Two new signings, Sapling Cup action and Hong Kong's return to the Asian Cup- Kitchee news this week

Written by Adam O'Domhnaill

This week, Kitchee announced two new signings. The first was young centre back Sedin Ramic, from Bosnia-Herzegovina, who joined from Bosnian second division side Radnik Hadzici. He adds some much needed youth to the Kitchee backline, allowing our older players to rotate. Kitchee have largely opted for an all local player defence, save for Damcevski's brief spell and Scott and Kurban filling in for the Sapling Cup, which will change with Ramic's arrival.

The second signing is one that is more familiar to Kitchee fans. Hong Kong born Englishman Seb Buddle returned, having been out of contract in the summer. Buddle came through Kitchee's academy, also having loan spells with Hoi King, HKU23s and Southern. In his first spell at Kitchee, Buddle was part of three league winning squads, albeit with limited minutes. He also won two Sapling Cups with us, as well as winning it again with Southern last season. He gives Kitchee another option down the right hand side, as a back up option for both right back and right midfield.

Photo by Rex

Neither signing made the squad for Saturday's Sapling Cup clash with RCFC.
Kitchee won handsomely, keeping a clean sheet in front of less than three hundred fans. Russell's header got the ball rolling, with Jantscher grabbing a first half brace. In the second half goals from Temirov and Mikael rounded off the scoring, and sixteen year old Yu Ching Wai came on to make his debut in defence.

Photo by Richard

Hong Kong made their return to the Asian Cup against the United Arab Emirates on Sunday night, losing 3-1. Four Kitchee players started the match- Gerbig, Shinichi, Lok and Poon. Gerbig's unintended handball handed the UAE the initiative, who converted the resulting penalty to lead 1-0 at half time. Soon after the break former Kitchee player Philip Chan drew Kitchee level, before another goal from the UAE soon after handed them the advantage once again. Hong Kong battled hard, but in stoppage time Shinichi was controversially adjudged to have fouled the UAE attacker. Penalty awarded, penalty converted- 3-1 to the UAE. Former Kitchee academy player Michael Udebuluzor had the ball in the net late on, but another VAR decision (potentially the worst of the night) ruled it out for a handball in the build up. Helio and Juninho both missed out through injury, and will hope to feature this weekend against Iran.

Club captain Huang Yang announced his international retirement prior to Hong Kong's Sunday night game. He finishes with seventy one caps (second all time for Hong Kong), twenty four of those as captain. He is the second Kitchee player to announce his international retirement this season, following Andy Russell in November.

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