Summary
Kendy broke an eight month goal drought to secure a crucial victory for Kitchee, a first at home in Asian competitions since 2019. Mingazow had given Kitchee the lead in the first minute, but Kitchee could not add a second despite dominating a physical and passionate first half. Pich Koeut was sent off for violent conduct just before half time, but it was Phnom Penh who looked like they had the man advantage, as Kitchee dropped deeper and deeper. Guytho Mijland equalised in the eighty-sixth minute, and Kitchee thought they could have blown a fourth winnable continental game in a row. But Adrian's perfect cross was headed in by Kendy to spark jubilant scenes, and Kitchee held on for the remainder of stoppage time to remain second in the group.Team news
Kitchee made three changes from the reverse fixture last week, starting this game with the same eleven that finished last week. Kanda, Jordan, Juninho all started, with Haddow, Lok and Obieta dropping to the bench. Kendy made his first appearance in three weeks, while after lengthy absences Marcos and Dudu returned to the bench, as did Asier Illarramendi. Aaron Rey made the first appearance of his second spell as an early substitute.Bear; Riera, Jason (Obieta 72), Beattie, Jordan (Kendy 73); Kanda (Haddow 56), Camarasa, Juninho (Lok 56), Everton, Adrian, Mingazow (c) (Rey 25)
Unused subs: Marcos, Illarramendi, Lung, Enikar, Dudu, Shingchun, Siuhin
Match events
Kitchee got off to a dream start with a goal after barely a minute. On the right hand side Everton played a 1-2 with Kanda, before going past multiple defenders on the byline, teeing up Mingazow for a goalline tap in. Junior's low placed effort was kept out by Vichet soon after, before Mijland was kept out by Bear when he shot from outside the box. The game then got a bit feisty; Mijland and Ratana Eam were taken out by Everton with no attempt made to win the ball (but no cards) and Everton responded by taking out Timmins. Everton had a low shot saved, before goalscorer Mingazow was forced off with a back injury. This saw a Kitchee return for Aaron Rey, and a tactical switch with Juninho moving out to the left wing. Kanda could not capitalise on a mistake by Vichet, who then held on well to Jordan Lam's header. Bear then denied Pich Koeut, before Adrian was denied. Riku Matsuda was out of control and nowhere near the ball when he kicked out at Juninho, but was only given a yellow, triggering confrontation with Kitchee fans. The final ten minutes of the half was far from fluid; Riera and Timmins were both booked for fouls, before Pich Koeut struck Kanda and was sent off for violent conduct. The energetic Jordan Lam headed a dangerous Phnom Penh cross out for a corner in stoppage time to end the half.Kanda went close with a curling effort, before Calderon made more changes just before the hour. Jay Haddow came on at right back, leading to a defensive reshuffle, while captain Tan Chun-lok came into central midfield. Phnom Penh Crown responded by bringing on last week's goalscorer Ty Sa, and soon after Valeriy Hryshyn fired over, before Jordan Lam had another chance for Kitchee. Calderon switched to a 442 for the final twenty minutes, with Lok playing at centre back and Kendy on the left hand side. Phnom Penh Crown captain Rick Ketting went close with a header, before Kendy was denied the chance to go through one on one through a questionable offside decision. Moments later Mijland equalised after a short corner, curling in a great effort, although there were multiple offside players distracting Bear. Kendy missed a great chance for a winner after great linkup from Kitchee, but he redeemed himself in stoppage time. Adrian swung a cross in for Obieta which looked overhit, but Kendy emerged at the back post to head in for a memorable victory.Fan feedback
Kitchee made hard work of putting Phnom Penh Crown to the sword, but after the heartbreak of a late equaliser they kept focused and were rewarded. Arguably Kitchee could have been comfortably clear, especially when playing against 10 men, and sat back too much with a lead. With Asier Illarramendi still recovering from injury, it showed a different side to Kitchee, with players not being afraid to get stuck in and match Phnom Penh Crown for physicality. Everton posed a lot of questions in the first half, while Adrian, Jordan and Camarasa worked very hard, with the latter two absolutely knackered by the end. Kitchee winning keeps qualification in their own hands. The final two games will be tough but winning both guarantees qualification, or if Kitchee can get anything in Gangwon they will fancy their chances of getting all three points against Kuching.What's next
Kitchee take on Kowloon City in the League Cup at Siu Sai Wan on the 14th November, where we will have a pretty full squad as HKFA are too incompetent to arrange friendlies. Tuscany Shek, Li Siuhin and Nic Cheung Yiu-hin will be away with HKU23, with Ari Lam still out injured. Kitchee return to league action away to Tai Po on the 21st November.Please follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest Kitchee news. We are at over 650 followers on Instagram and are at over 400 on Facebook. Facebook Instagram.
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Photos by Kitchee
Written by Adam O'Domhnaill








































