EASTERN can clinch the third leg of a possible four-trophy grand slam when they meet arch-rivals South China in the Viceroy Cup final at Hongkong Stadium this afternoon.
Having already won the Camelpaint Challenge Shield and virtually wrapped up their first league title since 1956, Eastern go into the match as red-hot favourites to lift the Viceroy Cup for only the third time in the tournament's 24-year history.
Unbeaten in 19 league and cup games this season, Eastern will field a full-strength line-up for a match which is sure to attract a capacity crowd - there is a 21,000 limit - who will pay more than $1 million in gate receipts.
Five-time Viceroy Cup-winners South China, on the other hand, will be without their skipper and sweeper Chan Ping-on, who broke his left arm during their semi-final victory over Instant-Dict last Tuesday.
And there is a big question mark over the fitness of their recently recruited striker, Billy Whitehurst, who aggravated a groin injury after coming on as a second-half substitute in midweek.
In South China's favour, though, will be the support of the majority of the spectators as the Caroliners make their second appearance in six days at their ''home'' ground opposite the South China club in Caroline Hill Road.
