Michelotti attempt to overcome Walsh blow
MICHELOTTI will be without striker Alan Walsh for today's Hongkong FA Cup first round tie against British Forces at Mongkok Stadium.
Walsh, formerly with Middlesbrough, Darlington and Bristol City in England, suffered a back injury in a league game against Forces eight days ago but would have missed today's tie anyway, through suspension.
Four of Walsh's six goals this season have been against Forces - three in a 6-1 victory on December 17 and one last week, when he also set up the other for Leung Shing-kit in a 2-0 win at Shamshuipo.
Walsh and strike-partner Tony Sealy have scored 13 of Michelotti's 21 goals in their 19 league and cup games this season and seven-goal Sealy will be partnered up front today by John Bottomley.
Central defender Richard Lant has scored four of Michelotti's other eight goals but he will be more concerned with keeping out the Forces today as two first-choice defenders are suspended - sweeper Wong Chi-fai and stopper Wong Chung-ming.
The winners play Eastern in the quarter-finals.
In the second first-round tie of a double-header today, relegation rivals Kui Tan meet Happy Valley.
Valley will go into the match with a psychological advantage after beating Kui Tan 2-1 in a league game 10 days ago. South China await the winners in the quarter-finals.
