Depleted Xiangxue Sun Hei face a daunting task when they take on Perlis of Malaysia in group E of the AFC Cup at Mongkok Stadium tonight.
Having lost their last game 1-0 to Home United of Singapore at home, Sun Hei can hardly afford another defeat if they are to reach the next stage. Last season, they reached the semi-finals.
Coach Koo Luam Khen is struggling to field a competitive team with only 14 players available for the match.
'It is unbelievable that we have such a limited number of players to choose from,' said Koo. 'It is always tough in the AFC Cup and tomorrow will be tougher under such poor circumstances.'
Forward Julius Akosah has been suspended after receiving his marching orders in the last match against Home United, while Hong Kong international midfielder Lai Kai-cheuk also sits out for accumulating two yellow cards in the tournament.
Akosah is one of the three overseas players registered for the Cup and cannot be replaced. The other two are Cristiano Cordeiro and Fladimir Freitas. Three other regulars, goalkeeper Domingos Chan, a Macau international, defender Andre Hartwig and striker Jonathan Moeller, are therefore ineligible.
