SOUTH China striker Alen Bajkusa has thrown down the gauntlet to opponents, saying: 'If we continue to play as well as we have lately, nobody can beat us.' The Caroliners, freshly crowned league championship first-stage winners, are full of confidence entering their Senior Challenge Shield first-round match with Happy Valley tonight.
It's the season's first major knockout competition and South China seem to have hit a peak just in time if recent performances are any indication. Six days ago they blasted one-time league title contenders Golden 6-0 at the Hong Kong Stadium to clinch the first stage of the league.
South China have never played better this season and they hope that form can hold when they take on disappointing Valley in a match which rivals Uhlsport-Rangers will be watching with eager anticipation.
Rangers complete the first stage of First Division matches by taking on rock bottom Club in the curtain-raiser of tonight's double-header.
Defending Shield champions Rangers drew a first-round bye and will meet the winners of the South China-Happy Valley tie on Friday.
Bajkusa, scorer of five goals this season, said: 'I don't think we will have a problem against Happy Valley. Now that we have our confidence back, we can really play well.