Late equaliser all but confirms a first trophyless season in well over a decade- Eastern 1 Kitchee 1

Credits to Jarly

A late Eastern equaliser pretty much condemned Kitchee to the first trophyless season in fifteen years,with a Sapling Cup exit and a miracle required in the league. With seven players away with Hong Kong's senior and under 22 teams, six teenagers were promoted to the first team squad, with three making their debuts at Siu Sai Wan. Jay Haddow's goal early in the second half gave Kitchee the lead, but the common theme of Kitchee failing to take their chances gave Eastern hope, with an 86th minute equaliser knocking Kitchee out.

Team news

Six teenagers were promoted to first team squad, with seven players away with Hong Kong at senior and youth levels. There were six changes to the starting line up, with Tuscany, Helio, Jordan Lam, Jay Haddow, and debutants Cheung Yiu-hin and Li Siu-hin coming in. Lam Pak-yin came on at half time for his debut, and Welthon made his first appearance in weeks after recovering from concussion when he came on late on. New teenagers Pang Hing-lun and Yiu Tsz-leong were unused subs, alongside Yu Ching-wai, who played one minute in this competition last season.

Line up: Tuscany; Law, Helio, Dantas, Jordan; Haddow (Bae 78) Rey, Li; Cheung (Lam 45), Temirov (Welthon 82), Machado

Unused subs: Wang, Lung, Poon, Buddle, Yeung, Pang, Yu, Yiu

Match events

Credits to Kitchee

Noah Baffoe, whose pace has caused Kitchee constant problems in recent meetings, blasted a shot over early on, before Luis Machado had a shot blocked. An inviting cross from Jordan Lam couldn't be turned by one of many bodies, and debutant Li Siu-hin went close from long range. Kitchee were probably the better team at halfway, and hoped to push on in the second half.

Credits to Kitchee

At half time Lam Pak-yin came on for his debut, replacing Cheung Yiu-hin. In the opening exchanges, a lovely cross from Jordan Lam found Temirov, whose header was saved, and in trying to reach the rebound was kicked in the head by Mitrovic, the Eastern centre back. Machado played a freekick into the box, which got a Kitchee touch onto the post, but couldn't be forced in on the rebound. Kitchee's sustained pressure paid off, as Jordan's corner was flicked on by Temirov to find Jay Haddow at the back post, giving the youngster his first senior goal. A smart save from Tuscany to deny Gondra's long range effort kept Kitchee ahead despite increasing Eastern pressure, and Kitchee were handed a golden opportunity to double the lead when Callum Hall gave the ball away. Temirov, Li and Machado bore down on goal, but Machado shot straight at the goalkeeper. This came back to haunt Kitchee as minutes later Eastern equalised. Kitchee did not deal with a long throw and despite suspicions of offside in the build up young winger Gao Ming-ho was left unmarked at the back post. Welthon had a good chance late on from a header, but despite getting free he headed into the ground and it was cleared. 

Fans feedback

Credits to Kitchee

Yet another missed opportunity with a late goal conceded. Kitchee had played well until that stage, but an inability to finish chances will haunt us again. Machado and Rey wasted amazing opportunities, and on more than one occasion Kitchee had the ball in the box without anyone able to get the ball in. Cardoso was again reluctant to use subs, only making one before the 78th minute, and as fans we can guess that the significantly reduced gametime for Poon Pui-hin and Cheng Chin-lung means they are out the door in the summer. Jay Haddow impressed, getting a goal to round off a frustrating first season, as injuries and a delay in his Hong Kong passport limiting him to only ten games so far. In holding midfield he was all over the pitch, using his recovery pace to bail out mistakes from his teammates. Tuscany Shek made some good saves in goal, and his distribution has improved as the season has gone on, being a major beneficiary of the U22 league. Kitchee's debutants all looked assured; seventeen year old Li Siu-hin (who scored the opener at Kai Tak for the U22s) played the full 90 and had a good effort from range, while sixteen year olds Cheung Yiu-hin and Lam Pak-yin brought energy down the right hand side, and we hope to see more of them next season.

Credits to Kitchee

Diego Bardanca's contract has been terminated, with the defender not featuring in the league for five months, and at all for the last three. The Filipino centre back's flaws were recognised early on, with Dantas being brought in to replace him. It had also been reported that Welthon's contract had been terminated as well, but the sight of him on the Kitchee bench proved these rumours to be false (some say the termination was offered but declined).

Credits to Jarly

Earlier this week, Hong Kong beat Macau 2-0, with Leon Jones scoring his first international goal in the first half, while playing seventy six minutes. Juninho was rested to prepare for the crucial qualifier in Singapore on Tuesday, with Ngan Cheuk-pan playing the full match, and Fernando withdrawn at half time with Tuesday in mind. A lacklustre and uninspiring performance from Hong Kong but it extends the winning run to seven. Hong Kong's under 22s had a 0-0 and a 2-2 draw in friendlies with Myanmar, with Matthew Slattery, Chen Ngo-hin and Jason Kam all started one game and came on in the other. Kitchee loanee Sohgo Ichikawa scored in the second game, as did former Kitchee academy striker Michael Udebuluzor.

Baring a miracle, this will be Kitchee's first trophyless season since 2009/10, and if we ignore the Community Cup/Shield it was 2008/09. Fan thinking that Cardoso took on Kitchee in season one of a rebuild has gone on the backburners, given the scarce opportunities given to younger players.

What's next

Credits to Jarly

Kitchee travel to Southern on Saturday, a 3pm kick off in Aberdeen. The season is basically a write off, so as fans we hope to see more minutes for young players, as they are more likely to be around next season. Hong Kong's qualifier on Tuesday is on RTHK 32 at 8.30pm, and we hope Kitchee's four players can contribute to a win.

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Thanks to Jarly for photos. Please check out his page here and follow him.

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