VAR plays its part as Kitchee defend their title- Senior Shield review

Article by Adam O'Domhnaill

Team news

Photo by Richard

For the first time since the last ACL match, Kitchee had their Hong Kong internationals available, following the Asian Cup. Paulo made a return to the pitch for the first time since the end of November, but Shinichi's injury ruled him out. Having been injured prior to going away with Hong Kong, Juninho made his first Kitchee appearance since the Senior Shield semi final in mid November.

Paulo; Roberto, Gerbig, Helio (c), Fernando (Law 19); Scott (Russell 105), Cleiton, Mikael (Lok 89); Igor (Juninho 74), Jantscher (Poon 89), Mingazow

Match highlights

Photo by Edmund

The opening stages of the match were cagey, with few chances and the one event of note being Fernando going off with a shoulder injury. The Kitchee left back landed awkwardly early on, and despite his best efforts to carry on, his match came to an end before twenty minutes had been played. With Shinichi Chan out injured, TC Law was brought on out of position, just after Eastern had a goal ruled out for offside. Cleiton had a shot blocked after good work down the left, but Eastern had the better chances, with Noah Baffoe's pace and Paulo's shaky distribution causing us problems. The best chance of the half fell to Eastern's Leung Kwun-chung, whose long shot was tipped onto and over the bar by Paulo. 

Photo by Scoop

The second half saw both sides have good chances, with both goalkeepers being regularly called upon to keep the scores level. Baffoe continued to cause problems for Kitchee's defence, but Helio's last ditch effort denied him. With fifteen minutes of normal time to go, Helio was given a second yellow card for defence, and with Kitchee down to ten men Charlie Scott dropped into centre back. Paulo continued to keep Kitchee level, before Roberto's high foot gave Eastern a penalty, and began an incredibly dramatic last ten minutes. Gondra's effort was saved, before Kozubayev scored the follow-up. But VAR intervened, citing players entering the box too early, meaning a retake was required. After a change of taker, Leung Kwun-chung stepped up and scored, and Eastern almost doubled their advantage soon after from a corner. As stoppage time began, Mingazow's shot hit the hand of Kozubayev, and VAR gave Kitchee a penalty, and Kozubayev a second yellow card. With Mikael having been subbed, Charlie Scott stepped up, and like Eastern's first effort it was saved, with the rebound being scored by Poon. Another VAR check showed more early player movement before the kick, and so for the second time this match, the penalty was retaken. Scott stepped up again, scored, and we were into extra time, with both sides down to ten men.

Photo by Scoop

The first half of extra time was uneventful, with both sides going hard at it with limited clearcut chances. Scott was withdrawn for the experience of Andy Russell at centre back halfway through, and within a minute Russell had been taken out by the energetic Noah Baffoe. The striker was given a second yellow (upgraded by VAR to a straight red) and it was ten against nine with fifteen minutes left. Both sides continued to go at it, with memories of last year's penalties fresh in the minds of players and staff. With ninety seconds remaining, Cleiton backheeled the ball into the path of Mingazow, whose low first time effort curled into the corner. This sparked jubilant scenes amongst players, staff and fans. Eastern had one more chance from a corner, but Kitchee held on to defend their title. A late winner, two retaken penalties, fifteen yellow cards and three red cards. What a game.

Fans feedback

Photo by Edmund

Relief. A long way from a perfect performance from Kitchee, but the experience won out. Kitchee responded well to the Eastern pressure, especially when down to ten men. Paulo's return was crucial, with his saves keeping Kitchee in the game. His first half distribution was shaky, as he made his first appearance for nearly three months. Kitchee dug deep, adapting to Fernando's injury and Helio's red card with Law and Scott playing out of position. Fans had been critical of the lack of substitutions as the game went on, but keeping experienced players on the pitch, and being able to bring on experience were in stark contrast to Eastern's young subs. Noah Baffoe caused a lot of problems for Kitchee's defence; yet again when opponents have a quick striker, Kitchee sometimes struggle to deal with the threat, as exposed in the ACL. Igor Sartori's selection ahead of Temirov was queried by the fanbase, and the Brazilian's form has been below average for a while. Kitchee were overrun in midfield at times, with Eastern bringing energy and tenacity that Kitchee's Brazilians did not have. Withdrawing Mikael and Jantscher at 1-0 down seemed a strange move at the time, but Lok came on and calmed down the play in midfield, and Poon's pace stretched the depleted Eastern defence in extra time. Overall, Kitchee's big game experience was crucial in the end, and another trophy can be added to the cabinet.

What's next

Kitchee next play Rangers in the Hong Kong Premier League on the 17th February at 6pm. Despite this being the 'away' game, the HKFA have scheduled this for Mong Kok Stadium. We will be without Helio through suspension, and potentially Shinichi and Fernando through injury. See you there.

Scoop's other photos can be found here Instagram Facebook

Keep in touch with us via social media.
Instagram 
Facebook