Kitchee move closer to Hong Kong Premier League title after defeating Wong Tai Sin
Champions are almost certain of winning their second top-tier championship after latest victory
Barring a major disaster in their remaining three matches, Kitchee will be crowned the inaugural Hong Kong Premier League champions later this month.
Kitchee spelt out the bad news to their rivals after they picked up another three points after a scrappy 2-0 win over Wong Tai Sin on Tuesday.
Unless we lose all our remaining matches and Eastern win all theirs, we won't win the league. But this is unlikely
It might not have been pretty to watch at Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground but Kitchee made sure that they are now in an almost unassailable position of claiming a successive top-tier championship.
Kitchee lead second-placed Eastern by five points and with just three games left in the campaign for both teams - Kitchee are on 32 points - it would take a brave man to bet against the champions picking up more major silverware.
The other clubs - Sun Pegasus, South China and YFCMD, who occupy third to fifth positions respectively - have now no hope of catching Kitchee and club boss Ken Ng Kin was understandably a happy man.
"We are very confident [of winning the league title]," said Ng. "It's a big relief that we have won today. Unless we lose all our remaining matches and Eastern win all theirs, we won't win the league. But this is unlikely."
The defending champions had to thank midfield powerhouse Lam Ka-wai, who made the difference after a barren first half when they were under pressure from the home team. Lam scored an opportunistic goal after fellow teammate Jorge Tarres failed to control a Xu Deshuai cross inside the box and Lam made no mistake with a half volley six minute into the second half.
Kitchee's Juan Belencoso missed a penalty in first-half stoppage time, but it didn't matter in the end as winger Xu extended the scoring in the 65th minute, hitting a superb free kick.
