An explosive game is on the cards when South China and Sing Tao meet in the Regional Council Cup final at the Yuen Long Stadium tonight.
Eleven days after their stormy 4-4 draw in the preliminary round, the sides meet again.
Both sides are confident of lifting the pre-season trophy and enter the match considerably strengthened since their last encounter which ended with Sing Tao striker Glyn Hodges and South China goalkeeper Werner Kooistra sent off for fighting.
South China were then missing defenders Yau Kin-wai and Ku Kam-fai but the duo are expected to take their usual places in the Caroliners' back line.
Sing Tao will also be fielding a different lineup since the last encounter. The Tigers' were missing defenders Paul Masefield and Chan Chi-keung through injury and English centre back Rudi Hedman because of suspension. All three defenders have been included in the back four.
Sing Tao coach Chan Hung-ping is confident his side will test South China and provide his side with their first trophy since winning the Senior Challenge Shield during the 1991-92 season. They have enough incentive being on a $100,000 team bonus.
'With Masefield, Chan Chi-keung and Hedman playing this time, our defence will be considerably strengthened. We have taller players than South China and we should hold our own in the air. I am confident we will put up a better performance especially in defence,' said Chan.
