Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuwait CityThree-time champions Kuwait SC cruised to a 6-0 win over Hong Kong’s Kitchee on Wednesday to all but confirm their place in the semi-finals of the 2015 AFC Cup.
Rogerinho scored twice while Fahad Al Enezi, Chadi Hammami, Vinicius Lopes and Ali Al Kandari were also on target as the home side notched up a comfortable margin of victory ahead of the second leg in Hong Kong on September 16.
Fantastic first half laid foundations of win says KSC coach
Kuwait SC – winners of the AFC Cup in 2009, 2012 and 2013 – were in imperious form and signalled their desire to reclaim the title won by compatriots Qadsia SC last season.
The Kuwaitis wasted little time making their intentions clear with Husain Al Shammari forcing Kitchee goalkeeper Guo Jianqiao into a fine save after just six minutes with a well-struck free kick from range.
Gao’s heroics, though, were soon forgotten when, just six minutes later, the keeper misread Fahad Shaheen’s long punt forward, missing the ball to allow Rogerinho to stroll in and knock the ball into an unguarded net.
Kitchee’s Juan Belencoso almost provided the perfect repost seconds later at the other end, only for Musan Al Kandari to prove equal to the task by pushing the ball clear for a corner.
By the 21st minute Kuwait SC had doubled their lead when Abdullah Al Buraiki’s perfect pass curled behind the Kitchee defence and into the path of Al Enezi, who made no mistake with his low shot.
Belencoso again went close just before halftime when he headed over the bar, but deep into first-half stoppage time the Kuwaitis claimed their third when Al Buraiki’s cross from the left was pushed over the line by Hammami via a deflection off the visiting defence.
Seven minutes after the restart the pain continued for Kitchee when Rogerinho claimed his second and his team’s fourth after Hammami and Al Buraiki linked up before providing the Brazilian with the opportunity to score.
With eight minutes remaining a foul by Guo saw referee Crishantha Perera point to the spot and Vinicius struck, giving the goalkeeper no chance and virtually eliminating Kitchee’s hopes of a second straight semi-final appearance.
And with the game in injury time Al Kandari completed the rout with a first-time finish from inside the penalty area that Guo could do little to stop.
Photo: WSG