MINNOWS Kui Tan will be hoping to capitalise on Sing Tao's weakened line-up when they attempt to negotiate their Esso FA Cup first-round hurdle at Mongkok Stadium tonight. Having completed their league fixtures, Kui Tan must win if they are to extend their season further as the last domestic trophy of the season gets under way. And they may have the edge against a team who will be without first-choice goalkeeper Harvey Lim and striker John Moore who was last night handed a two-match suspension. Reserve goalkeeper Cheng Wing-keung, who made an encouraging debut in Sing Tao's league match against Happy Valley last week, will be in the firing line once again as Lim is still out with a neck injury. Moore, who has been on target 10 times this season, was handed his two-match ban by the disciplinary committee for his red-card offence during last month's Viceroy Cup semi-final against South China, which South China, the eventual champions, won 1-0. With Moore out, Sing Tao will sruggle to put together a decent forward line. They have de-registered left-back Ian Docker for winger Chan Hoi-yin, who will be joined in attack by Wai Kwan-hung. Meanwhile, South China team manager Wong Man-wai is hoping the HKFA disciplinary committee will reconsider their actions on skipper Ku Kam-fai and right winger Loh Wai-chi, who were each handed a one-match ban last night. The committee suspended three South China players in all but Wong is hoping Ku and Loh's suspensions can be cancelled because they would be without three key players for their Esso FA Cup first-round match against Happy Valley on Sunday. A one-match ban was also handed to South China midfielder Shum Kwok-pui. In all, 10 First Division players were suspended with Sing Tao's Moore and Instant-Dict striker Graham Harvey receiving two-match bans. Eastern's Ross Greer, Tam Siu-wai and Brian Hayes and Instant-Dict's Roddy Manley and Leung Kin-bong were each suspended for one game.
