KOWLOON Cricket Club A open their Hong Kong First Division hockey campaign today uncertain whether they have the qualities to repeat their treble success of last season.
KCC ended one-time kings Shaheen's reign at the top of the Hong Kong hockey ladder by winning the league, the Holland Cup and the Guru Nanak Trophy all in one memorable season.
But captain and midfielder Ishtiaq Khan isn't sure whether the team can pull off another trophy haul as they take on old rivals Nav Bharat A in their season opener at Happy Valley today.
Having undergone several key changes in the run-up to the new season, Khan is adamant that KCC should not expect to enjoy the same kind of success which made them the division's most dominant team of 1999.
Former Dutch captain Feico Buijs has returned to the Netherlands, leaving a gap at the centre of their attack.
Striker Jaime Collaco, who served the Cricketers well for several seasons, has returned to Shaheen.
However, KCC have acquired several top players - ironically from arch-rivals Shaheen.