A win in mainland China, Sapling Cup underway, and two friendly wins for Hong Kong

Kitchee have not had a league game for almost three weeks, but in this time have travelled to China for a friendly, and got their Sapling Cup campaign underway. Six members of Kitchee's squad were on international duty as Hong Kong won both friendlies, as Ashley Westwood's side became the first Hong Kong team to win three games in a row since 2016.

Kitchee first played China League One side Guangxi Pingguo Haliao in a friendly, coming out 4-1 winners. A near full-strength side (only missing the injured Tan Chun-lok and a couple of rested players) ventured north. Poon Pui-hin opened the scoring before Guangxi equalised, with a long range effort from Ngan Cheuk-pan and a goal from Temirov putting Kitchee 3-1 up at half time. Kitchee scored a fourth in the second half through an own goal, and got minutes in the tank during the break between competitive fixtures.

Sapling Cup

Kitchee travelled to Sheung Shui for their first game in the Sapling Cup, with six players away with Hong Kong and Jay Haddow ruled out with an injury, which will see him out for a few weeks. Luis Machado was rested having played every competitive game this season, and Tan Chun-lok, ruled out of international duty through injury, was not fit . There was a first competitive senior appearance of the season for club captain Helio, and youngsters Tuscany and Jason Kam. Chen Ngo-hin was Kitchee's other U22 player from the off, while teenagers Tom Yeung and Wesley Chan (on debut) came on in the second half. Welthon's first half goal was soon levelled, and the match proved largely uneventful. Fans were glad to see Helio return, as well as young players being regularly used. Tom Yeung looked bright off the bench, and Temirov was a workhorse as always.

Tuscany; Jason (Yeung 66), Helio (c), Dantas (Bardanca 46); Bae, Lung(Law 82), Rey; Jordan; Temirov, Welthon (Mingazow 66), Chen (Wesley 66)

Unused subs: Wang, Buddle

Now for Hong Kong news, as they beat the Philippines 3-1 and Mauritius 1-0. Tan Chun-lok was ruled out through injury, while Leon Jones and Juninho played all 180 minutes across both games. Fernando and Ngan Cheuk-pan started both games, while Poon Pui-hin and Matthew Slattery (the latter a very surprise callup, after zero minutes this season) were unused in both games. Juninho got an assist in the first game, but Hong Kong were perhaps fortunate to come away with a win in the second game. Mauritius, who were down to ten men for nearly fifty minutes, had a late equaliser controversially ruled out for offside, as the second half was painful to watch at times from a Hong Kong perspective, with a number of backwards and sideways passes.

Some of our fans are fundraising for charity throughout this month, moving as much distance as possible, and so far have walked or run nearly 500km already. More details are on our social media pages. If you'd like to support our efforts, please use the following links:

Movember 

Hong Kong Cancer Fund

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Thanks to Scoop for photos Facebook Instagram