Rangers and South China facing do-or-die showdown

Buler Rangers and South China clash in a crucial league match at Mongkok Stadium this afternoon that could prove the turning point in their title aspirations. But first, both teams have obstacles of their own to overcome.

The two teams are level on 17 points and trail league leaders Sun Hei by five points with four games to go. A win will see the winners close the gap to two points, but losing will almost certainly mean dropping out of the title race.

Rangers team manager Philip Lee Fai-lap said: 'The match is as important as a cup knockout match. Even dropping points by drawing will probably see both teams out of the title race.'

The match will be the first competitive outing for both sides since the Carlsberg Cup - and the annual Chinese New Year showcase has had an effect on their preparations. Rangers are worried about their teamwork after several of their players, plus their South Korean player-assistant coach Kim Pan-gon, trained with the Hong Kong League XI.

'We played a friendly with Double Flowers the other day and to be honest our teamwork was not really satisfactory.' said Lee. 'Sure, playing with the best players will improve our players who were selected to represent Hong Kong, but being generally younger and less experienced means it takes us longer to re-group and play as a team.'

But even if teamwork is lacking, Lee said Rangers could still rely on their trademark energetic play and take whatever South China threw at them. 'We are having two training sessions a day,' he said. 'Also Kim Pan-gon is known for his disciplined approach so even during the Chinese New Year period our players made sure they ate the right things and had enough rest. I think our players are in better physical conditions than any other team in the league.'