Ng, the vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Football Association, has already informed the Kitchee Sports Club of his intention to resign as the main financial backer of the team.

This year the club have spent around $6.5 million and Ng is hoping to pull off a major sponsorship deal with a Swedish drinks manufacturer which may lead to a change of name for Kitchee next season.

''Everything should be clear by May 20, which is the deadline for me to negotiate a deal,'' said Ng.

''I must also get the approval of Kitchee Sports Club to sign up the sponsor. If we can make an agreement we will be able to build a stronger team for next season.

''Whether I will be running the team is still unclear because I have a lot of commitments with the FA and my business. I may keep in the background next season.'' Kitchee had 10 foreign players on their books until they released Brazilians Antonyo and Rogerio on Thursday night.

The remaining eight must wait until the FA Cup is over before they know if they will be offered a contract for next season.

One player they will be keen to retain is experienced midfielder Mick Matthews, the natural leader of the team. Always available to the player in possession, Matthews can control the midfield with his accurate distribution and organising skills.

He was the pick of the players on display last night and helped Kitchee stay on top.

They took the lead with a soaring header from midfielder Wu Yiu-kwok in the 27th minute and doubled their lead in the 37th minute through right-winger Yeung Hei-chi.

The second goal had an element of luck about it as Yeung's long-range shot bounced awkwardly in front of Sing Tao's reserve team 'keeper, Cheng Wing-keung, who could only push the ball into the corner of the net.

After the break, Sing Tao stepped up the pace but were let down by poor finishing.

In their last eight league and cup games, Sing Tao have scored only three times, including two penalties from Chu Yue-tai. The former South China midfielder got on the scoresheet in the last minute last night after a handball by Kitchee's towering central defender, Damian Webber, who had an otherwise commanding game in the air.

Sing Tao left-winger Alan Chan Tsz-kong and midfielder David Clarkson both failed to find the target after good approach play and Sing Tao were forced to push their powerful sweeper, Lai Law-kau, into the forward line to try and unsettle the Kitchee defence.

Sing Tao, meanwhile, have the dashing midfielder Clarkson under contract for next season and look like securing a deal with their skipper and centre forward, John Moore, who missed last night's match because of suspension.

The professional football career of Moore's strike-partner, John Clare, looks to be over, however, after a series of knee injuries over the last 16 months.

Goalkeeper Harvey Lim, left-back Ian Docker, central defender Richard Lant and mainland winger Chen Heixin have not heard if the club wants to keep them next season.

Kitchee boss Ng had good news for the 156 supporters who attended last night's match.

During the half-time break, Ng announced that fans could exchange their Sing Tao-Kitchee match ticket for a ticket for the FA's 80th anniversary game between the Hong Kong League XI and English FA Cup finalists Chelsea at the Hong Kong Stadium on May 22.

Sing Tao (4-5-1): Cheng Wing-keung (Ngau Pak-yung, 77); Choy Wai-man, Lai Law-kau, Richard Lant, Wong Kok-yan; Lau Chi-yuen, Tam Ah-fook, David Clarkson, Chu Yue-tai, Alan Chan Tsz-kong; Wai Kwan-lung (How Yiu-pun, 84).

Kitchee (4-5-1): Chung Ho-yin; Nigal Lee (Fong Chi-ming, 46), Yau Kin-wai, Damian Webber, Chan Hon-fai; Yeung Hei-chi, Mick Matthews, Tang Kwok-yan (Chan Ho-yin, 70), Wu Yiu-kwok, Yeung Ching-kwong; Lee Bullen.

Man of the Match: Mick Matthews (Kitchee) - Ran the show.