Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Hong Kong: Two-time AFC Cup champions Al Faisaly will not be taking anything for granted and will be on full alert for the return leg of their quarter-final clash against Kitchee in Amman next week according to coach Ali Kumekh despite winning Tuesday’s first leg 2-1 in Hong Kong.
Tulio Souza (Tulio Gustavo Cunha Souza) and Ra’ed Fraeh scored in each half as Al Faisaly held onto victory at Mong Kok Stadium despite being reduced to 10 men for the last half an hour after defender Mohammad Khamees was shown a red card.
“We won well today and I’m very proud of my players, but Kitchee are a good side and we will not be taking them lightly even though we have the upper hand right now,” Kumekh said.
“This is football where anything can happen. If they score an early goal in the return leg, the pressure will be on us.
“I’m sure they must be hurting from this defeat and they will bounce back. We will have to make sure that we are able to complete this and advance to the semi-finals.”
Al Faisaly, who won the AFC Cup title in both 2005 and 2006, showed a lot of skill and composure on the ball, creating attacks which put the home team’s defence under pressure.
The high-tempo match also led to Kitchee giving away possession easily and they were punished with both of Al Faisaly’s goals coming from defensive blunders by the home team.
“We played very well, and I’m happy with the result. But I felt we could have done more and scored more goals. Two wasn’t enough. We could have sealed the result of this quarter-final tie in Hong Kong,” added Kumekh.
“Now we must go back and prepare to face a side which will be smarting from this defeat. They will be dangerous and we will have to play well. But I’m confident we can wrap it up.”
The winners of the tie will meet either Al Shorta of Syria and Al Qadisia of Kuwait in the semi-finals next month.
“Our aim is to go all the way to the final and then win it,” said Kumekh.
“We want to lift the trophy again and I’m confident we can do it.”
Photo: WSG