Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hong Kong: Last season’s AFC Cup semi-finalists Kitchee routed competition new boys Balestier Khalsa of Singapore 3-0 in their Group F opener at Mong Kok Stadium on Tuesday night.
Kitchee midfielder Xu Deshuai opened the scoring on 20 minutes, with Ngan Lok Fung doubling the lead midway through the second half and Jordi Tarres sealing the victory seconds before the end of normal time.
“We had control of the game and a lot of chances to score,” said Kitchee coach Jose Molina. “In defence, we controlled very well and didn’t give them many chances. And we can be very happy with the result.
“We had a very good first step, and we have five more steps and we will try to win each match. But the most important thing now is to get to the last 16. That’s the main aim now, but it must be step by step.”
Hong Kong champions Kitchee were without suspended club captain Lo Kwan Yee and fellow defender Fernando Recio, who was sidelined with a foot injury, but nevertheless stamped their authority on the match from the outset.
Stand-in captain Lam Ka Wai neatly pulled the strings in the centre of the park, deftly spreading the ball out to the wings as soon as play got congested, while midfield partner Emmet Wan hovered a little deeper, collecting possession from defence and neatly threading it forward.
Kitchee winger Xu was a constant menace, and almost embarrassed Balestier Khalsa goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam in the sixth minute when his in-swinging cross from the left almost dipped under the away team’s crossbar.
And it was Xu who opened the scoring on 20 minutes, picking up a headed clearance just inside the away team's penalty area and rifling a left foot shot past Nizam’s despairing dive and into the roof of the net.
Balestier Khalsa secured their maiden AFC Cup place by winning last year’s Singapore Cup, but the debutants struggled from the outset as the midfield frequently squandered possession and Croatian striker Miroslav Kristic was visibly incensed by the poor service provided.
The visitors had to wait until the 32nd minute for their first meaningful chance when Kristic pulled the ball back to Poh Yi Feng just outside the Kitchee box, but the 28-year-old midfielder’s curling effort sailed just over Wang Zhenpeng’s crossbar.
Kitchee striker Juan Belencoso was the AFC Cup top scorer last season with 11 goals, and almost opened his account for this season's competition on 54 minutes when he flashed a header from a corner narrowly wide.
Belencoso went close again on 63 minutes, poking the ball agonisingly past the post after substitute Chueng Kwong Ming’s low cross from the left.
And the the 33-year-old Spaniard was instrumental when Kitchee doubled their lead on 67 minutes as his fierce, low shot drew an instinctive save from Nizam, but the goalkeeper was helpless as Ngan slammed the rebound emphatically into his empty net.
Kitchee’s victory was cemented in the final phases as a lofted through-ball from the left wing on 89 minutes was slammed home on the half-volley by the impressive Tarres.
“Our players need more understanding as half of the team is new,” said Balestier Khalsa assistant coach Darimosuvito Tokijan.
“There were a few mistakes at the back and I think anxiety got the better of them. They need to understand each other more.
“I think the spirit is there and they tried hard. Overall, I’m happy with some of the player’s performance and their fighting spirit.”