Another ACL home game, another 2-1 defeat- Kitchee 1 Jeonbuk Motors 2 Review

Article by Adam O'Domhnaill

Team news

Credit to Lok

Kitchee made four changes to the starting lineup from Friday night's disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Southern. Two were enforced (Paulo's injury and Temirov being ineligible for the ACL) and two tactical (Law and Helio coming in at the back). Juninho and Wookie were still missing through injury, and Poon was serving the first of his three game ACL ban.

Wang; Law (Lung 66), Helio (c) (Gerbig 81), Russell, Shinichi (Fernando 66), Igor, Scott, Cleiton, Mingazow; Mikael; Jantscher

Highlights

Credits to Scoop

Jeonbuk took the lead after barely ninety seconds, as Kitchee failed to deal with a cross and Moon Seon-min was able tap in from six yards. The pressure from Jeonbuk kept mounting, and Mikael had to clear a header off the line, before a bad touch from Russell allowed Song Min-Kyu to capitalise and double the lead. Moments before half time Wang hit a long ball towards Mingazow, but our Turkmen winger was hauled down by Jeong, and referee produced a red card. Game on!

Credit to Scoop

After sustained pressure against the ten men, Cleiton's long shot was parried by the keeper, and Igor's follow up effort was also denied, as the Brazilian lost his composure with the goal at his mercy. Kitchee pulled one back, as Cleiton's cross was chested by Mikael into the path of Jakob Jantscher, and the Austrian beat the goalkeeper to the ball for his fourth goal of the competition. More chances came and went without an equaliser. In the dying embers of the game there was one last chance for Kitchee, as Fernando's cross was headed out to Charlie Scott, whose low effort from range was a whisker away.

Credit to Lok

Fans feedback

Three ACL home games, three 2-1 defeats, three games where Kitchee created chances but couldn't finish them. One more ACL game left to play for pride, and a big second half of the domestic season to follow. A sluggish first half cost Kitchee again, made worse by the nature of the goals conceded. Jeonbuk hit the post twice and had a shot cleared off the line, so Kitchee were perhaps fortunate to only concede two. 

Credits to Lok

Kitchee are limited with defensive options, with four defenders over thirty five. The lower standard of the HKPL hides the frailty against pace and pressing, but in the ACL it is exploited regularly. Against Bangkok, Kitchee played long balls when under pressure, whereas here Kitchee attempted to play out. If this was the tactical decision made by the coaches, Cleiton and Mikael should have been encouraged to drop back and receive the ball more, given their mobility and technical ability. Kitchee also should have used Wang's distribution more to relieve pressure on the defence.

Credit to Erikson

Kitchee created good chances and have a decent amount of the ball, but could not score, except for Jakob Jantscher. The Austrian forward has four goals in five ACL games, and is second only to Dejan in Kitchee's ACL top scorers list. But he cannot do it alone. Juninho and Wookie have looked good in limited appearances but are far too injury prone. Having one or both fit for this game would have given the team a focal point to aim for and cause a nuisance for defenders.

Credits to Lok

Injuries and suspensions do play a part in football, but Kitchee's bench had very few options for Kim Dong-Jin to try and change the game, only swapping the full backs and then bringing on Gerbig at centre back. Kitchee's attack worked hard and came close a few times, but Jeonbuk were able to ride it out and Kitchee's players tired as the second half went on. Having an attacker to bring more energy into the game would have given us a much better chance of getting through.

Credits to Tony

Mikael will now miss the dead rubber against Lion City Sailors after his third yellow card of the competition. The Brazilian is Kitchee's top scorer in all competitions this season, but is also one booking away from a domestic ban. Fellow Brazilian midfielder Cleiton missed the Southern game through suspension. While not being the only culprits, the two often surround referees, and the steady accumulation of bookings for dissent will eventually lead to further suspensions.

An average attendance of under two and a half thousand for the group stage is disappointing, although the early kick off time this week did not help. The 2018 campaign saw average attendances of over nine thousand, although this was likely swelled by the presence of Diego Forlan for Kitchee. Rangers (Mong Kok) and Lee Man (Hong Kong Stadium) both had over four thousand fans for their preliminary round games. Playing Kitchee's ACL games at Mong Kok could have meant cheaper tickets, better attendances and hopefully better results.

What's next

Credits to Scoop

A trip away to North District on Sunday, 3pm kick off at North District Sports Ground, Sheung Shui. Due to fixture quirks and pitch readiness, this will be the first home game for the newly promoted side. While their fixtures have been limited, they are unbeaten in the league and held Lee Man to a draw in the Sapling Cup. Kitchee should have enough to bounce back from Wednesday night's disappointing result. We anticipate Paulo, Juninho and Wookie still being injured, but we will have Poon and Temirov back available after neither could feature in midweek.

Thank you to those who sent photos to us. 

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