Injury riddled Citizen at the mercy of Tai Po in Senior shield
Citizen's executive director Calvin Pui Ho-wang admitted none of the team's regular forwards was fully fit for the cup final. "The coaching team is trying to fix the problem," said Pui. "All these injured players want to start because this is an important match, and we need to weigh all the options before making a final decision."
Citizen's hopes of winning the Canbo Senior Shield against Wofoo Tai Po at Hong Kong Stadium today have been hurt by a long injury list among the team's strike force.
Brazilians Paulo Carreiro and Detinho, Hong Kong international Sham Kwok-keung and Japanese Yuto Nakamura are all carrying injuries, while new signing Sandro is unavailable having already played for former club Sun Pegasus in the same tournament earlier this season.
"It's disappointing but we must overcome the problems if we want to lift the trophy," Pui said. "I am confident the players can rise to the challenge."
The Shield champions will be entitled to play in a four-team championship at the end of the season to secure one of two berths Hong Kong has for the 2014 AFC Cup.
Tai Po have never won the Shield and are also struggling in the First Division league, where they are second from bottom. "We want to create history for the club by winning the trophy," coach Cheung Po-chun said.
"We have no injury problems and the players are eager to prove themselves.
"On paper, Citizen are the better side, but anything can happen in a cup final."
Tai Po's African duo of Christian Annan and Alexander Akande are the two danger men, having scored 22 goals between them so far this season.
