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Friday, May 25, 2018, 18:20
Kitchee set to finish a close-to-perfect season
By Tobias Zuser
Friday, May 25, 2018, 18:20 By Tobias Zuser

Kitchee won the Sapling Cup for the first time this year and aim to win the treble this weekend. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKFA)

After claiming both league championship and Sapling Cup for themselves, Kitchee might deliver this weekend on their pre-season promise to win the treble. On Saturday, May 26th, they will take on Tai Po in the FA Cup final at Hong Kong Stadium, which also marks the ultimate game of the 2017/18 season. 

Except for one tiny slip-up in December 2017, when Kitchee lost to Yuen Long in extra-time and subsequently failed to win the prestigious Senior Shield trophy, the Bluewaves still can look back at an almost impeccable season that sees them remaining undefeated in the league for one and a half years. Despite their dominance, the squad might undergo some major changes in the summer. The contract of “Footballer of the Year” Krisztian Vadocz is reportedly still under negotiations. The Hungarian midfielder received another honor this week, when he was called into the national team for the upcoming friendly games with Australia and Belarus. In addition, club icons such as Lo Kwan-yee and Lam Ka-wai are expected to move to other clubs where they would still be key players, as they have been struggling to find their way into Kitchee’s starting eleven in recent months.  

Last weekend Kitchee proved their status once again in the Sapling Cup Final, when they edged out Tai Po with a 2-1 victory. Played on one of the hottest days of the year so far, it was a surprisingly even match, with the district team challenging the league champions almost until the very end. However, the Bluewaves showed their class in the last minutes of the game, when Brazilian left winger Fernando scored two consecutive goals. Leung Kwun-chung pulled one back for Tai Po with a header in the 93rd minute, but by then it was already too late for a comeback. It was the first time that Kitchee won the Sapling Cup tournament, which requires teams to field at least two U22 players at any given time. 

Kitchee's Fernando (right) turned into the match winner of the Sapling Cup. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKFA)

Both teams meet again this weekend for the FA Cup final, however, this time with no age restrictions in place. This will definitely increase the advantage for Kitchee who have plenty of options to field a strong and in-form starting eleven whether it is the first or the last matchday of the season. At least there is little pressure involved for Tai Po, who already claimed the runners-up position in the league to make their campaign an unexpected success. And if luck is on their side, they might be able to cause an upset on Saturday as well. 

Meanwhile, team and transfer news for next season have started to make the round. In a surprise move, Yuen Long announced that they would not have to withdraw from the Premier League, as previously expected. The details of the new financial back-up have not been revealed yet, but the HKFA has already been informed about the new situation. However, Yuen Long will still find themselves in a difficult situation next year, as by now they have lost most of their key staff and players to other teams, including dangerman Everton Camargo and coach Tsang Chiu-tat. The latter is expected to assist Chan Hiu-ming next season to turn Lee Man into a title-contending side. 

Southern also announced several changes, with Diego Garrido leaving the squad, while Yuen Long midfielder Ticao and Rangers defender Marko Krasic have joined the team as new signings. The loan of Philip Chan Siu-kwan, who came from Eastern in the second half of the season, will not be extended. 

After a disappointing year for the Blues, Eastern have been very keen on bolstering their squad. Former coach Chan Yuen-ting has reportedly been sent to Europe to scout new foreign players, while Everton Camargo and Walter Soares Jr. from Yuen Long have already been confirmed to join. 

Meanwhile, it has also been confirmed that the Hong Kong Football Club, who won the semi-professional 1st Division by a huge margin, will not seek promotion to the Premier League this year. Instead, the application of Hoi King has been approved. The newly founded team, who have gained some support from Red Bull in the past, will be a new addition in Hong Kong’s top flight next season, while Rangers are set to face relegation to the 1st Division under current rules.


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