extended the winning run to 6 in a row, and 9 unbeaten in all comps, as Kitchee's away games of the regular season are complete, with Kitchee only dropping two points.

Fan feedback

Calderon's tactical flexibility can be shown in the way the team has seamlessly shifted between a back 3 and a back 4 between games but also from game to game. The three man defence allows Jason Kam to break out of defence but also allows Tan Chun-lok to break forward and support the attack. Sometimes in dull games you need a moment of magic, which Illarramendi provided and was awarded the man of the match award, although in our opinion Adrian Revilla and Tan Chun-lok were also impressive. There is no denying that it was a fairly dull game of football, but Kitchee did not really need to move up a gear, and the late goals gave Kitchee a clinical edge they have maybe been lacking in recent games. Anson Wong, Mingazow and Jay Haddow all impressed off the bench, providing Calderon with something of a selection dilemma for the coming weeks. The team has shown an ability to adapt to player absences and the last two games have emphasised this with Dantas being suspended, showing a strength in depth and trust in the fringe players not seen by Kitchee managers in recent years. Fans still discuss whether another signing or two could be required; either another centre back as cover or another player to take the workload off Adrian, who has played over ninety percent of Kitchee's minutes.

What's next

Seven 'home' games in a row at Tseung Kwan O, starting next Sunday. 3pm, 25th January against Tai Po. The league then splits after these games, and Kitchee will hope to keep momentum and put themselves in a strong position to claim a first league title in three years. Kitchee currently lead Lee Man by nine points (albeit they have two games in hand and still have to play Kitchee again) and lead Tai Po by ten points.

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Match highlights

Rusty performance but Kitchee emerge victorious from HKFC clash- HKFC 1 Kitchee 2

Written by Adam O'Domhnaill

Kitchee started 2026 with their fifth league win in a row. First half goals from Adrian and Kanda gave Kitchee a 2-0 lead, before Dietrich pulled one back from a corner in stoppage time. The second half passed without much incident, and neither side really looked like scoring again, with the result sends Kitchee seven points clear at the top. 

Law fractured his collarbone in U22 game, while Dantas suspended retroactively after an incident in the Southern away game- a quirk of the shambolic organisation of the HKFA disciplinary committee that only meets once a month. Mingazow and Slattery were also injured. Kitchee made three changes, with Haddow, Beattie and Kendy coming in for Ari, Dantas and Juninho as Kitchee changed to a back four. Versatile new signing Anson Wong Ho-chun was an unused substitute after signing from Qingdao Hainiu; after starting his youth career at Kitchee he eventually made his first team debut for South China, before moving on to Lee Man, Eastern and then Qingdao. Over Christmas Kim Shin-wook's contract was officially terminated, and so with two foreign players unavailable there was a place on the bench for Enikar.

Bear; Haddow, Riera, Jason, Beattie (Jordan 82); Lok (c), Illarra; Leandro, Kendy (Lung 90), Kanda (Juninho 60); Adrian.

Unused subs: Wang, Anson, Enikar, A Chan, Li Siu-hin, Ari

Match events

Kitchee scored after five minutes. Callum Beattie, making his return to HKFC, played a long ball over the top, and Adrian was able to capitalise on Aleks committing to the ball to stroke the ball into an empty net. Kitchee had chances to increase their lead, with Adrian, Leandro and Kanda all going close. As the first half drew to a close both teams scored; Kanda extended Kitchee's lead after being set up by Leandro, before Dietrich pulled one back for HKFC from a corner in stoppage time. The second half was pretty dull, with both teams looking like teams who had not played in a month. There were no real chances of note, and Anson Wong remained an unused substitute. Another game, another win and the season rolls on. It may not always be pretty, but the current performances are delivering results.

Fans feedback

Lethargic performance, indicative of a team without a game for a month and not much training with a full squad. HKFC did not offer much, but Kitchee were a bit slow in transitions. The switch to a back four worked although against such poor opposition that is not that impressive. The change in formation did result in Kitchee playing Leandro on the right wing, and he took too long on the ball at times. Yumemi Kanda rightfully won man of the match but is yet to complete a full 90 minutes for Kitchee, and has come off between the 60th and 70th minutes in each of his last five games. Jason Kam did well bringing the ball out of defence on multiple occasions, but unfortunately there was no one there to take advantage. Kitchee struggled to get any crosses into the box, a consequence of playing two nominally central players out wide and having two more defensive fullbacks. Going back to the end of last season Kitchee are unbeaten in eleven league games, although we will have to do something spectacular to overhaul the thirty-one unbeaten league games between early 2017 and late 2018. If Kitchee avoid defeat next week, they will go a full calendar year unbeaten away from home, with Kitchee's next 'away' game not until the split into a top and bottom group. However, these unbeaten away games does include Eastern (twice) and Lee Man (once) where arguably Kitchee's fanbase was much more prominent.

Other news

Hong Kong's first games under Roberto Losada ended in a penalty shootout defeat after a 3-3 draw onaggregate against Guangdong. Tan Chun-lok and Bear started both games, with Lok captaining and lasting 90 minutes in both, and Bear only being subbed off for the penalty shootout. Juninho and Haddow played over half an hour off the bench in the first game, with Jason Kam and Jordan Lam unused subs. The second game saw Juninho, Haddow and Jordan Lam all start before being withdrawn in the second half, and late callup Cheng Chin-lung remaining unused on the bench.

What's next

We travel to Tsing Yi for our final away game of the regular season as we take on Rangers (17th January, 6pm) before seven games at our temporary home ground in Tseung Kwan O follow. Hope to see you there. The transfer window is open and Kitchee have already seen Tuscany move to Spain and Anson Wong come in, and we'll keep you updated with any news as it happens.

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Match highlights

Oh what fun it is to see Kitchee win away! North District 1 Kitchee 2

Credits to Scoop

Kitchee maintained an unbeaten league start to the league season with a hard-fought win over North District. Our Sheung Shui opponents have been a bogey team in recent years, but second half goals from the Spanish duo of Leandro (his first from open play for the club) and Adrian, both set up by substitute Jay Haddow saw Kitchee go 2-0 up midway through the half. North District's prolific striker Samuel Granada pulled one back, but Kitchee held on, showing a resilience less commonly seen in previous Kitchee trips up north.

Team news

Ari, Juninho, Martinez came into the starting eleven, with Jordan and Lung dropping to the bench. Kendy was injured and replaced in the matchday squad by the returning Mingazov. Wang Zhenpeng and Matthew Slattery also returned to the bench. Tan Chun-lok made his 50th appearance for Kitchee.

Bear; Riera, Jason, Dantas; Ari (Haddow 46), Illarra, Lok, Juninho (Jordan 71); Kanda (Mingazov 61), Adrian, Leandro

Unused subs: Wang, Lung, Beattie, Slattery, Li

Match highlights

Credits to Scoop

Kitchee had a bright start, where Leandro had a soft penalty appeal denied. Home captain Danilo Santos headed over from a corner, before Leandro and Ari went close to giving Kitchee the lead. A Kitchee freekick was flicked on by Riera onto the post, and after some pinball Adrian blasted over. A moment of possible controversy ensued in the closing stages of the half; a risky ball from Riera was intercepted, and from the resulting counterattack Jason missed a tackle, and in recovery Lok dived in, receiving a yellow card when the opposing fans wanted a red- obvious bias aside, the yellow was the right call given Lok got the ball first. Weverton blasted over and the first half ended goalless.

Credits to Scoop

Haddow came on for Ari at half time, and he crossed for Kanda who went close early. A few minutes later Haddow set up Leandro who cut inside for his first open play goal this season. Vinicius went close, and earlier in the game had proven himself to be a bit of a pantomime villain for his theatrics. More good work from Haddow on the right set up Adrian, who needed two bites at the cherry to double Kitchee's lead. North District pushed on, and with just over ten minutes left Mingazov's shanked pass screwed up the defence, and Vinicius crossed for the clinical Granada to pull one back, giving Kitchee fans bad memories of the previous trips to this ground when they collapsed late on. But this time Kitchee held on which sent them six points clear.

Fan feedback

Credits to Scoop

Another game and another win, and Kitchee go into the Christmas break six points clear of second placed Lee Man. Kitchee worked hard in the first half and probably should have been a goal ahead. Jay Haddow's introduction at half time changed the game, with the youngster getting both assists with good work down the right hand side. Juninho continued in an unfamiliar left wing back role and worked hard, with teenager Ari Lam on the other side. Adrian scored again, and is proving himself to be a goal threat when he spends more time in the box. Ilarra and Tan Chun-lok in midfield were imperious, and the defensive trio complements each other well. The only minor blips were the careless pass from Riera and missed tackle from Jason which forced Lok into a desperate lunge, and Mingazov's ambitious cross-field pass to Dantas which led to North District's consolation goal.

What's next

Credits to SportsRoad

A Hong Kong team will take on Guangdong in the 44th Hong Kong-Guangdong Cup. The first leg is the 28th December in Hong Kong, with the second leg on the 3rd January in Guangdong- tickets for the home leg are available on ticketflap from 3pm on the 15th December. First game for interim boss Roberto 'Chino' Losada, who spent ten years at Kitchee as player and assistant coach before moving to rivals Eastern. Seven Kitchee players were named in the preliminary squad- Hong Kong squad regulars Tan Chun-lok and Junior being joined by Jay Haddow, Jason Kam, Jordan Lam, Cheng Chin-lung and Pong Cheuk-hei. It remains to be seen whether the final squad is full strength, or whether it is more of a development side given that reports suggest Guangdong will send an U20 side. For Kitchee we return with away games against HKFC (11/1) and Rangers (17/1) and then six successive home games, where it is still yet to be determined officially whether that will be Mong Kok Stadium, Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground or Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground. Tuscany Shek has departed on loan, moving to Huesca U19 in Spain, where fellow Kitchee loanee Yu Ching-wai is based. This is a path well-trodden by Kitchee youngsters in recent years, with Jason Yuen and 2025 Chinese Player of the Year nominee Shinichi Chan (now at Shanghai Shenhua) amongst those to have moved. Tuscany made his debut aged fifteen in the Sapling Cup, and went on to make twelve appearances in that competition, as well as a league debut in early 2024. Despite not turning eighteen until Christmas Day he was a part of over fifty matchday squads, and we hope he can use his experience in Spain to develop longer term for Kitchee and for the Hong Kong team.

Credits to SportsRoad

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Sportsroad

Match highlights

Two important wins for Kitchee, but football an insignificance considering recent events in Hong Kong

Written by Adam O'Domhnaill

Credits to SportsRoad

After the emotion of Hong Kong's elimination from Asian Cup qualifying a few weeks ago, Hong Kong football fans were disheartened. But the tragic events of last week's fire in Hong Kong reminded people that football is just a game, and puts life into perspective. Over a hundred and fifty people lost their lives, and thousands have lost their homes, and in the wake of a tragedy of this scale results on the pitch matter little. At Angry Boundary Street we offer our condolences to all of those affected and ask that our followers continue to support where they can the initiatives helping people rebuild their lives. We'll continue to share these on our social media channels, and please make us aware of any more that we can share or get involved with. Kitchee's game against Eastern District saw proceeds from the match go to the Salvation Army's fundraiser, and the shirts of players were auctioned off for large sums of money. Amazing to see the Hong Kong football community come together, with Tuesday night raising over HK$700,000. Offside.hk and HK Kickers  both went into more depth as to what different clubs and individuals have done for those affected.

Hong Kong played twice in the November international break, with three Kitchee players featuring. Veteran goalkeeper Wang Zhenpeng played 180 minutes for Hong Kong, making his return after over three years, and becoming Hong Kong's oldest ever player- a shock inclusion in the squad to begin with, and even more so when he started both games. Tan Chun-lok and Juninho were both rested for the friendly, and then played the full 90 in the defeat to Singapore which saw Hong Kong eliminated and Ashley Westwood depart. A number of Kitchee's younger players went away on training camps with Hong Kong youth sides.

Southern 2 Kitchee 4

Credits to SportsRoad

Illarramendi got a first Kitchee start, and came into the side alongside Dantas, Lung and Mingazow. Law, Jason and Adrian dropped to the bench, with Kanda left out of the side. Kitchee were depleted owing to a couple of injuries, and some of Kitchee's schoolboys not being able to play at the ridiculous kick off time of 3pm on a non public holiday Wednesday. This left Kitchee with only six players on the bench, with Pong Cheuk-hei still recovering from his summer shoulder surgery.

Wang; Lung (Law 67), Riera, Dantas, Beattie (Jason 67); Martinez (Adrian 60), Illarramendi, Lok (c); Mingazow (Chan 71), Juninho (Jordan 60), Kendy

Unused sub: Tuscany

Match events

Credits to SportsRoad

Kitchee had a couple of early corners that they couldn't capitalise on, with Illarra going close. Southern earned a penalty for handball against Dantas, converted by Stefan after 14 mins. As the half hour approached, nice hold up play from Leandro teed up Kendy for his third goal of the season. Kitchee scored a second soon after; Juninho kept the ball alive and recycling for Kendy to finish. Mingazow cut in from the right to score a third, before being fouled in the box minutes later. Leandro stepped up and it was 4-1 at half time. Southern pulled one back on the hour and had further chances, but Kitchee held firm in a drab second half. Kitchee's best chance to extend the lead came when youngster Chan Shing-chun blazed over.

Credits to Scoop

Kitchee 1 Eastern District 0

Kitchee made five changes as they played midweek, in an emotional evening for all involved given the previous week's events. Pong Cheuk-hei (Bear) came in in goal for a Kitchee debut after a lengthy recovery, and Jason, Jordan, Kanda and Adrian also came in. Mingazow dropped out completely through injury, with Wang also out of the squad. Beattie, Martinez and Juninho dropped to the bench. Jay Haddow recovered from injury to come onto the bench, as did four of Kitchee's young players given the more conventional kick off time.

Bear; Riera, Jason, Dantas; Lung (Juninho 46), Illarramendi, Lok (c), Jordan (Beattie 77); Kanda (Martinez 67), Adrian, Kendy

Unused subs: Law, Haddow, Tuscany, Li, Ari, Cheung

Match events

Credits to Scoop

Jordan was denied by a great save from Li Yat-chun, deputising for the suspended Paulo. Illarra made a great block to keep the score level. Kitchee's centre backs started bringing the ball out of defence but nothing was breaking down a resilient Eastern District, marshalled by Kitchee legend Helio. With the last kick of the half, Kanda scored a sublime free kick from just outside the box. As the second half began Kanda and Juninho both went close, before Illarra cemented his man of the match award with an acrobatic clearance off the line. Kitchee did have chances; Leandro coming closest when he blazed over the bar from inside the box. A gritty 1-0 win in emotional circumstances.

Fans feedback

Two games, two wins, and Kitchee this season have only lost once in ten games. They have five clean sheets already this season (only one fewer than last year with over the half the season still to come) and are showing the ability to win ugly. But there was a lack of fluency against Eastern District, and a more prolific opponent may have scored. Kitchee's attack looks very good when firing on all cylinders but sometimes flatters to deceive. Adrian's movement helps build attacks, but when he drops wide and/or deep we struggle to get other bodies into the box, and our attacks can peter out. Bear had a solid debut in goal, and his distribution is very good, and hopefully he helps us hit new heights. Jason Kam has come on so much in defence, either when starting or a substitute, and Jordan Lam has improved from last year, as he is used in a more favourable position. Asier Illarramendi was given man of the match on Tuesday and while he is probably not at 100% yet, he looks a class above everyone else. Kanda bounced back from being left out against Southern to score a sublime freekick, and the tactical fluidity shown by Calderon, mixing up formations and using players in different positions. This is a marked change from the rigidity shown by previous coaches, and hopefully Kitchee can continue this momentum.

What's next

North District away on 13th December, 3pm kick off in Sheung Shui. A big test against a team that have done well this season. They knocked us out of the Senior Shield in September and drew with us at Mong Kok in October. This marks our last fixture of 2025.

Angry Boundary Street had been raising money for men's health charities both in Hong Kong and around the world throughout the month of November. The team moved over 2000km and raised over HK$14000. Last week we decided to direct people to donate to the various organisations supporting those affected by last week's Tai Po fire and will continue to do so on our social media platforms. You can check out our pages here, but please direct your donations to more pressing issues in Hong Kong. We are extremely grateful for anyone who has supported our campaigning, but there are people in greater need of help.

Movember Hong Kong Cancer Fund

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From Kitchee academy to the Hong Kong team

In September 2025, the Kitchee Centre in Shek Mun celebrated its tenth anniversary, providing a dedicated space for Kitchee's senior team and academy to train. In November 2025, Kitchee's academy was awarded the 'Youth Academy of the Year (Boys) at the AFC awards in Malaysia. Kitchee Academy has previously earned 2 star certification from the AFC Elite Youth Scheme, and from its initial formation as the Hong Kong Barcelona Football School in 2008, to the change to Kitchee Football Academy in 2011, it has provided free training to players between the ages of 6-22, giving them opportunities to compete locally and overseas. A number of players currently in Hong Kong's squad for the crucial Asian Cup qualifier with Singapore spent some of their development years at Kitchee, and here we look at how their careers progressed, while also looking at those around the squad in recent months. We are aware that in recent years the path from the academy to Kitchee's first team has stagnated in recent years, and that a number of these players would have not reached the heights they have had they stayed with Kitchee.

Current squad

Ngan Cheuk-pan, 27 years old, 21 caps, Tai Po

Joined Kitchee in 2008, and left permanently in 2025. Left Kitchee temporarily for NCAA commitments and loans during his seventeen years, but made over 50 senior appearances before joining Tai Po this summer. Won three league titles, including the treble winning campaigns of 2016/17 and 2022/23. A key part of Westwood's setup, having made his debut under Andersen without being a regular squad player.

Sun Ming-him, 25 years old, 41 caps, 2 goals, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger

The versatile player spent his early career at Kitchee, before leaving as a teenager. Spent many years in the Hong Kong Premier League before moving to the Chinese Super League in early 2024, first with Cangzhou and now with Tianjin. Debuted for Hong Kong aged eighteen and has been in and around the squad ever since, and will probably reach 50 caps in the next year or so. 

Barak Braunshtain, 26 years old, uncapped, Lee Man

Born in Hong Kong to Israeli parents, he joined Kitchee as a child and made his debut for the club aged eighteen. Scored in the victorious 2020 Sapling Cup final. He left Kitchee in 2021 to pursue a career in Israel, before returning to Hong Kong in 2024, with spells at Eastern, Rangers and now Lee Man. His early years being spent in Hong Kong made him eligible for a Hong Kong passport, which he finally received in November 2025 after a long process, and was instantly added to the squad.

Jesse Yu Joy-hin, 24 years old, 19 caps, 2 goals, Shijiazhuang Gongfu

Like a number of young Hong Kong footballers, Jesse played for multiple youth teams, with Kitchee being one of them for a short time. He later played professionally in Hong Kong for Happy Valley, Rangers and Eastern, before moving to Shijiazhuang in China League One at the start of this year. He made his international debut aged twenty, and while he hasn't been a regular starter he has always been around the squad.

Matt Orr, 28 years old, 45 caps, 12 goals, Shenzhen Peng City

He joined Kitchee aged eleven, before moving to the USA to the famous IMG Academy and eventually at NCAA level, while training with Kitchee in his breaks. He eventually made his Kitchee debut in early 2020, spending two and a half years at the club and appearing over fifty times. He then moved to Guangxi Pingguo Haliao in China League One, where his goalscoring exploits earned him a move to Shenzhen in the Chinese Super League, although his minutes have been limited. After three goals in his first six Hong Kong games, he had a two year international goal drought. But under the management of Westwood (and Luisser's interim spell before) he has scored nine goals in his last nineteen games. Often deputised as captain, and approaching 50 caps.

Michael Udebuluzor, 21 years old, 20 caps, 2 goals, Tallinna Kalev
Michael was at Kitchee as a youngster, having been born in Hong Kong to Nigerian striker Cornelius Udebuluzor during his own playing career. Michael left Kitchee aged fourteen to move to Germany, where he developed and played in the lower leagues of German football. In 2025 he had agreed a move to Suzhou Dongwu of China League One, but his controversial comments following the EAFF tie between Hong Kong and China saw this contract cancelled, and instead he moved to Tallinna Kalev in the Estonian first tier. He made his international debut in September 2023, and has been fairly regular in squads under both Andersen and Westwood, even if he has not scored since his second appearance.

Called up to a senior Hong Kong squad in 2025

Sohgo Ichikawa, 21 years old, 2 caps, Southern

He progressed from the Kitchee academy to the first team, making twenty-eight appearances after debuting aged sixteen. On the fringes for most of his time at the club, he spent two seasons on loan at Southern before joining them permanently this summer. Got a HK debut aged seventeen, before earning his second cap nearly three years later. On the fringes of the squad, but given the age of other attacking midfielders it seems likely he will earn more caps in the future when these players move on.

Clement Benhaddouche, 29 years old, 2 caps, Shenzhen Juniors

At Kitchee at the same time as schoolfriend Matt Orr, he also moved to the USA and IMG Academy, before playing NCAA at the University of Massachusetts. Rejoining Kitchee in early 2019, he made forty-four appearances, and won the treble before he left for China. After eighteen months where he was dogged by a couple of major injuries, he returned to HK with Eastern in early 2025, before moving back to China League One in the summer. Had to wait until the age of twenty nine for a debut this summer, and given his age and other options opportunities will likely be limited moving forward.

Anson Wong Ho-chun, 23 years old, 2 caps, Qingdao Hainiu

The versatile attacker began his career in Kitchee's youth academy, before moving to South China, where he broke through for a senior debut in the second tier aged sixteen. He later moved on to Lee Man and then Eastern, before moving to Qingdao in the Chinese Super League at the start of 2025. Despite playing in the Chinese top tier (albeit not starting regularly) this has not translated into regular Hong Kong minutes, with both of his caps being earned well before his move.

Here we have nine players recently in squads, and there is a whole host of Hong Kong internationals around the Hong Kong Premier League where Kitchee played some part in their youth development. Also, Shinichi Chan was at Kitchee as a teenager, but he joined the first team aged sixteen. In a different way, Yue Tze-nam is pictured in the Barcelona Football School days, but from our research Kitchee is not listed on his transfermarkt or Wikipedia profiles, and he was at Eastern from the age of ten. Therefore, we do not list them as Kitchee played a very minor part in their development. 

We expect to see more former academy players on the biggest stage in the years to come, with numerous youth internationals currently or formerly in the Kitchee academy setup. Who will be the next to break through and become a key part of the Hong Kong national team? 

Entertaining draw with North District, big win away at Kowloon City and Movember campaigning starts

By Adam O'Domhnaill

This week has seen Kitchee play their first official home game against North District, ending in a thrilling 3-3 draw. We also travelled to Kowloon City and won convincingly. In between, Angry Boundary Street's campaigning for men's health, working with Movember and the Hong Kong Cancer Fund got underway. Find out more later on in the article.

Kitchee 3 North District 3

Lineup

There was still no Illarramendi, with his return waiting again. Kitchee made two changes from last week's draw at Tai Po, with Mingazow and Juninho's energy off the bench earning them starts for Kitchee's first home game of the season. Kendy and Jordan dropped to the bench. Impressive youngster Ari Lam started for the third game in a row. Kitchee sought revenge on North District who knocked them out of the Senior Shield in September.

Wang; Ari Lam (Law 61), Riera, Dantas, Beattie; Lok (c), Martinez (Chan 85); Kanda (Kendy 69), Juninho (Jordan 61), Mingazow, Adrian

Unused subs: Haddow, Lung, Tuscany, Slattery, Jason Kam, Li Siu-hin

Match events

Martinez went close for Kitchee, with Granada going close for North District. It was all Kitchee to start, with Juninho and Martinez going close. Juninho's cross caused problems but couldn't be poked in, and he had a goal ruled out for a questionable offside decision. As the halfway point of the half approached Wong Chun-ho inadvertently diverted the ball past his own keeper, before Granada equalised soon after, also from a freekick. Mingazow's cross was headed goalwards by Juninho, but the keeper proved equal to it. As the second half started North District pushed on, with Villalobos giving them the lead with a long range effort. Substitute Jordan Lam, formerly of North District, opened his Kitchee account moments later, heading in Mingazow's cross. Some good linkup play on the right saw Mingazow give Kitchee the lead with just over ten minutes left, and Martinez almost scored a fourth. But two minutes from time North District pegged Kitchee back, as North District's fancy freekick routine caught Kitchee off guard, allowing Jahangir Khan to score from outside of the box and level the scores. Two draws in a row for Kitchee, but they are second with a game in hand on first placed North District.

Kowloon City 0 Kitchee 5

Team news

Kitchee made three changes, with Dantas suspended with two of his yellow cards last season carrying over to join his three this campaign. Jason Kam Chi-kin stepped in at centre back, with Kendy replacing the injured Mingazow in midfield, and Law came in at right back. Illarramendi and Kim Shin-wook both came off the bench; Illarramendi for his debut and Wookie for his first league game in nearly 800 days (when he scored a hat trick against HKFC in August 2023).

Wang; Law, Riera, Jason, Beattie; Martinez, Lok (c) (Illarramendi 74); Kanda (Li 64), Kendy (Lung 64), Juninho (Haddow 64), Adrian (Kim 64)

Unused subs: Tuscany, Slattery, A Chan, Ari, Cheung

Match events

Kanda pressed hard and won the ball, but he fired wide, before Juninho's corner hit Martinez and was easily dealt with. Just past halfway through the half, Riera found Adrian with a long pass, and he played in Martinez down the right. Martinez then slowed down play, and cut it back for Adrian to head home for his fifth goal of the season. Adrian and Martinez linked up again, setting up to Juninho to double the lead just before half time. In the eleven minutes after half time, Kitchee ran riot, with Adrian and Martinez heavily involved; Adrian floated the ball in, Martinez had a shot saved, and then Kanda finished off the rebound. Soon afterwards Kanda crossed from the right, Adrian and Martinez challenged for it, and Juninho tapped in at the back post. Four minutes later Juninho scored again, as Martinez and Kanda played him in for his hat trick, the first by a Kitchee player since September 2024 when Sherzod Temirov scored one off the bench against Kowloon City. The comfortable lead allowed Calderon to empty the bench, with Kitchee's front four being brought off with twenty five minutes to go, and Tan Chun-lok getting a well-earned rest later on. We saw the veterans Kim Shin-wook (first HKPL game for over two years) and Asier Illarramendi (Kitchee debut) both come on, along with cameos for players who haven't featured as much in recent weeks.

Fans feedback

The team is very good going forward, but did ship three goals to North District for the second time this season. That being said, they are a very good side who have impressed a lot of observers this season. We're seeing Calderon being prepared to mix things up and make changes between games as well as during, with different players being used in different roles rather than the rigidity we saw from previous coaches who tended to start the same eleven most weeks. We're seeing Adrian drop deep which does sometimes leave us light on options in the box, although at Kowloon City we saw Juninho, Martinez and Kanda push up more and give us options. The comfortable nature of Sunday's win meant Adrian, Kendy, Kanda and Juninho could all get twenty-five minutes rest.

What's next for Kitchee?

We take on Southern District on Saturday in Aberdeen, 3pm kick off. This is soon followed by two home games for Hong Kong in the November. There is a friendly vs Cambodia on the 13th (Hong Kong Stadium) and the winner takes all Asian Cup Qualifier vs Singapore on the 18th at Kai Tak. Four Kitchee players were named in Hong Kong's 34 man preliminary squad. Regulars Tan Chun-lok and Juninho were selected as expected, with Callum Beattie getting his first international callup, after completing the naturalisation process in August. But the biggest surprise was Wang Zhenpeng getting a recall, having not played for Hong Kong since June 2022, and if he plays any part in either game he would become Hong Kong's oldest ever player.

Some of our fans are fundraising for men's health throughout this month, moving as much distance as possible for men's health, alongside Movember and the Hong Kong Cancer Fund. More details are on our social media pages. So far we have collectively moved 150km and raised £47/HK$480.

Movember 

Hong Kong Cancer Fund 

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Match highlights

Perfect league record ends as 10-man Tai Po hang on- Tai Po 1 Kitchee 1

Summary

Kitchee's unbeaten league start continued as they came away from Tai Po with a draw. A very dull first half was followed by a much more exciting second, as both teams scored just after the hour mark. The final twenty minutes of normal time plus the additional sixteen minutes stoppage time saw a red card, a disallowed goal, and a ridiculous amount of unpunished timewasting by the defending champions. Kitchee will probably feel the win was there, but given the tough fixtures to start the season, emerging with ten points from twelve can be seen as a success.

Team news

Calderon made four changes to the starting line-up from last week's League Cup victory. He kept the 3-4-3 formation, but brought in Wang in goal, Dantas and Beattie into central defence and captain Tan Chun-lok into midfield. Enikar, Law, Jason and Lung dropped to the bench. There was no long-awaited debut for Illarramendi, and after his goalscoring cameo last week Kim Shin-wook was also in the stands. Seventeen year old Ari Lam continued at right wing back for his league debut.

Wang, Riera, Dantas, Beattie (Juninho 65); Ari Lam (Law 65), Martinez (Mingazow 46), Lok (c), Jordan, Kanda (Lung 87), Kendy (Li Siu-hin 87), Adrian

Unused subs: Tuscany, Haddow, Slattery, Jason, Chan Shing-chun

Match events

Early on Adrian almost latched onto a ball into the box, and he went close again, blasting over. Tai Po went close when Law Chun-ting hit the bar from range. Martinez had a shot blocked, which looked like handball, VAR denying Kitchee's appeals as Adrian was marginally offside in the buildup. Former Kitchee man Ngan Cheuk-pan went close with a free kick, but a largely uneventful first half ended 0-0.

Mingazow came on for the cautioned Martinez at half time, with Tai Po making two changes, including Kitchee legend Fernando. Paulinho went close for Tai Po, before Adrian was denied by a great save. Just after the hour Kitchee failed to deal with a high cross in, and despite Wang making a good save to deny Fernando, substitute Renner headed in the rebound. Calderon instantly brought Law and Juninho on, and within minutes Kanda's cross from the right was buried home by Adrian for his 4th goal in 4 games. Tan Chun-lok was later cut in half by a poor tackle. After initially giving a yellow, following the VAR advice the referee upgraded it to a red. Not long afterwards Juninho wonderfully controlled and scored from Kanda's pass, but the linesman's flag and VAR came to Tai Po's rescue, ruling it out.

The final stages became a bit farcical, with Tse Ka-wing going down repeatedly, and Lee Lok-him taking an age over every single throw in down the Tai Po right. Fans were stunned that the officiating team gave sixteen added minutes, although the timewasting continued. Dantas went close with a late free kick, but on balance a draw is a good result for Kitchee.

Fan feedback

Kitchee could and probably should've won especially with Tai Po resting so many key players before the ACL 2 clash with Beijing Guoan. At the start of the game most fans would have taken the point to extend the unbeaten league run. In the second half Tai Po sat very deep and wasted a lot of time, somehow not being punished for any other offences. On multiple occasions Tai Po's players surrounded the referee, but somehow the only card given for dissent all game was to Kendy after Tai Po had their man sent off. Kitchee should have dealt with tai po's goal better, and need to get bodies into the box- Adrian is doing well, but if he drifts wide to pickup the ball we need to get men in the box, as well as working out how to break down low blocks. Youngster Ari Lam had a solid game at wing back, and fellow teenager Li Siu-hin provided energy but is still quite raw. 

What's next

North District at home on 26th October at 6pm. The first official home game of the season. Let's hope that Kitchee can maintain the unbeaten start to the league campaign.

Throughout November, Kitchee will be supporting men's health initiatives alongside Movember and the Hong Kong Cancer Fund, by moving as much as possible, including walking to Kitchee games during the months. Keep an eye on our socials for details of our fundraising campaigns. If anyone would like to join our efforts, please get in touch with us on Instagram.

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Match highlights